Balneotherapy (from the Latin word balneum, meaning bath) therapy is the practice of treating diseases by immersion in baths. It is offered by medi-spas as a form of hydrotherapy or as a completely distinct treatment. The practice involves the client being immersed in hot or cold water, or receiving a massage, using moving water that is enriched with various minerals that are absorbed through the skin. Spas will use any combination of natural minerals such as radium, silica, selenium and sulfur in different concentrations.

The term Balneotherapy is at times used to describe anything that relates to spa treatments. This includes drinking water, vapor baths and sand or mud baths. More specifically, the term refers to the use of these various treatments for medicinal purposes rather than recreational ones. Other minerals spas tend to use are potassium, lithium, arsenic, iodine and bromine, all of which are found in the peat used to prepare spa water. Clays that are high in mineral content can also be used.

The History of Balneotherapy
The practice of using water to heal and treat illnesses is an ancient one. Archaeologists have unearthed evidence that bathing rooms were used by the Greeks as early as 1700 B.C. An ancient Greek physician named Hippocrates praised the healing power of water in his writing; he used salt baths on his own patients to treat sore muscles.

The Greeks were not the only ancient civilization to use water-based therapy. The famous Egyptian Queen Cleopatra visited the Dead Sea to reap the benefits of its waters and is believed to have built cosmetic stores nearby. Romans are credited with establishing large scale baths. The first were in their homes for private use, but soon neighborhood baths and huge public baths were established that were accessible to everyone.

After the decline of the Roman empire, the use of baths were lost for some time and did not resurface until the 1800s when an Austrian man treated wounds using cold water. He treated over 1,600 patients with this method and even published a book outlining his techniques.

A German priest, Sebastian Kneipp later mainstreamed the use of hot springs as balneotherapy and began the practice of adding herbs and oils to the waters. Spas were developed in secluded mountain areas that offered a variety of water treatments.

As these spas became more popular in Europe, interest spread to the United States where they became full scale resorts.

As they became more popular, the spas evolved into recreational spa resorts, featuring world-class restaurants, entertainment, and resort sports like golfing and tennis; or medicinal spas with a staff of nurses to aid in recovery and rehabilitation.

Illnesses Treated Using Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy is commonly used to treat skin conditions, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. It has also been shown to improve or aid with:

• Diabetes, gout, obesity (and other metabolic diseases)
• Rheumatic diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Mild hypertension or other circulatory diseases that affect the hands and feet
• Stress related illnesses

How Balneotherapy works
There is no scientific evidence that shows balneotherapy cures or improves any illness. Patients who have tried it say they experience improvement with their illnesses and find the process very relaxing. Balneotherapy is thought to work for these clients in any of the following ways:

• Hot spring baths increase the core body temperature killing harmful germs and viruses that cause illnesses.
• Balneotherapy using hot water releases the natural pain killer called beta-endorphin. This also has the effect of slowing cancer cell growth.
• Hot baths cause hydrostatic pressure on the body. This increases blood circulation and eliminates toxins from the system. The pressure also reduces swelling in the legs.
• Baths also improve and increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the vital organs.
• Using hot spring therapy repeatedly can normalize endocrine gland functions and functioning of the nervous system.
• Minerals are absorbed through the skin to heal the body by strengthening the immune system and aiding relaxation by producing endorphins.
• Spring waters contain many negative ions that help to improve mood.
• Applying warm water with high mineral content improves skin conditions like dermatitis, fungal infections and psoriasis.
• Acne can be improved by the process of keratolysis (shedding of the outer layer of skin).
• Buoyancy caused by immersion has the effect of reducing compression on joints. For this reason, balneotherapy is often recommended as a way to exercise for persons who are unable to exert normal pressure on their hips, knees and ankles.

Balneotherapy in Hawaii
As the pioneers discovered long ago, bath treatments work best in serene and picturesque areas where clients or patients feel safe, calm, relaxed and open to the treatment experience. For these reasons, Hawaii is one of the best locations for balneotherapy, whether it is for therapeutic or recreational purposes, a balneotherapy session in a private spa with a view of the Pacific Ocean or the unique rock formations caused from the volcanic eruptions. The spas are also known for their gardens, private outdoor treatment facilities and a full complement of spa professionals to tend to the needs of clients before, during and after therapeutic sessions.

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands should not miss out on the healing and rejuvenating benefits of balneotherapy during their stay.

Medicinal Balneotherapy certainly isn't for everyone, and shouldn't be tried without first consulting a physician. Balneotherapy and other hydrotherapies however, can be enjoyed by anyone who already enjoys baths, massages and the relaxing experience of being at a spa. There are a few people who should be cautious of trying balneotherapy, especially repeated treatments. Pregnant women and older persons should not undergo regular therapeutic balneotherapy sessions. For everyone else, there is a hydrotherapy treatment that they will be sure to enjoy.

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