Balneotherapy in dermatology

History of Balneotherapy

There is lot of historical records that used hot spring to recover many diseases. It was in different environment depending on the geographically, facilities availability and culture of the people in the area. It has been proved with following details.

1. Using water to soothe and heal is an ancient practice. Archaeologists have found remains of bathing rooms in the palace of Knossos that date from 1700 B.C., indicating that the Greeks appreciated the effects of a good, long soak. The Greek physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) also wrote extensively about the healing power of water. He advocated the use of saline baths and regularly immersed his patients in seawater to cure several ailments, including aching muscles and arthritis.

2. Ancient Egyptians embraced water-based therapies just as enthusiastically. Cleopatra (69-30 B.C.) visited the Dead Sea to soak in its mineral-rich waters and may have established pharmaceutical and cosmetic factories near its shores. But it was the Romans who took bathing to a new level of sophistication. At first, Roman baths were small, private and unobtrusive. Then came larger neighborhood baths, which were followed by massive public baths. The Baths of Caracalla represented the pinnacle of the Roman bathing experience. Constructed between A.D. 206 and A.D. 217, the Baths of Caracalla covered 27 acres and could accommodate 1,600 people at a time.

3. Eventually, the Roman Empire collapsed and, with it, interest in balneotherapy. The last Roman baths were abandoned by about A.D. 537. By the time the Black Death swept through Europe in the 1340s, public bathing had all but stopped. In addition to fears associated with disease transmission, the strict moral code of the Roman Catholic Church discouraged people from visiting public watering places.

Benefits of balneotherapy

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

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.

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Balneotherapy?

Balneotherapy

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.

Balneotherapy Hot Spring in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the wonderful tourism destination in the world that most of beauties are gift of nature. One of most attractive benefited even is the Hot spring place at Madunagala in down south Sri Lanka.

Term of Sri Lankan traditional Medicine Ayurweda is combine with Ayur(Life) weda(Science). Therapy is the broad scientific concept in Ayurweda in difference lines includes Balneotherapy has former root level facilities are coming from ancient historical treatment system such hot spring wells.

Laying in a wide expanse of open country, Madunagala Hot Springs is a wonderful creation of nature in all its natural beauty. Historically, these hot springs flowed into a natural water hole. Recently they have been renovated and attractive stone tanks and basins have been created. Here, the hot water bubbles into the ponds and mixes with cooler water there. Warm water flows smoothly into the surrounding basins where visitors can enjoy the soothing mineral water. Changing rooms, western toilets and small shops with snacks and beverages are close by. Special indigenous ayurvedic drinks such as “Belimal” and “Ranawara” are local treats worth trying.