The heart of the fish therapy method is the fish called Garra rufa, the exact scientific classification of which is presented in the adjacent table. They are also found under the names doctor fish, kangal fish and nibble fish.
Their origin is from Middle Eastern countries and they are found in their natural environment mainly in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. They are freshwater fish and survive in temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. Their size reaches up to 7 cm and their life span ranges from 3 to 7 years, depending on the care provided to them and the maintenance of the aquarium.
They have learned to feed on many different kinds of food, mainly because of the difficulty they face in finding it in the places they come from. They have a particular preference for dead human skin cells, and the fact that they have no teeth makes this breeding process not only painless, but also enjoyable. They also have a high metabolism which leads them to constantly search for food.
The discovery of their medicinal properties took place at the beginning of the last century in the Kangal region of Turkey, where according to local legend a shepherd put his feet in a thermal spring where these fish thrive and found spectacular results. The first organized public spas in this area were built in 1963, while for many years the properties of Garra Rufa were unknown to the rest of the world. This was mainly due to Turkey's strict legislation, which prohibited their export to prevent commercial over-exploitation. It was only recently that they began to be bred in other countries, mainly those of Southeast Asia, and their use in spa centers began to spread throughout the world.
The benefits of Ichthyotherapy are significant and extend to many areas
It is a natural method of exfoliating dead cells, thus helping to create young skin and rejuvenate the skin
It provides a kind of micro massage to the body, which also helps in good blood circulation
The benefits for the special category of customers suffering from psoriasis are also important, with impressive results demonstrated by many scientific studies
It offers immediate results in terms of a pleasant and soft feeling on the client's feet, which he feels lighter and relieved. This is also the reason why very often fish therapy services are offered in large shopping malls, where people get tired of walking and are looking for ways to rest their feet.
In addition to all of the above, fish therapy is in itself an unprecedented and unique experience, particularly pleasant and entertaining for the client, which, in addition to physical, also offers him mental relaxation. Especially the first time most customers decide to try it for this very reason.
As far as hygiene is concerned, this is a vital part of this type of service, so at this point some details should be pointed out.
First of all, it must be clarified that these fish do not have teeth and therefore cannot injure people in any way. But there is another type of fish on the market (known as Tilapia or Chin Chin) with similar behavior to Garra Rufa, but they have teeth and bite.
The fish we use are certified Garra Rufa. They are certified by the competent authorities of the country of export, while there is also a corresponding health check upon their import. In other words, the high quality of the core element of the business is guaranteed.
In addition, the scientific researches that have been carried out to date and study fish therapy have not pointed out any side effects to the detriment of human health. As it is explicitly mentioned in a research by Austrian scientists, it is a safe treatment. Also, no case has been reported to date where a disease has been transferred from one aquarium user to the next, as stated in a press release from the Health Services of Great Britain:
The Public Health Protection Agency and the Health Service of Scotland have so far received no reports of contamination related to the use of fish spas in the UK.
The maintenance of the facility has a direct effect on hygiene issues, affecting both the customer and the well-being of the fish themselves. For this reason special attention is paid to the mechanisms of water purification since often the skill of maintaining an aquarium is described as "the art of keeping good water". The mechanisms we use meet all the prescribed hygiene standards, given that fish and people coexist in the facility.
To purify the water mainly from the volume of metabolic products of the fish, due to the constant consumption of dead cells and the limited space for their performance, both mechanical and chemical as well as biological filters of high quality and European manufacture are used. Their operation achieves the complete recycling and filtering of the water contained in the aquarium more than 3 times within an hour. Also, for the most effective removal of bacteria from the water, a special UV radiation filter is used that destroys 99.9% of them. In this way, crystal clear water and all hygiene standards are ensured.
Our company offers a set of integrated services and products to help its clients maximize their business profits with minimal effort. The packages we provide are among the most complete on the market and include everything related to the installation and proper operation of Fish Therapy units. The support for your new beginning is continuous, from the initial help in the configuration of the space and the location of the facilities to suggestions on marketing issues of the specific type of spa.
In more detail, after studying the floor plan of your space, the construction of the facilities follows according to the specifications he imposes. Equipment is shipped within 2-6 weeks, depending on availability and how early the order is placed before the start of the season. The units are then installed and put into operation.
The biological filter of the aquarium needs to work for a few days so that the water is ready to welcome the fish. After the water is "laid" and the best living conditions are ensured for our fish, we place them in the aquarium and the facility is now ready to be fully operational and start welcoming your customers.
But the care for your business does not stop here. For whatever you need, we will be in contact to ensure the correct operation of the equipment. At the same time, we also provide you with material for the promotion of fish therapy, so that you can increase the traffic of your store.
Our main goal is to better adapt to the requirements of each customer. For this reason, we are at your disposal to discuss the details of a potential partnership, and to help you stay ahead of the competition in a rapidly developing sector. Our values guarantee your responsible service: respect for the customer, quality orientation.
