One of the most important activities that takes place at a traditional spa is balneotherapy, a natural approach to health and healing that uses hot spring water, gases, mud, and climatic factors (such as heat) as therapeutic elements.
In addition to bathing, modalities such as hydrotherapy, mud therapy, physical therapy, massage, steam baths, physical exercises, inhalation of water vapor, and drinking mineral water are often used as part of a complex therapy for both health and preservation and treating disease.
Over the past four centuries, the science of balneology has evolved into a medical specialty in Europe and Japan, where special courses in balneotherapy are offered to both physicians and nurses by major medical schools. Researchers believe that thermal springs facilitate healing in a number of important ways.
Here are some ways through which Balneotherapy Heals:
1. Bathing in hot springs gradually increases the temperature of the body, thus killing harmful germs and viruses.
2. Thermal bathing increases hydrostatic pressure on the body, thus increasing blood circulation and cell oxygenation bringing improved nourishment to vital organs and tissues.
3. Increase in Blood flow also helps dissolve and eliminate toxins from the body.
4. Bathing in thermal water increases body metabolism, including stimulating the secretions of the intestinal tract and the liver, aiding digestion.
5. Repeated hot springs bathing (especially over three- to four-week period) can help normalize the functions of the endocrine glands as well as the functioning of the body’s autonomic nervous system.
6. Trace amounts of minerals such as carbon dioxide, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and lithium are absorbed by the body and provide healing effects to various body organs and system. These healing effects can include stimulation of the immune system, leading to enhanced immunity; physical and mental relaxation; the production of endorphins; and normalized gland function.
7. Mineral springs contain high amounts of negative ions, which can help promote feelings of physical and psychological well-being.
8. The direct application of mineralized thermal waters (especially those containing sulfur) can have a therapeutic effect on diseases of the skin, including psoriasis, dermatitis, and fungal infections. Some mineral waters are also used to help the healing of wounds and other skin injuries.
9. Pain, Stiffness, inflammation and dependency on anti-inflammatory drugs were noted to be decreased in many Rheumatological conditions including Oteoarthritis of Hip and Knee, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis by many researchers in Israel, Netherlands, Turkey, Russia, Germany, France and Italy. Mobility, and Quality of life improved.
Indications for Balneotherapy
Over the several hundred years during which the science of medical balneology has developed, following health conditions are identified that can best be treated by healing springs.
. Chronic rheumatic diseases
. Fibromyalgia
. Chronic Back Pain
. Functional recovery of central and peripheral neuroparalysis
. Metabolic diseases, especially diabetes, obesity, and gout
. Chronic gastrointestinal diseases
. Chronic mild respiratory diseases
. Circulatory diseases, especially moderate or mild hypertension
. Peripheral circulatory diseases (affecting the hands and feet)
. Chronic skin diseases
. Psychosomatic and stress-related diseases
. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
. Vibration disorder (a middle ear disorder affecting balance)
. Sequela of (conditions resulting from) trauma
. Chronic gynecological diseases
Bibliography:
. Hashkes PJ. Beneficial effect of climatic therapy on inflammatory arthritis at Tiberias Hot Springs: Scand J Rheumatol. 2002;31(3):172-7.
. Tishler M, Brostovski Y, Yaron M. Effect of spa therapy in Tiberias on patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Rheumatol. 1995 Jan;14(1):21-5.
. Sukenik S. Balneotherapy for rheumatic diseases at the Dead Sea area. Isr J Med Sci. 1996 Jul;32 Suppl:S16-9. . Sukenik S, Flusser D, Codish S, Abu-Shakra M. Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for knee osteoarthritis. Isr Med Assoc J. 1999 Oct;1(2):83-5.
. Sukenik S, Baradin R, Codish S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Abu-Shakra M, Buskila D. Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for patients with psoriatic arthritis and concomitant fibromyalgia. Isr Med Assoc J. 2001 Feb;3(2):147-50.
. Sukenik S, Giryes H, Halevy S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Buskila D. Treatment of psoriatic arthritis at the Dead Sea. J Rheumatol. 1994 Jul;21(7):1305-9.
. Elkayam O, Ophir J, Brener S, Paran D, Wigler I, Efron D, Even-Paz Z, Politi Y, Yaron M. Immediate and delayed effects of treatment at the Dead Sea in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2000;19(3):77-82.
. Sukenik S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Kleiner-Baumgarten A, Buskila D. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea. Isr J Med Sci. 1995 Apr;31(4):210-4.
. Elkayam O, Ophir J, Brener S, Paran D, Wigler I, Efron D, Even-Paz Z, Politi Y, Yaron M. Immediate and delayed effects of treatment at the Dead Sea in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2000;19(3):77-82.
