Balneotherapy

Form of treatment in which substance-containing baths are used to support or in combination with other physical therapy measures (e.g. balneophototherapy) (see also heliotherapy). The effects of bath therapy are a combination of immersion, i.e. the water pressure and buoyancy, the temperature, and the respective additions in the bath water.

A distinction is made between:

Mineral baths

Thermal baths

brine baths

Carbon dioxide baths

Sulfur baths

Radon baths

Peloid baths/mud baths

Iodine baths

Salicylate baths

or hydroelectric baths

1. Leaute-Labreze C et al (2001) Saline spa water or combined water and UV-B for psoriasis vs conventional UV-B: lessons from the Salies de Bearn randomized study. Arch Dermatol 137: 1035-1039
2. Streit V et al (1994) Innovative balneotherapy with reduced bath volumes: foil baths. Dermatologist 45: 140-144
3. Beer AM (2005) Inpatient naturopathy handbook for hospital and rehabilitation settings. Urban & Fischer, ISBN 3-437-56890-6.