Spa doctor: who is a balneologist?
A balneologist or physiotherapist is a specialist who uses modern methods of treatment with therapeutic muds, mineral waters and spa procedures. Let's take a closer look at who is a balneologist, what he is doing and what diseases he is treating.
Who is a balneologist?
A doctor whose work is equated with the work of a physiotherapist. That is, a balneologist is a specialist who treats various diseases with the help of therapeutic mud and mineral water. In translation from the Latin balneum - this is bathing, bathing in the bathroom, and therapeia in translation from Greek means treatment. That is, balneology is a science that treats with mineral waters, bathing, washing.
Balneotherapy is used to restore immunity and protective properties of the body. Balneology helps the body to adapt to the environment and its changes, reduces the violations and complications that may occur during illness.
The competence of the balneologist is to study the physical and chemical properties of mineral waters. Selection of technology for the treatment and prevention of both external and internal diseases with the help of mineral water.
When should I go to a balneologist?
For the help of the balneologist, visitors to various resorts who treat with mineral waters and muds turn. Even spa procedures that are so popular in modern beauty salons are conducted by a qualified balneologist, and not by a beautician, as many mistakenly believe.
To a balneologist, you should contact if you have one of the above diseases or you have the following:
- Post-infarction rehabilitation.
- Problems and disorders of the nervous system.
- Pathologies and problems in pregnancy.
- The metabolism and metabolic process are disturbed.
- At you a syndrome of chronic weariness, you feel constant indispositions of an organism.
- Problems with breathing and circulation.
- You often get colds, that is, problems with the immune system.
The balneologist is engaged in complex treatment, therefore having addressed with one problem, you receive an effective complex of procedures which are calculated on treatment of your disease and preventive maintenance of all organism.
What tests do I need to take when I contact a balneologist?
We offer a list of tests that you may have to hand over to the balneologist. But specifically, what kind of analysis you need to pass will say the doctor himself balneologist.
Analyzes when referring to a balneologist:
- Complete analysis of urine and blood.
- Blood chemistry.
- Analysis for checking residual blood nitrogen.
- Analyzes for hormones:
- markers of adipose tissue;
- thyroid;
- pancreas;
- reproductive organs;
- adrenal glands.
- Analysis for oncological diseases.
- DNA, ELISA blood and PCR.
- Allergological tests.
- Analyzes confirming or refuting liver diseases.
If you intend to apply to a balneologist, then you will have to pass a lot of tests. But it's worth it, since the tests and complex diagnostics of the body will help the balneologist to make a suitable treatment that will save you from a troubling disease.
What diagnostic methods does the balneologist use?
Since the balneologist practices mineral water and mud treatments in her work, the methods of diagnosing the diseases that the balneologist uses are a list of very unusual procedures, many of which can not be done in a conventional laboratory.
For diagnostics of diseases, the balneologist uses such methods:
- Colposcopy - diagnosis of female genital organs with the help of a colposcope - a device with a lighting mechanism and a binocular. It is a diagnosis of the vagina and vaginal walls.
- Electrocardiographic diagnosis - diagnosis of the heart and cardiovascular system.
- Fluorography of the chest.
- Colonoscopy - examination of the large intestine and intestine by inserting a probe into the body.
- Ultrasound diagnostic methods.
- Mammography - diagnosis of the breast.
- Endoscopy is a method of diagnosing internal organs with the help of an instrument-an endoscope.
- Recto-manoscopy - examination of the mucous membrane of the intestine and rectum.
- Investigation of the fundus - for the diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system and eye diseases.
- The study of gastric juice - used to diagnose and assess the state of the stomach and intestines.
Having addressed for the help to the balneologist, you receive the list of analyzes which it is necessary to hand over. The doctor makes a list of tests after a full examination and, based on your complaints regarding pain.
What does a balneologist do?
The balneologist deals with the treatment of the human body with the help of mineral waters.
The complex of medical procedures, which the balneologist deals with, includes:
- Mineral baths - designed to train the cardiovascular system. Mineral baths allow you to balance and calm the nervous system and help with the restoration of metabolism. Also, baths with mineral waters allow to regulate the work of the internal glands of the body.
- Therapy of the cardiovascular system, vessels, ligaments, tendons, that is, a fully musculoskeletal system.
- Prevention of gynecological diseases and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Bowel rinsing, 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 a reflex and humoral mechanism, which has a positive effect on the nervous system and blood.
The balneologist works at spa-resorts, which use mineral waters for their therapeutic purposes. That is, in a conventional clinic, a balneologist will not be able to meet.
What kind of diseases is the balneologist treating?
The balneologist is engaged in complex therapy of an organism and treats practically all diseases with use of mineral waters. Let's take a closer look at what problems and diseases the balneologist will be able to cope with.
What diseases balneologist treats:
- Bronchial asthma.
- Anemia.
- Problems with the nervous system.
- Anemia.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland.
- Inflammation of the joints, gout.
- Diseases of the respiratory system (problems with bronchial tubes and respiratory allergies).
- Diseases that are associated with a violation 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 organs of motion.
- 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 whole list of diseases that the balneologist treats. The peculiarity of the treatment of any disease with the help of balneology is physiotherapy and a comprehensive approach to the problem, the search for the source of the disease.
Advices of a balneology doctor
If you have turned to a balneologist for help in the treatment of a disease or simply by consulting or prescribing for the prevention of ailment, you will be interested in knowing the advice of a balneologist.
One can single out the following advice of a balneologist:
If you have problems with the stomach, kidneys, metabolism is broken, the liver hurts, and you are overweight, then all this can be cured with mineral water therapy. Therapy is the drinking of water from a source.
There are several types of medical resorts, where a balneologist works. Each of the resorts is designed to treat a particular disease. Let's look at the main medical resorts and advice of a balneologist who are related to one or another health resort.
Thermal Resorts
- Resorts with hot springs, which are used to treat all diseases. Water from hot springs is used for hydromassages and simply curative baths.
- Thermal resort is suitable for those who suffer from circulatory disorders, diseases of the nervous system, has weakened immunity, 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 bathrooms, medical rest in steam rooms and saunas, underwater gymnastics and swimming. Thermal spas are in: Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland.
Balneological resorts
- Treatment and recovery resorts, which use ordinary tap water, but with the addition of medicines, mud, algae, essential oils.
- Balneokurort can be found in any sanatorium. Treatment is used at any time of the year, it does not depend on the season or climatic zone in which the resort is located.
Climate resorts
- Treatment with the help of climatic features of meteorological factors. The basis of treatment is the study of the physiological mechanism and its recovery by means of climatic conditions.
- Climate resorts treat diseases of the respiratory and nervous system, problems with the heart and blood vessels, help restore metabolism in the body.
- There are several types of climatic resorts: mountain, continental, marine. At any of these resorts use outdoor walks, swimming, taking sun and air baths.
Thalassotherapy Resorts
- These resorts are located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The basis of treatment - salt, algae, mud, sea water. They have a general health effect, treat colds, help with rehabilitation, stress and overwork.
- Balneologists recommend to be treated at such resorts in the cold season. It is the seasonal nature of the treatment that can effectively cope 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 highlands.
A balneologist is a doctor who is able to cure any disease with the help of water and the healing effects of natural minerals. When seeking help from a balneologist, you are guaranteed not only a comprehensive treatment, but also an excellent, unforgettable rest and relaxation.
Medical expert editor
Portnov Alexey Alexandrovich
Education: Kiev National Medical University. A.A. Bogomolets, Specialty - "General Medicine"