. Sukenik S, Buskila D, Neumann L, Kleiner-Baumgarten A, Zimlichman S, Horowitz J. Sulphur bath and mud pack treatment for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea area. Ann Rheum Dis. 1991 Mar;50(3):201.
. Sukenik S, Buskila D, Neumann L, Kleiner-Baumgarten A. Mud pack therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 1992 Jun;11(2):243-7.
. Codish S, Abu-Shakra M, Flusser D, Friger M, Sukenik S. Mud compress therapy for the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2005 Jan;25(1):49-54. Epub 2003 Nov 14.
. Flusser D, Abu-Shakra M, Friger M, Codish S, Sukenik S. Therapy with mud compresses for knee osteoarthritis: comparison of natural mud preparations with mineral-depleted mud. J Clin Rheumatol. 2002 Aug;8(4):197-203.
. Odabasi E, Turan M, Erdem H, Tekbas F. Does mud pack treatment have any chemical effect? A randomized controlled clinical study. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):559-65.
. Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Yeter A, Yigit I. The efficacy of balneotherapy and mud-pack therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Joint Bone Spine. 2007 Jan;74(1):60-5. Epub 2006 Nov 29.
. Sukenik S, Abu-Shakra M, Kudish S, Flusser D. Dead Sea and Tiberias as health resort areas for patients suffering from different types of arthritis. Harefuah. 2006 Feb;145(2):117-22, 165.
. Gaál J, Varga J, Szekanecz Z, Kurkó J, Ficzere A, Bodolay E, Bender T. Balneotherapy in elderly patients: effect on pain from degenerative knee and spine conditions and on quality of life. Isr Med Assoc J. 2008 May;10(5):365-9.
. Balogh Z, Ordögh J, Gász A, Német L, Bender T. Effectiveness of balneotherapy in chronic low back pain -- a randomized single-blind controlled follow-up study. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2005 Aug;12(4):196-201. Epub 2005 Aug 29.
. Nguyen M, Revel M, Dougados M. Prolonged effects of 3 week therapy in a spa resort on lumbar spine, knee and hip osteoarthritis: follow-up after 6 months. A randomized controlled trial. Br J Rheumatol. 1997 Jan;36(1):77-81.
. Karagülle M, Karagülle MZ, Karagülle O, Dönmez A, Turan M. A 10-day course of SPA therapy is beneficial for people with severe knee osteoarthritis. A 24-week randomised, controlled pilot study. Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Dec;26(12):2063-71. Epub 2007 Apr 13.
In addition to bathing, modalities such as hydrotherapy, mud therapy, physical therapy, massage, steam baths, physical exercises, inhalation of water vapor, and drinking mineral water are often used as part of a complex therapy for both health and preservation and treating disease.
Over the past four centuries, the science of balneology has evolved into a medical specialty in Europe and Japan, where special courses in balneotherapy are offered to both physicians and nurses by major medical schools. Researchers believe that thermal springs facilitate healing in a number of important ways.
Here are some ways through which Balneotherapy Heals:
1. Bathing in hot springs gradually increases the temperature of the body, thus killing harmful germs and viruses.
2. Thermal bathing increases hydrostatic pressure on the body, thus increasing blood circulation and cell oxygenation bringing improved nourishment to vital organs and tissues.
3. Increase in Blood flow also helps dissolve and eliminate toxins from the body.
4. Bathing in thermal water increases body metabolism, including stimulating the secretions of the intestinal tract and the liver, aiding digestion.
5. Repeated hot springs bathing (especially over three- to four-week period) can help normalize the functions of the endocrine glands as well as the functioning of the body’s autonomic nervous system.
6. Trace amounts of minerals such as carbon dioxide, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and lithium are absorbed by the body and provide healing effects to various body organs and system. These healing effects can include stimulation of the immune system, leading to enhanced immunity; physical and mental relaxation; the production of endorphins; and normalized gland function.
7. Mineral springs contain high amounts of negative ions, which can help promote feelings of physical and psychological well-being.
8. The direct application of mineralized thermal waters (especially those containing sulfur) can have a therapeutic effect on diseases of the skin, including psoriasis, dermatitis, and fungal infections. Some mineral waters are also used to help the healing of wounds and other skin injuries.
9. Pain, Stiffness, inflammation and dependency on anti-inflammatory drugs were noted to be decreased in many Rheumatological conditions including Oteoarthritis of Hip and Knee, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis by many researchers in Israel, Netherlands, Turkey, Russia, Germany, France and Italy. Mobility, and Quality of life improved.
Indications for Balneotherapy
Over the several hundred years during which the science of medical balneology has developed, following health conditions are identified that can best be treated by healing springs.
