Advances and Applications of Balneotherapy in Physical Rehabilitation
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 2316
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Balneotherapy—a mode of spa therapy using natural mineral water (NMW) and its derivatives (mud, vapors, gas)—can be used in the treatment of different diseases, and is presently benefiting millions of patients in Europe, North Africa, South America, China, and Japan, among others.
When NMW is ingested, its effects on metabolism are dependent on the volume and minerality of the NMW used. Thermo-mineral products coming into contact with damaged tissues (skin, gynecological, digestive, and respiratory) act through the physical properties and pharmacological effects of the minerals. When the body is brought into contact with thermo-mineral products through the skin (general or local baths, showers, mud applications, etc.), the effects are a result of the physical properties of the thermality, immersion, and mineral elements. Hydrothermal treatments can be performed through rehabilitation and education.
Presently, the main applications of balneotherapy are in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions (knee osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, etc.), respiratory tract diseases (chronic rhinosinusitis, subacute otitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.), dermatological conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, burn sequelae, etc.), irritable bowel syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder and burnout, chronic venous insufficiency, overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and post-cancer rehabilitation. Balneotherapy could be a useful rehabilitation tool for musculoskeletal conditions especially.
The present Special Issue aims to present recent advances in the following areas:
(i) basic knowledge of hydrothermal products, including natural mineral waters, muds, and mineral elements;
(ii) physiopathology of thermal products on different biological systems;
(iii) management of the thermal care facilities;
(iiii) therapeutic applications of balneotherapy for different conditions and during different periods of life.
We welcome the submission of both original studies and reviews on these subjects.
Prof. Dr. Christian François Roques
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- balneotherapy
- spa therapy
- balneology
- natural mineral water
- muds
