On average, the human body consists of 67% water. It is therefore not surprising that water also plays a decisive role in terms of health.
The beneficial warmth of moor, fango and mud was discovered early on. Mud baths were documented as a natural remedy as early as the 14th century.
The climate has long had a major influence on well-being. Those seeking relaxation are most likely to find it in an environment with a balanced temperature and constant humidity.
FORMS OF APPLICATION
Drinking cure
Exercise pool
Inhalation
Drinking cure
During drinking cures, the medicinal water is administered in quantities between 100 ml and 1,500 ml. Symptoms of deficiency are combated with water containing magnesium, iodine or calcium, for example. Drinking cures with water containing bicarbonate have a soothing effect on irritated stomach lining. Radon water is also frequently administered as a drinking cure and is used primarily in the treatment of thyroid dysfunction.
Exercise pool
The exercise pool is an exercise treatment in water, using the heat effect and buoyancy of the warm water. Since the body weight in water is only 1/7 of normal weight, the exercise pool is suitable for many applications, such as after fractures, operations on the spine, shoulder joint and similar problems.
Inhalation
As a fine mist or steam, medicinal waters also have a local effect on the mucous membranes. By inhaling the fine droplets, the body's self-cleaning mechanisms are stimulated, stuck mucus in the respiratory tract is loosened and inflammation is alleviated. Aerosols, i.e. droplet particles in the air, are used in particular for bronchitis and asthmatic illnesses. Steam baths have a similar effect, but the mist or steam here is created by heating the medicinal water and not by a nebulizer machine.
ARTEN VON WASSER
Thermal water is characterized by a high temperature right at the source: it must be at least 20 degrees Celsius to be called thermal water. In most cases, however, it is heated to a comfortable bathing temperature of 35 to 38 degrees Celsius before it can be used in the pool.
On its way through countless rock layers, salts from the primeval sea can also dissolve in the water. This creates a salty brine that is used for therapeutic purposes. Only water with at least 5.5 g of sodium and 8.5 g of chloride ions per liter can be called brine. Brine baths mobilize the body's own defenses and strengthen the immune system. The high buoyancy makes underwater treatments easier and also relaxes joints and muscles. Highly concentrated brine also has a healing effect on skin diseases such as psoriasis.
Waters containing sulphur and radon have also been used in medical medicine for some time. Sulphur baths have a therapeutic effect on skin diseases and rheumatism. In addition, muscles relax after the first bath and blood circulation is significantly improved. Sulphur baths should, however, be avoided in cases of acute inflammation, heart failure, thrombosis and tumors. The radioactive noble gas radon can be found in small doses in some springs. As a drinking cure or bath, radon water relieves symptoms of rheumatic diseases, forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma and bronchitis and helps with skin diseases such as psoriasis.
The carbonic acid bath is a bath that contains carbon dioxide. This substance turns into carbonic acid in the bath water, which is absorbed through the skin. Carbonic acid baths are prepared both by artificially adding carbon dioxide and using natural carbonic acid sources. The carbonic acid bath has a promoting effect on blood circulation and can reduce high blood pressure. The carbonic acid is absorbed through the skin, which improves the oxygen supply to the internal organs, blood and cells. In addition, the carbonic acid bath is intensely relaxing, which is why it is also used for inner restlessness and exhaustion. The therapy bath also has a pain-relieving and cleansing effect.
WATER
Awards serve as a seal of quality in health tourism. The respective federal state is responsible for the certification of spas and health resorts. In order to receive a rating, certain standards must be met in the area of medical facilities and tourist infrastructure. The state's health resort law defines these requirements.
Thermal water is characterized by a high temperature right at the source: it must be at least 20 degrees Celsius. If the thermal water also contains valuable minerals and trace elements, then the spa can call itself a mineral thermal spa. The healing waters come from natural, local springs. If the temperature of the mineral-rich water is less than 20 degrees Celsius, however, it is called mineral water and the spa is therefore a mineral spa.
In order for a spa to be called a brine spa, one liter of water must contain 5.5 grams of sodium ions and 8.5 grams of chloride ions. There are a total of six brine spas in Baden-Württemberg.