Balneotherapy is a broad classification for various types of health treatments that make use of water. The most common forms of balneotherapy involve the immersion of a patient into water. Treatments may take place in bathtubs, pools, or natural bodies of water.
The essential concept of balneotherapy has been around for thousands of years. Early Greek and Roman medical treatments often involved the use of mineral-rich hot springs to assist with various types of ailments. This simple water therapy was understood to help with conditions ranging from nervous conditions to easing the pain of arthritis.
A baleneotherapist may choose to utilize different types of water therapy in order to treat a particular medical condition. Hot springs often are used to help with circulation issues caused by diabetes or other illnesses that impact the flow of blood to the extremities. Mineral baths may be utilized as part of the treatment for various types of skin problems. Even sea water may be employed when the focus is on relieving stress or calming jangled nerves.
Both hot and cold water may be used in various types of balneotherapy treatments. Some of the hydrotherapy solutions involve the use of moving water as part of the process of treatment. Generally speaking, warmer water is used when there is a need to soothe or relax. Colder water is utilized when there is a need to stimulate the body and mind.
Balneotherapy may include the use of water that has a high content of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. The relief that many patients experience with treatments in natural springs is thought to come from the exposure to and absorption of needed nutrients through the skin during a treatment. At the same time, it is possible to add natural element such as chamomile or mint leaves to a hot bath and achieve some mental and physical benefits.
Over the centuries, balneotherapy has been used in the treatment of all sorts of conditions, including leprosy, heart problems and mental disorders. While medical evidence to support all the various uses of balneotherapy is somewhat limited, there is some proof that the use of hydrotherapy can be relaxing and help with stimulating the body’s immune sysetm. Research in the effective applications of balneotherapy continues among western medicine and various homeopathic disciplines as well.
