Hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa treatment in pain management

Authors: Bender T (1) , Karagülle MZ (2) , Balint GP (3) , Gutenbrunner C (4) , Sukenik S (5)

Affiliations:

(1) Polyclinic of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God (2) Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, İstanbul Medical Faculty, İstanbul University (3) National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy (4) Institute for Balneology and Medical Climatology in the Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hannover Medical School (5) Soroka University Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University

Source: Rheumatol Int. 2005 Apr;25(3):220-4

DOI: 10.1007/s00296-004-0487-4 Publication date: 2005 Apr E-Publication date: July 15, 2004 Availability: abstract Copyright: 2004, Springer-Verlag

Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: bender@mail.datanet.hu

Keywords

water treatment

Article abstract

The use of water for medical treatment is probably as old as mankind. Until the middle of the last century, spa treatment, including hydrotherapy and balneotherapy, remained popular but went into decline especially in the Anglo-Saxon world with the development of effective analgesics. However, no analgesic, regardless of its potency, is capable of eliminating pain, and reports of life-threatening adverse reactions to the use of these drugs led to renewed interest in spa therapy. Because of methodologic difficulties and lack of research funding, the effects of 'water treatments' in the relief of pain have rarely been subjected to rigorous assessment by randomised, controlled trials. It is our opinion that the three therapeutic modalities must be considered separately, and this was done in the present paper. In addition, we review the research on the mechanism of action and cost effectiveness of such treatments and examine what research might be useful in the future.

Find it online