Everyone who has ever visited Essentuki knows about mineral water baths. But not everyone fully understood their features. What makes mineral baths so popular, what effect do they have on the body, and what indications and contraindications are there for their use? Let's try to look at all this in more detail with photos.
Purpose and features
Let's start with the fact that pearl or carbon dioxide mineral treatment improves blood circulation. Namely, it is one of the main functional features of the body. Poor blood circulation is often the cause of serious diseases not only of the cardiovascular system, but also internal organs. This is because our blood is a conductor of nutrients to all organs and parts of the body. It is the blood that carries oxygen to all systems, receiving it from the air. Therefore, stimulation of good blood circulation is the very basis on which treatment with mineral baths is based.
A pearl or carbon dioxide mineral bath is a reservoir filled with liquid - mineral water and additional elements that, through this water, carry the necessary substances for a person through his skin.
Indications for mineral baths are as follows:
- endocrine diseases (even a mild form of diabetes, but consultation with a specialist is important);
- some cardiovascular diseases;
- gynecological abnormalities;
- dermatitis;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- arthrosis;
- varicose veins;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- ailments of the digestive system.
Attention! Under no circumstances should you start taking mineral baths without a doctor’s advice! Like any health procedures, they must be supervised by specialists and prescribed only when indicated, despite all their beneficial properties!
There are also contraindications for mineral baths. Moreover, despite the large list of indications, there are many reasons to refuse their use (this is confirmed by patient reviews), namely:
- allergic reactions to bath components;
- neuroses, especially of moderate and severe severity;
- arterial hypertension;
- presence of peptic ulcers;
- previous injuries, especially to the head;
- pregnancy;
- some stages and types of cancer;
- renal failure;
- candidiasis;
- acute viral infections (at the peak of the disease);
- eczema and open skin wounds.
Otherwise, taking carbon dioxide or pearl baths helps strengthen the body. Their course can be prescribed even to a healthy person as a means of relieving stress and an auxiliary way to improve overall well-being - their beneficial properties are so good.
Sanatoriums
It is important to note that when heading to Essentuki or Crimea, it is worthwhile to undergo a course of examination and obtain a medical opinion about your state of health. Many specialized institutions require a medical examination of the patient before admission for a preventive period.
Hydrotherapy
Therapeutic baths come in different temperatures, durations, and different water compositions.
There are also general and local baths.
Based on the temperature of the bath, they distinguish
temperature
duration
action
cold
cool
tonic effect, activate metabolism, hardening effect
indifferent (thermally indifferent)
up to several hours
Sedative and antipruritic effect
10-20 minutes
reduce irritability, normalize sleep, analgesic, antispasmodic, and vasodilating effects
analgesic and antispastic effect
Fresh baths.
Baths with fresh water have only a thermal effect on the body.
A common bath requires 200-250 liters of water. If the water cools down, you can add warm water every 5 minutes to maintain the desired temperature.
Precautions: Water should not cover the chest, as this will affect blood circulation and make breathing difficult. When taking hot baths, it is recommended to place a cool, wet towel on the head and/or heart. It is also necessary to measure the pulse and breathing rate. After leaving a warm bath, you need to dry yourself with a warm towel (or sheet), and then apply dry rubbing with a towel. After cold baths, dry rubbing is also recommended until the body feels warm. After taking a hot bath, pour cool water from a bucket (1-2 buckets) or take a shower for 1 minute at a temperature (30-32*C).
After any therapeutic water procedure, rest for 20-30 minutes is necessary.
Contrast baths are carried out in two large baths or in special pools.
First, 2-3 minutes are slowly lowered into a hot bath (38-40 * C), then go into a cold bath (10-24 * C) for just one minute, where you must move. After the cold one, they go back to the hot bath, and repeat this from -x to 5 times, ending the procedure with either a hot bath, which has a calming effect, or a cold one, which, on the contrary, tones. After baths taken for medicinal purposes, be sure to wipe the skin dry and rest for about 30 minutes. Course of 5-10 procedures. The interval is every other day. For hardening purposes - up to 30 procedures.
Local baths.
Local baths: hand, foot, sitz and Gauff baths.
