Balneotherapy (Latin:balneum "bath") is a method of treatingdiseases bybathing, atraditional medicine technique usually practiced atspas.[1] Since ancient times, humans have used hot springs, public baths and thermal medicine for therapeutic effects.[2] While it is considered distinct fromhydrotherapy,[3] there are some overlaps in practice and in underlying principles. Balneotherapy may involve hot or coldwater,massage through moving water,relaxation, orstimulation. Many mineral waters at spas are rich in particularminerals such assilica,sulfur,selenium, andradium.Medicinal clays are also widely used, a practice known as 'fangotherapy'.
The statue of "A man breaking a walking crutch" in the spa townPiešťany (Slovakia) – an eloquent symbol of balneotherapy
"Balneotherapy" is the practice of immersing a subject inmineral water or mineral-laden mud; it is part of thetraditional medicine of many cultures and originated inhot springs, cold water springs, or other sources of such water, like theDead Sea.[4]
Balneotherapy may be recommended for various illnesses, includingarthritis,[5] skin conditions andfibromyalgia.[6] Balneotherapy should be discussed in advance with aphysician before beginning treatment since several conditions, likeheart disease and pregnancy, can result in a seriousadverse effect.
Scientific studies into the effectiveness of balneotherapy do not show that balneotherapy is effective for treatingrheumatoid arthritis.[7] There is also no evidence indicating a more effective type of bath,[7] or that bathing is more effective than exercise, relaxation therapy, or mudpacks.[7] Most of the studies on balneotherapy have methodological flaws and are not reliable.[8][7] A 2009 review of all published clinical evidence concluded that existing research is not sufficiently strong to draw firm conclusions about the efficacy of balneotherapy.[9]
"Balneophototherapy" combines salt bathing (balneotherapy) and exposure toultraviolet B-light (UVB) as a potential treatment for severe, chronicplaque psoriasis. ACochrane review found low-quality evidence that salt bathing combined with UVB may relieve psoriasis severity compared to UVB treatment only.[10]
A 2018 systematic review concluded that "balneotherapy and spa therapy may be considered useful interventions for managing stress conditions".[11]
Thecrenotherapy (from the Greekkrene, "source"[12]) is closely related to the balneotherapy:
Some sources equate it with balneotherapy, with the term "crenotherapy" most used in France and "balneotherapy" in Germany;[13]
Some researchers suggest that crenotherapy is a branch ofhydrotherapy that deals with mineral waters, divide it into internal and external, with balneotherapy being part of the external branch of the crenotherapy.[14]
Generally, crenotherapy is associated with the use of natural mineral waters as a medicine, including the trace levels of substances.[13] Drinking of mineral water is sometimes calledhydropinotherapy (from the Greekhydro, "water" andpino, "drink").[15]
^Verhagen AP; De Vet, HC; De Bie, RA; Kessels, AG; Boers, M; Knipschild, PG (October 1997). "Taking baths: the efficacy of balneotherapy in patients with arthritis. A systematic review".J Rheumatol.24 (10):1964–71.PMID9330940.
^Antonelli, Michele; Donelli, Davide (2018). "Effects of balneotherapy and spa therapy on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: a systematic review".International Journal of Biometeorology.62 (6):913–924.Bibcode:2018IJBm...62..913A.doi:10.1007/s00484-018-1504-8.PMID29455296.
Esti Dvorjetski,Leisure, pleasure, and healing: spa culture and medicine in ancient eastern Mediterranean.,E. J. Brill, 2007 (illustrated).ISBN90-04-15681-X
