Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy
(from
Latin: balneum, "bath")
is the treatment of illnesses by
water-based treatments, using natural
thermal springs, mud, mineral, seaweed
or seawater to
induce relaxation, reduce stress,
improve the circulation, stimulate
the immune system and bring about
detoxification whilst revitalising
th
e body. Whilst it differs from hydrotherapy,
there can be some overlapping in
approach and treatment.
What
is Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy
has been a popular form of treatment
for many illnesses for centuries.
Early Greek and Roman medical treatments
often involved the use of mineral-rich
hot springs to assist with various
types of ailments. The simple water
based therapy was recognised as helping
with disease and health conditions
ranging from nervous conditions to
easing the pain of arthritis.
The
term Balneotherapy has gradually come
to be applied to everything relating
to spa treatment and baths, including
the drinking of waters, the use of
hot baths and natural vapour baths,
as well as the use of various kinds
of mud, seaweed, seawater and sand
which are used in hot applications.
The treatment can include warm or
cold water, and massage therapy is
often used in conjunction with Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy
involves bathing in mineral or thermal
water either from hot underground
springs or heated in another way to
around 34 degrees Celsius or 93 degrees
Fahrenheit. Sometimes water treatments
are applied at high pressure or alternating
hot and cold water.
Spa
waters are used for their therapeutic
properties and contain rich minerals
such as silica, sulphur, radium, magnesium,
calcium, iron, lithium, potassium,
iodine, manganese and bromine and
selenium which can be absorbed through
the skin.
Baths can also be created and pine
needle baths are very popular;by adding
the needles of pines and firs to hot
water you create essential oils which
are absorbed by the skin and increase
circulation.
What
are the benefits of Balneotherapy
For
thousands of years the benefits of
therapeutic bathing have been recognised
for the ability to relieve pain, stress
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 Europe
& Asia, where people have used
spas for recreation and treatment.
Balneotherapy
is used to improve circulation, strengthen
the immune system, stimulate circulatory
process including lymph and blood
circulation, it also accelerates cell
activity, dilating tissue and vessels
thus activating the self healing potential.
Balneotherapy may also naturally relieve
pain, and treat stress.n
Japan, the traditional form of Balneotherapy
is carried out in hot water springs,
whilst in Europe, mineral bathing
is more popular. Both feature the
repeated immersion of the whole body
in hot water which is stimulating
to the body.
In ancient Rome, Water Hydromassage
was a popular treatment using minera
water, sea or hot springs water, sometimes
with the addition of oils. This treatment
detoxifies the body and can improve
circulation, alleviate stresses and
strains and to heal and strengthen
the body. Alkaline water helps stimulate
the secretion of bile, whilst hypotonic
water has diuretic effects and is
often used for treating kidney stones.
What
can be expected from a Balneological
Treatment
If
the treatment is being taken at a
non spa location it can be applied
in a sitz bath, foot bath or in a
full bath, for hand and arm submersion.
For a full body treatment the whole
body is submerged into a bath and
your skin rapidly begins to absorb
the chemicals that are suspended in
the water. These chemical components
can make their way to our bloodstream
in as little as 2 to 15 minutes.
In a spa environment the treatment
will vary depending on the bathing
medium being used, but it generally
involves full body immersion in the
mineral water, mud, seawater etc.
Benefits from balneotherapy treatments
include the reduction of pain, acceleration
of collateral blood circulation, elevation
of cellular fluids, relaxation of
muscles as well as numerous healing
benefits from the absorption of minerals
and botanical substances.
Balneotherapy is used to as a treatment
for a large number of different conditions,
including :-
- Chronic
rheumatic diseases
- Chronic
skin conditions such as psoriasis,
eczema and dermatitis
- Stress
and related mental health problems
- Joint
and muscle pain, back pain
- Circulatory
diseases
- Chronic
gynaecological diseases
- An
aid in rehabilitation from trauma
or convalescence after illness
- Varicose
veins
- Rheumatoid
arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Some
Ways Balneotherapy Heals
- Bathing
in hot springs will gradually increase
the temperature of the body, thus
killing harmful germs and viruses.
- Balneotherapy
increases blood flow to organs and
tissues
- Thermal
bathing increases hydrostatic pressure
on the body, thus increasing blood
circulation and cell oxygenation.
The increase in blood flow also
helps dissolve and eliminate toxins
from the body.
- Hot
springs bathing increases the flow
of oxygen-rich blood throughout
the body, bringing improved nourishment
to vital organs and tissues.
- Balneotherapy
treatment increases cell metabolism,
aiding digestion.
- Bathing
in thermal water increases body
metabolism, including stimulating
the secretions of the intestinal
tract and the liver, aiding digestion.
- Repeated
hot springs bathing (usually over
a three- to four-week period) can
help normalise the functions of
the endocrine glands as well as
the functioning of the body’s
autonomic nervous system.
- Trace
amounts of minerals such as carbon
dioxide, sulphur, calcium, magnesium,
and lithium are absorbed by the
body and provide healing effects
to various body organs and system.
These different healing effects
can include stimulation of the immune
system, leading to enhanced immunity;
physical and mental relaxation;
the production of endorphins, relaxation
of the mind and body.and normalized
gland function.
-
Mineral springs contain high amounts
of negative ions, which can help
promote feelings of physical and
psychological well-being.
- The
direct application of mineralised
thermal waters (especially those
containing sulphur) 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
Read
much more about Balneotherapy in one
of these excellent books.....
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