Benefits of Balneotherapy: Natural Ways of Healing with Water
Healing with Water
Balneotherapy is a natural approach to healing using water. Normally, individuals are immersed into water in tubs or natural bodies of water.
Balneotherapy is a form of physical therapy that has been used for centuries. Mineral-rich hot springs were used in the early days by the Greeks and Romans to treat a variety of ailments.
Different types of water are used to treat particular health conditions. Hot springs are often used to treat illnesses associated with decreased blood flow to the extremities. Mineral baths (mainly consisting of sulfur, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and iron) are especially beneficial when treating skin disorders and sea water can help relieve tense nerves.
Both hot and cold water is used. Generally, hot water is used to soothe and relax and cold water is used to stimulate. Hot water opens pores and helps increase surface circulation. Cold water closes pores and increases blood flow throughout the body. Some practitioners find it beneficial to alternate hot and cold water treatments.
Other forms of balneotherapy include foot baths, steam baths, mud baths, drinking mineral water, and inhaling water vapors.
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
- Parkinson’s disease
- stress-related diseases
- low back pain
- varicose veins
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis.
One study performed in Israel at the Ein Gedi Spa, along the western shore of the Dead Sea, provides some evidence of the benefits of balneotherapy when treating rheumatoid arthritis.[1] This particular area around the Dead Sea is famous for its hot springs and natural concentration of mud for treating ailments.
Young children, pregnant women, and those with heart conditions or other serious health conditions should consult with their doctor before healing with water.
References
[1] Isr Med J 31 (1995): 210-4
Disclaimer
Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.