. Chronic rheumatic diseases
. Fibromyalgia
. Chronic Back Pain
. Functional recovery of central and peripheral neuroparalysis
. Metabolic diseases, especially diabetes, obesity, and gout
. Chronic gastrointestinal diseases
. Chronic mild respiratory diseases
. Circulatory diseases, especially moderate or mild hypertension
. Peripheral circulatory diseases (affecting the hands and feet)
. Chronic skin diseases
. Psychosomatic and stress-related diseases
. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
. Vibration disorder (a middle ear disorder affecting balance)
. Sequela of (conditions resulting from) trauma
. Chronic gynecological diseases
Bibliography:
. Hashkes PJ. Beneficial effect of climatic therapy on inflammatory arthritis at Tiberias Hot Springs: Scand J Rheumatol. 2002;31(3):172-7.
. Tishler M, Brostovski Y, Yaron M. Effect of spa therapy in Tiberias on patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Rheumatol. 1995 Jan;14(1):21-5.
. Sukenik S. Balneotherapy for rheumatic diseases at the Dead Sea area. Isr J Med Sci. 1996 Jul;32 Suppl:S16-9. . Sukenik S, Flusser D, Codish S, Abu-Shakra M. Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for knee osteoarthritis. Isr Med Assoc J. 1999 Oct;1(2):83-5.
. Sukenik S, Baradin R, Codish S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Abu-Shakra M, Buskila D. Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for patients with psoriatic arthritis and concomitant fibromyalgia. Isr Med Assoc J. 2001 Feb;3(2):147-50.
. Sukenik S, Giryes H, Halevy S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Buskila D. Treatment of psoriatic arthritis at the Dead Sea. J Rheumatol. 1994 Jul;21(7):1305-9.
. Elkayam O, Ophir J, Brener S, Paran D, Wigler I, Efron D, Even-Paz Z, Politi Y, Yaron M. Immediate and delayed effects of treatment at the Dead Sea in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2000;19(3):77-82.
. Sukenik S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Kleiner-Baumgarten A, Buskila D. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea. Isr J Med Sci. 1995 Apr;31(4):210-4.
. Elkayam O, Ophir J, Brener S, Paran D, Wigler I, Efron D, Even-Paz Z, Politi Y, Yaron M. Immediate and delayed effects of treatment at the Dead Sea in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2000;19(3):77-82.
. Sukenik S, Buskila D, Neumann L, Kleiner-Baumgarten A, Zimlichman S, Horowitz J. Sulphur bath and mud pack treatment for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea area. Ann Rheum Dis. 1991 Mar;50(3):201.
. Sukenik S, Buskila D, Neumann L, Kleiner-Baumgarten A. Mud pack therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 1992 Jun;11(2):243-7.
. Codish S, Abu-Shakra M, Flusser D, Friger M, Sukenik S. Mud compress therapy for the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2005 Jan;25(1):49-54. Epub 2003 Nov 14.
. Flusser D, Abu-Shakra M, Friger M, Codish S, Sukenik S. Therapy with mud compresses for knee osteoarthritis: comparison of natural mud preparations with mineral-depleted mud. J Clin Rheumatol. 2002 Aug;8(4):197-203.
. Odabasi E, Turan M, Erdem H, Tekbas F. Does mud pack treatment have any chemical effect? A randomized controlled clinical study. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):559-65.
. Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Yeter A, Yigit I. The efficacy of balneotherapy and mud-pack therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Joint Bone Spine. 2007 Jan;74(1):60-5. Epub 2006 Nov 29.
. Sukenik S, Abu-Shakra M, Kudish S, Flusser D. Dead Sea and Tiberias as health resort areas for patients suffering from different types of arthritis. Harefuah. 2006 Feb;145(2):117-22, 165.
. Gaál J, Varga J, Szekanecz Z, Kurkó J, Ficzere A, Bodolay E, Bender T. Balneotherapy in elderly patients: effect on pain from degenerative knee and spine conditions and on quality of life. Isr Med Assoc J. 2008 May;10(5):365-9.
. Balogh Z, Ordögh J, Gász A, Német L, Bender T. Effectiveness of balneotherapy in chronic low back pain -- a randomized single-blind controlled follow-up study. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2005 Aug;12(4):196-201. Epub 2005 Aug 29.
. Nguyen M, Revel M, Dougados M. Prolonged effects of 3 week therapy in a spa resort on lumbar spine, knee and hip osteoarthritis: follow-up after 6 months. A randomized controlled trial. Br J Rheumatol. 1997 Jan;36(1):77-81.
. Karagülle M, Karagülle MZ, Karagülle O, Dönmez A, Turan M. A 10-day course of SPA therapy is beneficial for people with severe knee osteoarthritis. A 24-week randomised, controlled pilot study. Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Dec;26(12):2063-71. Epub 2007 Apr 13.
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