When taking Gauff baths, the temperature of the water in the container is constantly increased. To take a Gauff bath, you need to prepare for the procedure as follows: completely undress and wrap yourself in a sheet and a blanket on top of the sheet. Pour water at a temperature of 36*C into a container and immerse your feet or hands in it. And then, within 10 minutes, add hot water in parts so that the water temperature reaches 42-45*C. During this procedure, the patient's body temperature gradually rises and sweating begins, first on the face, then on the chest, back and throughout the body. This is maintained for 10 minutes, and at the end of the procedure, the entire body is wiped dry, the patient is covered with a dry sheet, wrapped in a blanket and allowed to rest for another 30 minutes. Gauff baths can be taken daily, because... they are well tolerated. Course 10-15 baths.
Sitz baths.
Sitz baths are usually flow-through. They can be cool, warm or hot, depending on the disease. In sitz baths, the water should only cover the upper thighs, pelvis and abdomen. The upper part of the body should be covered with a sheet and a blanket on top, and the feet should be immersed in warm water. A cold compress is placed on the head.
Hand and foot baths.
For hand baths, the forearm and hand are immersed in the water, and for foot baths, only the feet or legs up to the knees. Hand and foot baths can be cool (20-25*C), warm (37-38*C), and rarely hot (40-44*C). Warm baths take 20-30 minutes, and cool and hot ones from 5 to 15 minutes.
To enhance the skin reaction, contrasting hand and foot baths are sometimes used. The limbs are alternately immersed in hot water for 1-2 minutes and cold water for 30 seconds. https://text.ru/antiplagiat/59767d51561c8
Salt baths are prepared by adding 2 to 10 kg of salt to the bath. Baths containing 10 kg or more are called brine baths. Salt, irritating the peripheral nerve endings of the skin, reduces the threshold of its excitability, as a result of which a salt bath with a temperature of (35*C) is perceived as warm (38*C). Salt baths improve peripheral blood circulation and enhance metabolism.
Methodology: Water temperature 35-38*C, duration 10-15 minutes, every other day, 10-15 baths per course. You can use salt-pine baths.
Indications: Used for polyarthritis, neuritis, stage 1 hypertension, initial symptoms of cardiosclerosis, as well as in pediatric practice for rickets as general strengthening procedures.
Coniferous and other aromatic baths irritate not only skin receptors, but also the endings of the olfactory nerve. To prepare a pine bath, 1-2 pine tablets or 1-2 tablespoons of liquid or dry pine extract are dissolved in fresh water.
Methodology: Water temperature 34-36*C, duration 10-15 minutes, every other day, 10-15 baths per course. Indications: Used for functional diseases nervous system.
Contraindications: general for fresh baths. Pine baths have a pleasant smell and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Sage baths are prepared by dissolving liquid or condensed clary sage condensate in water.
Methodology: Water temperature 35-37*C, duration 8-15 minutes, every other day, 12-15 baths per course.
Indications: sage baths have an analgesic and calming effect, are used for diseases and consequences of traumatic lesions of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system, for chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, neurodermatitis, scaly lichen and other skin diseases,
Mustard baths can be general or local. Dry mustard is pre-diluted in warm water at 36-38*C to a homogeneous liquid consistency in the proportion of 100-200 grams per 200 liters of water for a general bath, or 10-15 grams per 10-15 liters of water for a local bath. The diluted mixture is poured into the bath and stirred.
Methodology: Water temperature 36-38 * C for a general bath and 38-40 * for a local bath, duration 5-10 minutes for a general bath and 10-15 minutes for a local bath. To enhance the therapeutic effect, the bath should be covered with a thick sheet or blanket. After the bath, you need to wash yourself with warm water, wipe yourself dry, wrap yourself up and rest for 30-60 minutes.
Indications: General mustard baths are indicated for chronic pneumonia, chronic bronchitis. Local baths are indicated for acute respiratory diseases, bronchial asthma, initial manifestations of coronary heart disease, and neuroses. Mustard baths cause a pronounced expansion of peripheral blood vessels, which is manifested by hyperemia of the knees, slow down the heart rate and deepen breathing, lower blood pressure, and reduce the excitability of the nervous system.
Alkaline (soda) baths are prepared by adding from 500 grams to 1 kg of soda to the bath.
Methodology: Water temperature 35-37*C, duration 10-15 minutes, every other day, 10-15 baths per course. Indications: Alkaline baths are prescribed for skin diseases as they soften the stratum corneum of the epidermis and wash away sebum. Sometimes salt-alkaline baths are used (for 2-5 kg of salt - 500 grams of soda).
