Study on the anti-ageing effect of mud baths for fibromyalgia

Mud baths have long been used as a medical therapy for chronic pain. The minerals contained in thermal water reduce the specific heat capacity of the water, which leads to a more efficient warming of the body's core temperature. This can havepain-relieving effects for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, sciatica and fibromyalgia .

In a study conducted by Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, the biological effects of mud baths on fibromyalgia were examined in addition to pain reduction . Seven fibromyalgia patients undergoing inpatient treatment took a 10-minute mud bath at 40 °C every day for a period of one month.

At the end of the study, the participants reported an average reduction in pain to a quarter of the original level. In addition, positive changes in blood values were observed: a reduction in serum triglyceride and C-reactive protein levels as well as an increase in red blood cells, serum albumin levels and LDL cholesterol compared to patients without mud baths. This indicates that mud baths inhibit inflammation, counteract muscle breakdown and improve nutritional status.

The analysis of the telomere length of the circulating leukocytes is particularly noteworthy. A correlation was found between reduced telomere degradation and improvements in hemoglobin and serum albumin levels. This could indicate that mud baths extend the lifespan of leukocytes and thus potentially promote regenerative processes in the body.