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Balneotherapy

spa therapy

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Health Benefits

Benefits of balneotherapy include:

Accelerating cell activity
Increasing cell oxygenation
Boosting the immune system
Increasing body metabolism
Improving blood circulation
Eliminating toxins
Nourishing vital organs and tissues
Promoting relaxation
Decreasing inflammation
Relieving pain.

Health conditions balneotherapy is said to be useful in treating include:

Skin diseases, including psoriasis and eczema
Mild respiratory diseases
Metabolic diseases, especially gout and diabetes
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
Gynecological diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases
Circulatory diseases, mostly mild to moderate hypertension
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)
Parkinson's disease
Stress-related diseases
Low back pain
Varicose veins
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis

More Information

Wikipedia

Study & Research

Balneotherapy may be truly associated with improvement in several rheumatological diseases. However, existing research is not sufficiently strong to draw firm conclusions.

Balneotherapy may be recommended for wide range of illnesses, including arthritis, skin conditions and fibromyalgia. As with any medical treatment, balneotherapy should be discussed with a physician before beginning treatment, since a number of conditions, like heart disease and pregnancy, can result in a serious adverse reaction.

Scientific studies into the effectiveness of balneotherapy tend to be neutral or positive, finding that balneotherapy provides no effect or a placebo effect, or that there is a positive effect. However, many of these studies suffer from methodological flaws, and so may not be entirely reliable. A 2009 review of all published clinical evidence concluded that existing research is not sufficiently strong to draw firm conclusions about effectiveness of balneotherapy for any medical condition.

PMID: 19570124 [PubMed - in process]

Precautions & Contraindications

Precautions:

Alcohol and smoking are prohibited during activities.

Young children, pregnant women, and those with heart conditions or other serious health conditions should consult with a medical doctor before bathing, or consult with a medical balneologist.

In any case, soaking in mineral waters should not be done at excessively high temperatures without medical clearance when any contraindicated condition exists. A tepid to warm bath ( 35°C-37°C ) is as safe as taking a bath at home.

There are several precautions you need to consider before bathing:

confusion or disorientation
after ingestion of alcoholic beverages
under the influence of narcotics
medications
respiratory problems
hypertension
pregnancy

Contraindications:

You can not participant if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

Conditions involving high fevers
All types of infectious diseases
Extreme Hypertension
Liver, kidney, or circulation disorders
Anemic Conditions
Congestive heart failure, recent stroke, or recent heart attack
Bathing under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Toxicomania, chronic alcohol addicts
Acute conditions or acute diseases
Circulatory insufficiency of any origin
Acute thrombophlebitis
Frequently recurrent hemorrhages
Labile diabetes mellitus or acidosis
Cachexia, Malignant tumors, Veneral diseases
Epilepsy, Fits of psychoses
Urinary and fecal incontinence

Duration

30 Minutes
60 Minutes
90 Minutes

What to bring?

comfortable cotton clothing
simple footwear

Gallery

What is Balneotherapy?

Balneotherapy (from Latin: balneum, "bath") is the treatment of disease by bathing. It may involve hot or cold water, massage through whirlpool current water, relaxation or stimulation.

The bathing process involves particular types of water and fluids, rich in salts, minerals and other organic compounds, which are believed to have healing properties.

These include sulphur springs and concentrated salty water, such as found at the Dead Sea (in the middle east).

Hot springs, which are high in Radon (a radioactive substance) are also said to possess particular healing properties.

Mineral waters are rich in a particular substance that can be absorbed through the skin. Mineral waters are natural solutions, which are formed under specific geologic conditions. Originating in springs, they are bacteriologically pure and have a therapeutic potential.

The aim of Balneotherapy is to:

Enhance the immune system
Stimulate circulatory process, including lymph and blood circulation
Accelerate cell activity
Dilate tissue and vessels
Activate the natural self-healing potential of the body

Why are These Types of Minerals Beneficial?

Sulfur is beneficial for a wide variety of conditions, including skin infections, respiratory problems, and skin inflammations.
Chlorides (sodium chloride) is beneficial for rheumatic conditions, arthritis, central nervous system conditions, post-traumatic and post-operative disorders, as well as orthopedic and gynecological disease.
Arsenic in larger doses is toxic in the human body, although small amounts may assist the body with plasma and tissue growth. Foot bathing in mineral waters with a high content of arsenic is used to address fungal conditions of the feet.
Boron builds muscle mass, increases brain activity and strengthens bones.
Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails.
Potassium aids in the normalization of heart rhythms, assists in reducing high blood pressure, helps to eliminate body toxins and promotes healthy skin. It energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise.
Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles.
Sodium and natural salts assist with the alleviation of arthritic symptoms, and may stimulate the body's lymphatic system when used in baths. It's important for the lymphatic fluid balance, which has a positive effect on the immune system function.

Balneotherapy may be recommended for wide range of illnesses, including arthritis, skin conditions and Fibromyalgia.

For centuries the benefits of therapeutic bathing have been recognized for the ability to relieve pain and improve the general well being of the body and the spirit. In fact, Balneotherapy is one of the oldest of medical procedures, well known and widely regarded throughout the world, where people have historically flocked to spas for recreation and treatment.

Health Benefits of Balneotherapy »

Health Benefits of balneotherapy include:

Accelerating cell activity
Increasing cell oxygenation
Boosting the immune system

Physiological Effects of Balneotherapy »

Thermal Effects of Balneotherapy

Hyperthermia--exogenous elevation of the body temperature, local or systemic--by means of a bath or poultice, has been demonstrated as a beneficial therapeutic measure for centuries.