Pearl baths are prepared by saturating fresh water with atmospheric air under a pressure of 0.5-1.5 at. The bathtub, at the bottom of which is a wooden grate with several rows of thin metal tubes with small holes for the release of air bubbles, is filled with fresh water. Using an air pump (compressor), air under pressure is supplied to the indicated tubes; Air coming out of the holes causes the water to boil. The degree of bubbling and the size of the bubbles can be adjusted by changing the pressure. Pearl baths normalize the excitability of the nervous system, have a sedative effect, restore muscle tone, cause a reflex expansion of skin capillaries and accelerate blood flow in them.
Methodology: Water temperature 35-37*C, duration 10-15 minutes, daily or every other day, 10-20 baths per course.
Indications: arterial hypertension of the 1st and 2nd degrees, neurocirculatory dystonia, cerebral palsy, hysteria, post-traumatic asthenic syndrome, psychoses, general fatigue. Contraindications: general for hydrotherapy.
Gas baths are baths of water supersaturated with gas, released in the form of bubbles on the skin. In addition to temperature and mechanical factors, the peculiar influence of the gas itself plays a large role in these baths.
Physical impact: at the moment of settling and detachment from the surface of the skin, gas bubbles irritate the receptors located in it, carrying out a kind of tactile micro massage; at the same time, two temperature irritants act on the skin at once, since the difference between the temperature of water and dissolved gas can reach 20-25 * C.
Chemical exposure occurs when the gas enters the bloodstream and when the gas released from the water is inhaled into the lungs. This effect is different for each gas and has different effects on the state of the organs and systems of the body.
No comments yet. Be the first! 973 views
Balneotherapy is carried out using water, various salts and minerals in an amount of at least 2 grams per liter. Physiotherapy with mineral baths is used to treat many diseases. But there are also contraindications. Let's look at the types of mineral baths, why they are performed, and also what therapeutic baths are indicated for osteochondrosis.
Types of baths
Considering chemical composition water, baths can be as follows:
- chloride;
- sodium chloride-bicarbonate;
- magnesium-calcium hydrocarbonate;
- iodine;
- bromine;
- iodine-bromine.
Also, some diseases are treated with nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide baths.
Benefits of treatments with minerals
Mineral baths are often used to relax, strengthen and calm the body.
The procedures help improve metabolic processes, enhance immunity, and accelerate skin regeneration. Baths improve blood circulation and normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland.
When are procedures used and prohibited?
Water procedures containing minerals and salts are used for stress, disturbed sleep, diseases of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system, arthritis and arthrosis.
Water procedures help with diseases of the genitourinary system, dermatitis, problems with the thyroid gland, and cardiovascular diseases.
General contraindications to taking mineral baths:
- allergy to additives added to water;
- candidiasis;
- recent head injuries;
- oncology;
- renal failure;
- pregnancy.
Baths are also prohibited at high blood pressure.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
If you have osteochondrosis, you need to take a bath carefully. Remember that the water temperature should be the same as the person's health condition. This means that it is selected taking into account the stage of the disease.
Types of baths for osteochondrosis:
Hot procedures for the purpose of recovery. The water temperature for the procedure should be slightly above 40 degrees. Thanks to the bath, metabolism increases and harmful substances are removed from the body. You can take a bath for 10 minutes. Contraindications to the procedures are impaired functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Warm baths are performed at a water temperature of 37–39 degrees. The duration of their administration is 10 – 15 minutes. Warm procedures relieve muscle tension due to osteochondrosis, and also relieve pain. The nervous system calms down, sleep becomes better. After the procedure, the body is dried with a towel, and the person goes to bed to rest.
Take cold baths for 2 minutes with a water temperature of at least 25 degrees. Such procedures strengthen the body, improve metabolism, and tone up.
The water temperature is determined by the doctor after studying the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the patient.
Salt baths
For osteochondrosis, salt baths are often prescribed for better blood circulation and normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
To make a saline solution for procedures, take 3 - 5 kg of any salt. To dissolve it, pour the salt into a gauze bag and hang it from the tap so that water flows through it.
You can take a bath for 15 minutes. Remember that salt procedures are contraindicated during exacerbation of diseases.
Application of fir
Baths with fir oil are often used to improve skin condition. They also help eliminate cellulite on any part of the body. Fir tones the skin, makes it more elastic, removes wrinkles, and restores the skin after any damage.
