Woman floating in water

Balneotherapy

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Discover the world of balneotherapy

Balneotherapy is a special form of hydrotherapy. It works not only with the water, but also with the minerals and elements contained in the water. Whether it is mud baths, mineral water therapy or inhalations, our spa hotels offer you a comprehensive range of therapies.

The most popular hotels for Balneotherapy

7 nights from
£1,219
- 5%
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
Malteser Klinik von Weckbecker
FIRST CLASS
Germany · Rhoen / Vogelsberg · Bad Bruckenau
Weckbecker Treatment
Marvelous
4.6
/5
7 nights from
£1,370
- 10%
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel - Tenerife
Spain · Tenerife · Punta del Hidalgo
OCÉANO Relax
Excellent
4.7
/5
1 night from
£82
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
AbanoRitz Hotel Terme
Italy · Euganean Hills · Abano Terme
Thermal Wellness
Excellent
4.8
/5
6 nights from
£402
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato & Spa
S
Italy · Euganean Hills · Abano Terme
Thermal Wellness
Excellent
4.7
/5
7 nights from
£1,155
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Jordan · Dead Sea · Sweimeh
Psoriatic Arthritis
Marvelous
4.5
/5
1 night from
£82
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Privathotel & Spa Post an der Therme
Germany · Black Forest · Badenweiler
Thermal Baths
Marvelous
4.6
/5

Popular topics

Balneotherapy - The power of ingredients

On this page you will find all the important information about the origin of balneotherapy, its current treatments and also how and where you can enjoy a great healthy vacation with beneficial balneotherapy treatments.

Balneotherapy and where it comes from

Definition: What is balneotherapy?

Woman makes alternating bath with feet

Balneotherapy can be defined as all therapies in which thermal mineral water baths or pools are the main focus. It typically involves bathing in natural thermal lakes or ponds, but can also involve bathing in swimming pools filled with thermal water or with a direct tap to the thermal source. The word balneotherapy is of Greek origin and is composed of "balneo", meaning "bath", and "therapy", meaning "treatment" or "health treatment". referedbath therapy".

Baths are of course inseparable from water, so balneotherapy is also a subgroup of hydrotherapy (healing through water). Within balneotherapy there are in turn special sub-forms such as the thermal therapies, the thalasso therapy or the Kneipp therapy, in each of which only special water is used.

Should you ever stumble across the term "balneology": this refers to the study of healing through baths.

Origin of balneotherapy

Bathing has been used for millennia as a way of cleaning, soothing and healing the body. Archeologists have found bathing rooms in the palace of Knossos even date back to the 18th century BC and evidence of people bathing in thermal springs and in lakes and seas even as early as the 1st century BC. Bathing was very popular among the Romans and some of their bath houses exist even today.

In the Victorian era, spa towns regained popularity and developed around natural springs in beautiful locations. Doctors explored the beneficial use of spring water for the health and developed our modern day spa and bathing therapies.

Balneotherapy in combination with other retreats

Since balneotherapy literally means "healing with the help of bathing" we often get the question "is it just bathing" and nothing more? The answer is of course no: today, balneotherapy involves many varied treatments and is often combined with other spa therapies, creating an all-round holistic healing effect.

Balneotherapy & hydrotherapy

Man in a hydro tub

Balneotherapy is also often combined with hydrotherapy, which is more focused on exercises and muscle regeneration using water (in pools, showers, water jets etc.).

Balneotherapy & climatotherapy

Dead Sea salt beach

Balneotherapy can also be undertaken at the Dead Sea in Jordan or Israel. This is especially beneficial for those with skin problems, such as psoriasis, eczema or vitiligo.

Balneotherapy & Kneipp therapy

Two women in Kneipp pool

Kneipp Therapy is a typical German spa treatment, using alternating hot and cold water baths and other water treatments, and is often combined with balneotherapy treatments.

Balneotherapy & thalassotherapy

Couple in sea water pool

Balneotherapy can also be combined with thalassotherapy. Thalassotherapy refers to a wide range of treatments using products from the sea, such as seawater, seaweed or sea salt, and involves bathing in seawater pools, which is then also a type of balneotherapy.

Balneotherapy & mineral water therapy

Spring water is poured for mineral water therapy

As you might guess, spring water is not only great for bathing, but also for drinking. This can be in mineral water drinking therapy: simply drinking the spring water, in specific amounts prescribed by the spa doctor, which is beneficial for digestive or mineral deficiency problems. Or in inhalation therapy: when the spring water is breathed in as a steam, which is highly beneficial for lung-related health issues.

The benefits and effects of balneotherapy

A hot bath is something wonderful. It warms the whole body, relaxes us, softens the muscles, blood vessels expand and we can rest. In addition, with a balneo bath in health water, the medicines dissolved in the water are absorbed through the skin and also through the respiratory tract. Depending on the composition of the healing water, these medicines can induce different effects in the body. For example, they can stimulate metabolism or have a pain-relieving effect. In some cases, the healing water also contains other additives such as essential oils. These are usually selected and customized according to the individual to enhance the positive effect of the bath even more.

Balneotherapy indications: Balneotherapy is particularly suitable for the conditions such as osteoarthritis, psoriasis, eczema, stress, circulatory disorders and rehabilitation after sports injuries, as well as for general improvement of well-being.

Classic balneotherapy treatments

Woman in brine pool

What are the classic treatments of balneotherapy?

  • Spring Water Bathing: due to the different mineral compositions, each type of spring water is suitable for different health issues.
  • Salt Water Bathing: the water is either naturally salty (i.e. from a salt lake or sea) or has added bath salts
  • Sulfur Bathing: spring water with a high sulfur content
  • Mud Bathing: mineral mud that is slightly watered-down with spring water
  • Oil Bathing: spring water with a herbal oil added
  • Exercise/watercourse: swimming in large pools where bodily movement is required, such as with a countercurrent channel.
  • Alternating hot-cold baths: first you will spend some time in a hot pool to warm you up, then a short dip in cold water, then hot water again, followed by cold water (Tip: don't be afraid of the short cold moments, after 5 minutes in warm water it is very beneficial and pleasant).
  • Partial bath: a bath where only some specific parts of the body are bathed

In addition to the baths, there are also the following complimentary balneotherapy treatments:

  • Mineral water drinking therapy: the spring water is used internally (drinkable). However, only a few types of spring water are suitable for this.
  • Inhalations: the health water is evaporated into steam and is taken in through the airways.

How best to book your retreats with balneotherapy

Since most of our health spa program include balneotherapy anyway, they are titled according to their specific type of therapy offer and you have a really excellent range of programs to choose from. Keep an eye out for the following offers:

  • Thermal spa therapy: Balneotherapy with thermal water
  • Thalassotherapy: Balneotherapy with seawater and other natural remedies from the sea
  • Kneipp therapy: Special balneotherapy with many alternate hot-cold bath treatments and beneficial bath salts & oils
  • Complex healing: Balneotherapy with complementary medical treatments
  • Mud therapy: Balneotherapy with mud baths
  • Fango therapy: Balneotherapy with thermal water and a special Italian mineral mud (Fango)
  • Radon therapy: Balneotherapy with radon-containing mineral water
  • Sulfur therapy: Balneotherapy with sulfur-containing mineral water

FAQ - Balneotherapy

Can I book balneotherapy as a mini break?
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What problems can be treated with balneotherapy?