In the past, spas were primarily frequented by affluent women looking for a week's worth of pampering. Many of the services offered included facials, massages and body treatments. But today a new trend is being seen in the spa industry. It is a trend of health.

Today's spa has become a center of health and revitalization. A visit to a health spa can not only afford you the opportunity to get pampered, it may also help you recuperate after an illness. Here are just a few of the services offered at health spas:

* Rehabilitation - Instead of staying in a hospital for post operative care, many patients and hospitals have teamed up with health spas for post-op rehabilitation. Pools, hot tubs and exercise equipment all make recuperating from an injury or surgery at a health spa ideal. And who wouldn't rather stay in a five-star resort than in a double-occupancy hospital room? Not to mention, the food is a lot better.

* Pain management - Many spas are now offering pain management programs to help their patrons overcome and deal with chronic pain. And when you choose a health spa for pain management, you will be far from alone. Many spas have experts on hand to help you with all of your alternative pain management needs. Services can include therapeutic massage, acupuncture, heat therapy and much, much more.

* Weight loss and fitness - How does a week-long personal training session to help you get a head start on physical fitness sound? Add to that a nutrition specialist, and you could be looking at your very own body-shaping experience of a lifetime. After a week at a health spa where you focus on your entire health and body image, you will be well on your way to adapting a healthy lifestyle.

* Dental procedures - No, you didn't read wrong, you can get dental procedures at health spas. This is because health spas have recognized that going to the dentist can be very stressful and traumatic for some folks. Keeping this in mind, they have incorporated simple dental procedures into day-long packages of rest, relaxation and luxury. Imagine getting a relaxing full-body massage after getting your teeth cleaned. Now, that would make even the faintest of heart want to go to the dentist.

Stays at health spas are also more affordable than they've ever been before. A single person can get a package for as low as $1,500 for a four-day, three-night stay at certain resorts. Of course, if you stay longer, it will cost you more. On average, though, a four-night stay in a world class health spa will cost about $3,000. You can expect to spend $5,000 to $7,000 for a seven-night stay.

And if it sounds like a health spa is not the way to spend a vacation, you could not be more wrong. In addition to helping you heal your mind and body, health spas offer all of the relaxing amenities that traditional luxury spas offer.