Fir baths are prohibited if you are allergic to pine needles.
To improve skin condition, you can add 10 drops of fir oil to the water. Water temperature - 38 degrees. You should take a bath, dry your skin and go to bed to rest.
Remember! If you drop more fir oil into water than you should, you can get burns on the skin, as well as cause shortness of breath and breathing problems.
Procedures with radon
Radon is added to water to cure or alleviate symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin diseases, and metabolism.
Contraindications to the use of a radon bath: hyperthermia, severe neurosis, exacerbation of diseases, tuberculosis, radon intolerance, pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.
The use of turpentine baths
Gum turpentine is obtained from the resins of coniferous trees, which is used for baths.
The usefulness of turpentine procedures
Turpentine baths have antiseptic and analgesic properties. They improve blood circulation, activate metabolism, normalize blood pressure, and relieve inflammation.
Types of turpentine baths
Turpentine baths come in the following types:
- White baths are made by adding an emulsified form of turpentine to water, which dissolves easily. The procedures open sealed capillaries, train blood vessels, normalize low blood pressure, saturate organs and tissues with oxygen, and improve tissue trophism.
- When castor oil and oleic acid are added to turpentine, a yellow turpentine bath is obtained. Such a bath cleanses the capillaries of toxins, removes accumulated fluid from the body, and normalizes high blood pressure.
The doctor determines what type of turpentine procedure the patient needs after examining his health.
When is it possible and when not to take a turpentine bath?
Turpentine baths are used for diseases of the blood and cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, liver and gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, and neurological ailments.
It is contraindicated to use a turpentine bath for tuberculosis, arrhythmia, severe hypertension, heart failure, oncology, turpentine intolerance, and also during pregnancy.
Application of sulfide baths
Hydrogen sulfide baths are different, since the sulfide solution is added to the water in a certain dosage. Therefore, baths can have weak, medium, strong and very strong concentrations.
Hydrogen sulfide baths have anti-inflammatory, metabolic, immunomodulatory, and secretory properties.
Procedures with hydrogen sulfide normalize the functioning of the nervous system and reduce blood pressure.
Sulfide baths are contraindicated for asthma, atherosclerosis, brain diseases, circulatory failure, angina pectoris, liver and gallbladder diseases, and thyrotoxicosis.
Application of nitrogen baths
Nitrogen baths improve performance endocrine system, relieve pain and tone, help relieve inflammation of the genitourinary system.
Nitrogen should not be used during pregnancy, bleeding, oncology, or renal failure.
Silicon Applications
Silicon solution is used to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, increase immunity, strengthen blood vessels, relieve fatigue and inflammation, and heal wounds.
Silicon water is taken orally or used for baths after consultation with a doctor.
It is prohibited to use silicon in oncology. It is tested for radioactivity and impurities before use. For procedures, silicon of light shades is taken.
Now you know what mineral baths are, what they are intended for, what their indications and contraindications are. It is important to take water procedures after consulting a doctor.
Mineral baths (balneotherapy) is one of the types of physiotherapeutic treatment based on the use of mineral water baths for treatment, which strengthen the body, help adapt to changes in the external environment, and normalize metabolic processes. They have analgesic, relaxing, antibacterial, and calming effects.
Types of mineral baths
Depending on the degree of mineralization (salt content in grams per 1 liter of water), the following are distinguished:
- Low mineral waters, with salt content up to 2g/l.
- Low mineralization waters, salt content 2 – 5 g/l.
- Waters of medium mineralization, salt content 5 – 15 g/l.
- High mineralization waters, salt content 15 – 35 g/l.
- Brines, salt content 35 – 150 g/l.
- Strong brines, salt content over 150 g/l.
Depending on their composition, mineral waters are divided into:
- Chloride.
- Sodium chloride-hydrocarbonate.
- Bicarbonate magnesium-calcium.
According to the saturation of mineral water with gas (gas content in ml in 1 liter of water) there are:
- Highly gas-saturated, gas content more than 1000 ml/l.
- Medium gas saturated, gas content 1000 - 100 ml/l.
- Slightly gas-saturated, gas content 100 – 50 ml/l.
- Very slightly gas-saturated, gas content less than 50 ml/l.
Depending on the predominance of one of the gases in mineral water, the following are distinguished:
- Carbon dioxide mineral waters.
