Perceptions of leisure and complementary and alternative medicine among spa practitioners

The problem of the research was to determine the perceptions of leisure and Complementary and Alternative Medicine among spa practitioners. Both the leisure and health literature fail to adequately explain the relationship between leisure and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. More specifically, neither of the disciplines examines leisure as a dimension of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Spa practitioners may perceive that there is a relationship between leisure and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Practitioners are often the stimulus for researchers to broaden their areas of inquiry and understanding.;The current literature in leisure puts an emphasis on traditional leisure and recreational activities and how they can be beneficial to our health, but fails to look at how Complementary and Alternative Medicine can be just as beneficial to one's health.;A multi-site case study design of four different spas was conducted. Criterion and reputational-case sampling were used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews of spa practitioners, client surveys, and document analysis provided data triangulation for answering the research questions. Member checks, peer debriefing, detailed descriptions, and maintaining a chain of evidence served to ensure trustworthiness of the results.;Data were analyzed using a constant comparison method. Case study findings revealed that spa practitioners create a leisure experience through relaxation while providing therapeutic health benefits. Complementary and Alternative Medicine makes an important contribution to leisure, and leisure promotes health. The strong connection found between Complementary and Alternative Medicine and leisure may help leisure professionals and researchers to reframe the leisure research paradigm to include both the leisure and health needs of clients.