Spa doctor: who is a balneologist?

A balneologist or physiotherapist is a specialist who uses modern treatment methods using therapeutic mud, mineral waters and spa procedures. Let's take a closer look at who a balneologist is, what he does and what diseases he treats.

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Who is a balneologist?

A doctor whose work is equivalent to that of a physiotherapist. That is, a balneologist is a specialist who treats various diseases with the help of therapeutic mud and mineral waters. Translated from Latin, balneum means bathing, bathing in a bathtub, and therapeia in Greek means treatment. That is, balneology is a science that treats with mineral waters, bathing, and washing.

Balneotherapy is used to restore immunity and the body's protective properties. Balneology helps the body adapt to the environment and its changes, reduces disorders and complications that may arise during illness.

The competence of a balneologist includes the study of the physical and chemical properties of mineral waters. Selection of technology for the treatment and prevention of both external and internal diseases using mineral waters.

When should you see a balneologist?

Visitors to various resorts who undergo treatment with mineral waters and mud seek the help of a balneologist. Even spa procedures, which are so popular in modern beauty salons, are carried out by a qualified balneologist, and not a cosmetologist, as many mistakenly believe.

You should contact a balneologist if you have one of the above diseases or if you experience the following:

• Post-infarction rehabilitation.
• Problems and disorders of the nervous system.
• Pathologies and problems during pregnancy.
• Metabolism and metabolic processes are disrupted.
• You have chronic fatigue syndrome, you feel constant discomfort in your body.
• Problems with breathing and circulation.
• You often catch colds, that is, you have problems with the immune system.

A balneologist deals with complex treatment, so if you come with one problem, you will receive an effective set of procedures that are designed to treat your disease and prevent the whole body.

What tests should be taken when visiting a balneologist?

We offer a list of tests that you may have to take when visiting a balneologist. But the balneologist himself will tell you exactly what test you need to take.

Tests when visiting a balneologist:

• Complete urine and blood analysis.
• Biochemical blood test.
• Analysis to check the residual nitrogen in the blood.
• Hormonal tests:
  • adipose tissue markers;
  • thyroid gland;
  • pancreas;
  • reproductive organs;
  • adrenal glands.
• Analysis for oncological diseases.
• DNA, blood ELISA and PCR.
• Allergy tests.
• Tests that confirm or refute liver disease.

If you intend to see a balneologist, you will have to undergo a lot of tests. But it is worth it, since the tests and comprehensive diagnostics of the body will help the balneologist to create a suitable treatment that will rid you of the troubling disease.

What diagnostic methods does a balneologist use?

Since a balneologist practices treatment with mineral waters and therapeutic mud in his work, the methods of diagnosing diseases that a balneologist uses are a list of very unusual procedures, many of which cannot be carried out in a regular laboratory.

To diagnose diseases, a balneologist uses the following methods:

• Colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure for female genital organs using a colposcope, a device with a lighting mechanism and a binocular. It is a diagnostic procedure for the vagina and vaginal walls.
• Electrocardiographic diagnostics – diagnostics of the functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system.
• Chest fluorography.
• Colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine and bowel using a tube inserted into the body.
• Ultrasound diagnostic methods.
• Mammography is a diagnostic test for the mammary glands.
• Endoscopy is a method of diagnosing internal organs using a device called an endoscope.
• Rectomanoscopy is an examination of the intestinal and rectal mucosa.
• Examination of the fundus of the eye – for the diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system and eye diseases.
• Gastric juice examination – used to diagnose and assess the condition of the stomach and intestines.

When you seek help from a balneologist, you receive a list of tests that need to be taken. The doctor makes a list of tests after a full examination and based on your complaints about pain.

What does a balneologist do?

A balneologist treats the human body using mineral waters.

The range of treatment procedures performed by a balneologist includes:

• Mineral baths – designed to train the cardiovascular system. Mineral baths help balance and calm the nervous system and help restore metabolism. Also, baths with mineral waters help regulate the work of the internal glands of the body.
• Therapy of the cardiovascular system, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, that is, the entire musculoskeletal system.
• Prevention of gynecological diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
• Colon lavage, drinking, irrigation and inhalation using mineral waters.