- Sulfide (hydrogen sulfide) mineral waters:
- weakly hydrogen sulfide, sulfide ion content 10 – 50 mg/l;
- average, 51 – 100 mg/l;
- strong, 101 – 250 mg/l;
- especially strong, more than 251 mg/l.
- Nitrogen mineral waters.
Depending on the pH reaction, mineral waters are divided into:
- Strongly acidic (pH less than 3.5).
- Acidic (pH 3.6 – 5.5).
- Slightly acidic (pH 5.6 – 6.8).
- Neutral (pH 6.9 – 7.2).
- Slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 – 8.5).
- Alkaline (pH 8.6 or more).
Depending on the predominance of microelements in mineral water, they are distinguished:
- Ferrous mineral waters (high iron content).
- Arsenic mineral waters (with high content arsenic).
- Iodine mineral waters.
- Iodine-bromine mineral waters.
- Bromine mineral waters.
- Mineral waters with a predominance of copper.
- Mineral waters with a predominance of zinc.
- Mineral waters with a predominance of magnesium.
- Mineral waters with a predominance of aluminum.
- Mineral waters with a predominance of lead.
- Radon (radioactive) mineral waters:
- weak radon, radioactivity 0.2 – 1.5 kBq/l;
- medium radon, radioactivity 1.6 – 7.4 kBq/l;
- high-radon, radioactivity 7.5 - and more than 1.5 kBq/l.
Indications for mineral baths for diseases of the spinal column
- pain in the cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral spine;
- crunching when bending and turning the body;
- impaired coordination of movements, memory loss;
- chest pain;
- impaired sensitivity in the upper and lower extremities;
- numbness, tingling, “crawling” sensation on the skin of the hands and feet;
- rapid cooling of the upper and lower extremities;
- decreased motor activity or decreased range of motion in the upper or lower extremities;
- disruption of the pelvic organs (urination, defecation (stool), sexual activity).
Mineral baths can be used to treat spinal diseases such as:
- eliminate pain and improve microcirculation in the intervertebral discs with Schmorl's hernias, herniated intervertebral discs;
- dislocations, sprains of the ligaments of the spine;
- strengthening the back muscles;
- complex treatment of spinal curvatures (kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis), which is aimed at reducing pain and strengthening the muscles that support the spine;
- inflammatory processes in the spine (osteomyelitis, spondylitis of bacterial or infectious origin) in the healing stage and with normalization of laboratory parameters (general blood count, general urinalysis).
For the treatment of spinal diseases the following is used:
- iodine-bromine baths;
- sulfide baths;
- radon baths.
Preparing the patient for the procedure
No special preparation is required for a mineral water bath.
Carrying out the procedure
Iodine-bromine baths
For preparation, mineral water from the Khadyzhensk resort, located in the Krasnodar Territory, is used. To 200 liters of mineral water add 100 g of sodium iodide, 250 g of potassium bromide, 2 g of sea salt.
They have a predominantly pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing effect on the body. It has some bactericidal properties and improves microcirculation in tissues.
The patient is placed in a bath for 10 - 15 minutes with a water temperature of 35 - 370C. Procedures are prescribed every other day. The course of treatment is 15 – 20 baths.
Sulfide (hydrogen sulfide) baths
To prepare baths, mineral water from the Matsesta resort in Sochi is used as a basis. Sodium sulfide, hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and table salt are added to it.
Sulfide baths are taken in well-ventilated areas with a supply large quantity fresh air.
The patient is placed in a bath for 7 - 15 minutes with a water temperature of 35 - 370C. The course of treatment is 12 – 14 procedures.
Radon baths
To prepare baths, radium is used, which is stored in a special lead, hermetically sealed container. The most commonly used are medium radon baths with a radon concentration of 1.5 – 3.0 kBq/l.
The duration of the procedure varies from 10 to 15 minutes at a water temperature of 35 to 370C. The course of treatment is 15 – 20 baths. Baths are prescribed every other day.
Contraindications
- Inflammatory processes in the body in the acute stage, which are accompanied by a rise in temperature;
- The presence of long-term non-healing foci of purulent infection (bedsores, ulcers);
- Dermato-venereological diseases;
- Fungal skin diseases;
- Chronic diseases of the cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary systems;
- Malignant neoplasms;
- Postoperative period;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- Presence of mental illness (schizophrenia, epilepsy);
- Alcohol, drug intoxication.
Loading...
