Balneotherapy

Balneotherapy is the therapeutic use of baths and bathing in mineral-rich waters, muds, or related natural preparations for health purposes. It includes immersion in thermal or mineral waters, medicated mud applications (peloids), and related spa therapies.

Treatments are delivered in spa facilities, clinics, or hospitals and can involve natural hot springs, artificial mineral baths, mud wraps, or inhalation of mineral vapors. Sessions are usually scheduled over several days or weeks and tailored to the patient’s condition.

The practice has ancient roots and became a cornerstone of spa medicine in Europe during the 18th–19th centuries. Balneology is the medical discipline that studies the therapeutic effects of water and mud.

Common indications include musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis and low back pain, inflammatory skin diseases, fibromyalgia, and circulatory conditions. Proposed mechanisms include temperature effects, buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure, and chemical actions from minerals such as sulfur, bicarbonate, and silica, as well as relaxation and placebo effects.

Evidence is mixed and condition-dependent; balneotherapy is usually considered an adjunct to conventional care rather than a replacement. Safety considerations include potential skin irritation, overheating, dehydration, and contraindications for certain cardiovascular or pregnancy conditions. Treatments should be guided by qualified professionals.