The basis of balneotherapy, that is, the main occupation of a balneologist, is the study of mineral waters and their use for the benefit of the human body. The therapeutic effect of balneotherapy is in the reflex and humoral mechanism, which has a positive effect on the nervous system and blood.

A balneologist works at spa resorts that use mud and mineral waters for their healing purposes. That is, you won’t find a balneologist in a regular clinic.

What diseases does a balneologist treat?

A balneologist deals with complex therapy of the body and treats almost all diseases using mineral waters. Let's take a closer look at what problems and diseases a balneologist can help with.

What diseases does a balneologist treat:

• Bronchial asthma.
• Anemia.
• Problems with the nervous system.
• Anemia.
• Thyroid diseases.
• Inflammation of the joints, gout.
• Respiratory diseases (bronchial problems and respiratory allergies).
• Diseases that are associated with disruption of the circulatory system and blood circulation, which can lead to heart failure.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Skin diseases.
• Malignant tumors.
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and movement organs.
• Tuberculosis.
• Chronic arthritis.
• Diseases of the liver and gallbladder.
• Bone and muscle diseases.
• Metabolic and digestive disorders.
• Treatment and rehabilitation in the post-traumatic period.
• Diseases of the bladder and kidneys.
• Gastric catarrh and chronic intestinal diseases.

And this is not the entire list of diseases that a balneologist treats. The peculiarity of treating any disease with the help of balneology is physiotherapy and a comprehensive approach to the problem, finding the source of the disease.

Advice from a balneologist

If you have turned to a balneologist for help in treating a disease or simply for a consultation or prescription for disease prevention, then you will be interested to know the advice of a balneologist.

The following advice from a balneologist can be highlighted:

If you have problems with your stomach, kidneys, metabolic disorders, liver pain, and you are overweight, then all this can be cured with the help of mineral water therapy. The therapy consists of drinking water from a spring.

There are several types of health resorts where a balneologist works. Each of the resorts is designed to treat a particular disease. Let's look at the main health resorts and the advice of a balneologist that relates to a particular health resort.

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Thermal spas

• Resorts with hot springs, which are used to treat all diseases. Water from hot springs is used for hydromassages and simply healing baths.
• The thermal resort is suitable for those who suffer from circulatory disorders, diseases of the nervous system, have a weakened immune system, problems with the musculoskeletal system and chronic fatigue.
• The main procedures that are carried out at such resorts are hydromassages in hot springs and special baths, therapeutic rest in steam rooms and saunas, underwater gymnastics and swimming. Thermal resorts are located in: Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland.

Spa resorts

• Medical and restorative resorts that use regular tap water, but with the addition of medicinal preparations, mud, algae, and essential oils.
• A balneological resort can be found in any sanatorium. Treatment is used at any time of the year, it does not depend on the season or climate zone in which the resort is located.

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Climate resorts

• Treatment with the help of climate features of meteorological factors. The basis of treatment is the study of the physiological mechanism and its recovery with the help of climatic conditions.
• Climate resorts treat diseases of the respiratory and nervous systems, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and help restore metabolism in the body.
• There are several types of climatic resorts: mountain, continental, sea. At any of these resorts, they use walks in the fresh air, swimming, sunbathing and air baths.

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Thalassotherapy resorts

• These resorts are located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The basis of treatment is salts, algae, mud, sea water. They have a general health effect, treat colds, help with rehabilitation, stress and fatigue.
• Balneologists recommend treatment at such resorts during the cold season. It is the seasonality of treatment that allows you to effectively deal with the most problematic diseases.
• Thalassotherapy can be carried out together with cosmetic procedures – facial and body skin care, rejuvenation, weight loss. As a rule, such resorts are located near lakes or mountainous areas.

A balneologist is a doctor who can cure any disease with the power of water and the healing effects of natural minerals. When you seek help from a balneologist, you are guaranteed not only comprehensive treatment, but also excellent, unforgettable rest and relaxation.