An online event titled “Healing Waters” was held by Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO). The Head of Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Program, Lecturer Kübra Akkalay, participated in the online event. Akkalay drew attention to Balneotherapy and its current use as a unique treatment method in thermal spas and cure centers.
“Currently used as a unique treatment method”
Lecturer Kübra Akkalay, Head of the Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Program, speaking about Balneotherapy, also known as bath science; “Balneotherapy is a stimulus-adaptation treatment method applied in the form of bath, drinking, and inhalation cures using underground natural healing waters, muds, and climatic factors. It is performed at specified time intervals and with regular repetitions, in the form of bath, pack, drinking, and inhalation applications with determined methods and doses of thermal or mineral waters, peloids, and gases. Balneotherapy is currently used as a unique treatment method in thermal spas and cure centers.” she stated.
Inhaling in high concentrations is toxic…
Lecturer Kübra Akkalay, addressing thermomineral waters and their applications, said; “If I were to give examples of the waters we use as Thermomineral in Balneotherapy, these are: Carbon dioxide waters, sulfur waters, radon waters, saline waters, iodine waters, fluoride waters, and iron waters. When we look at sulfur, carbon dioxide, and radon waters among these, their application is carried out only in bathtubs. Inhaling these in high concentrations is toxic. Looking at applications with thermomineral waters, these can be in the form of bath cures, drinking cures of mineral waters, showers, and lavages.”
A treatment system applied in a cure format
Akkalay provided information about thermal spa treatment and its methods; “When we look at the definition of thermal spa treatment, it is a treatment system applied in a cure format, combining natural therapeutic elements such as mineral waters originating from soil, underground, and sea, gases, muds, and climatic factors, along with local climatic conditions and other necessary treatments. If I were to give examples of the methods used in this treatment, these are physical therapy and rehabilitation, medical treatment, psychotherapy and psychiatric methods, supportive applications, and climatotherapy.” she said.
Lecturer Kübra Akkalay, mentioning to whom this treatment method can and cannot be applied;
-In patients with kidney and urinary tract diseases,
-In patients with respiratory system diseases,
-In patients with digestive system diseases,
-In patients with rheumatic diseases,
-In patients with neurological diseases,
-In patients with skin diseases, it can be applied.
However;
-In patients with uncontrolled inflammatory activity,
-In patients with severe anemia and general deterioration,
-In patients with fever-vasculitis conditions,
-In patients with internal organ involvement,
-In patients with heart failure,
-She stated that it definitely cannot be used in patients over 70 years of age.
“A chain of technical steps needs to be established”
“Hygiene is important in such treatments. The immune system of individuals visiting thermal spas can be weaker than the general population. A chain of technical steps must be established to maintain the hygienic quality of pool waters at the desired level,” she added.
The event concluded after participants' questions were answered.