1. Balneotherapy: Sorting Truth from Myth Rob Kutter Tom Sanecki

2. Overview Purpose History of healing springs Medicinal claims Categories of springs Examples Summary of health benefits Conclusion

3. Purpose Look at chemical composition of “healing” springs Determine validity of healing claims

4. Historical Perspective First commented on in ancient Greece by Herodotus Hippocrates used extensively Romans built them from Africa to England

5. Historical Perspective (con’t) Gained prominence throughout Europe in the Renaissance Replaced by public hospitals and clinics in the 20 th century

6. Healing Claims Rheumatism Infertility Neurological disorders Allergies Skin conditions (including Leprosy) Smallpox

7. Categories of Curative Springs Saltwater Springs Alkaline Springs Acidic Springs Radioactive Springs

8. Ikaria Radioactive Springs Located on the island of Ikaria, in Greece First observer of curative properties was Herodotus (484- 410 B.C. Formed from tectonic fissures

9. Ikaria Cave Spring pH (at 20 deg. C) : 7.1 P co2 : 4.57 x 10 -3 (as calculated in MINEQL+)

10. Health Effects of Mineral Spring Water Reduces dermal itching Improved mobility for people suffering from osteoarthritis of the spine, hips, and knees Improves Rheumatoid Arthritis –A study involving daily bathing in water containing Dead Sea salts showed 76% of participants improved quality of life

11. Bad Urach Village in Germany, founded in 1316 Hyperthermal (61C) springs found in 1970 “Bad” (spa) added to town name in 1985

12. Bad Urach pH (at 54C) : 8.02 P co2 : 10 -1.52

13. Health Effects of Thermal Springs Reduces stress on heart Increase of oxygen in the blood and decrease of carbon dioxide in the blood Increased blood flow in the skin Increased activity of immune system for up to an hour after bathing Carbon Dioxide Spring  decrease in blood pressure

14. Summary of Health Benefits Chronic rheumatic diseases Metabolic Diseases (diabetes, obesity, etc.) Chronic gastrointestinal diseases Chronic mild respiratory diseases

15. Summary of Health Benefits (cont’d) Chronic dermal diseases Chronic gynecologic diseases Circulatory diseases (hypertension especially) Stress-induced diseases

16. Conclusion Certain chronic diseases such as skin disorders and arthritis may be treated effectively by specific types of spa water Consumers should be wary of claims made by spas