novoTHOR recovery suite
performance recovery, in the wiltshire countryside
Some things at Bishopstrow are designed to slow you down. This one is designed to bring you back.
The Recovery Suite is home to the NovoTHOR - a full-body light bed that uses precisely dosed red and near-infrared light to support the body's own repair processes. It is the only whole-body device of its kind with independently researched and published clinical results, and it is cleared as a medical device in more than thirty countries.
It is used by professional sports teams, Olympic athletes and elite military units to shorten recovery time and improve readiness. It is used by our guests for much the same reasons: to ease aching joints, to reset after a long week, to feel less like they have been sitting at a desk for five days.
Very few hotels in the country offer it. Fewer still offer it with a garden spa on the other side of the door.
the benefits
the science
briefly..
Red and near-infrared light penetrates the body's tissue and reaches the mitochondria - the energy centres inside every cell. In response, cells produce more ATP, the fuel that powers repair, recovery and regeneration.
The process is called photobiomodulation. It has been studied for over twenty years, and THOR - the company behind NovoTHOR - is consulted by Harvard, MIT and the US Military on its application.
It is not a heat treatment, and it is not a sunbed. There are no UV rays, no tanning effect and no known side effects.
what is
photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a form of light therapy that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to trigger a biological response within cells. The light is absorbed by mitochondria - the energy-producing part of the cell - which boosts ATP production, improves circulation, and stimulates the body's natural repair processes. In simple terms: it helps cells work more efficiently, speeding up healing and reducing inflammation.
This technology is already well established across medicine, with numerous FDA-approved photo-therapy devices in use for wound healing, pain relief and aesthetic treatments, spanning medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, veterinary care and oncology.
Until now, though, this has mostly been delivered through handheld devices that only treat one small area at a time - making full-body treatment slow and impractical. NovoTHor changes this: it's the first device capable of delivering photobiomodulation to the entire body simultaneously.
faq's
what actually is NovoTHOR
A full-body light bed that delivers red and near-infrared light at clinically studied wavelengths. It is the only whole-body device of its kind with independently researched and published clinical results, and it is cleared as a medical device in over thirty countries.
Is it a sunbed?
No. There is no UV light involved, and it will not tan or burn your skin. The light is at the opposite end of the spectrum - red and near-infrared, the wavelengths associated with repair rather than damage.
what does it feel like
Warm and quiet. Most guests describe it as restful; a fair number fall asleep. You will not feel anything intense, and there is no discomfort.
how long is a session?
Up to twenty minutes. Including consultation and changing, allow around forty minutes for your first visit.
how often should I come?
For a specific concern - a recurring injury, joint pain, a training block - most guests start with two sessions a week for four to six weeks. For general recovery and wellbeing, once a week works well.
will I notice a difference
Some guests feel the benefit after a single session, particularly in sleep quality. For most, the difference becomes clear across a course of sessions rather than one.
are there any side effects?
Photobiomodulation has no known side effects. Occasionally, a guest feels a little tired immediately afterwards, which passes quickly.
is there anyone who shouldn't use it?
Yes. NovoTHOR is not suitable during pregnancy, or for guests undergoing certain cancer treatments. If you take medication that increases light sensitivity, or have any significant medical condition, please speak to your GP first and let our spa team know when you book. We'll always ask before your first session.
Pricing
|
Single |
10 sessions |
20 sessions |
30 sessions |
50 sessions |
|
£65 |
£60 each |
£55 each |
£50 each |
£45 each |
Exclusive discount available for Club Bishopstrow members >
Book 10 sessions and receive a complimentary before-and-after TechnoGym check-up
Please note, a 10% discretionary service charge will be added to the billing for treatments.