Therapeutic Bathing
Ancient Bathing Remedies for Modern Living
Denver, Colorado, USA
From ancient, natural mineral springs to modern flotation, water is the source for
easing stress, clearing the mind, and comforting the soul.  This page is designed to
familiarize you with just some of the many wonders of water.
Curative Waters

Famous Waters

Mineral Contents

Home Hydrotherapy

Only recently recognized
in the United States as a
necessity for health
maintenance, water
therapies are quickly
growing in popularity.
European health spas and
thermal springs have
provided refuge and relief
for millions of people for
centuries. Discover the
benefits of a regular
hydrotherapy program. It
will really make you feel  
and look great.
Seventy-five percent of the earth is covered in water. In fact the human body
contains well over 50% water. Water sustains life. Life therefore requires
water. We could perhaps say that water is life. We cannot ignore the
importance of this highly valued resource. Water allows for us to become
virtually weightless. It eliminates stress on the joints and provides a relaxing
environment in which we can enjoy a peaceful retreat from our worries. As
for therapeutic bathing, thermal waters are best. But we can't always get to a
mineral spring. The next best thing is to add a botanical cure or minerals to
our baths at home. Regular use of curative botanical bathing products will
provide benefits such as increased circulation, improved concentration, stress
relief, and temporary relief of muscle soreness and fatigue.

According to A van Tubergen and S van der Linden of the Department of Internal
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Maastricht, Maastricht, The
Netherlands:

Recently, a randomized controlled trial has shown that spa therapy is clearly effective in ankylosing
spondylitis. Two intervention groups followed a three week course of spa therapy at two different
spa resorts, and were compared with a control group who stayed at home and continued standard
treatment consisting of anti-inflammatory drugs and weekly group physical therapy. Significant
improvements in function, pain, global well-being, and morning stiffness were found for both
intervention groups until nine months after spa therapy.

In the past decades, a large change in the use of mineral water for the treatment of several diseases
has taken place in continental Europe. The medical significance of bathing is now acknowledged,
especially by many rheumatologists and dermatologists, and this aspect is considered more
important for a number of spa resorts than prestige and leisure. Bathing is usually combined with
many other treatments, such as physical exercises, hydrotherapy, and mud packs. The spa resorts
are differentiated according to their location (for example, seaside, mountain area) and the
chemical composition of their mineral water (for example, sulphurous, bicarbonated, or sulphated).
Each spring has its own characteristics and related therapeutic properties. However, a substantial
number of spa resorts also direct more attention towards leisure. Steam baths, saunas, whirlpools,
and solariums are standard equipment of many such spa resorts, with the main objective being to
relax and strengthen the body and mind, and to prevent development of disease. In Britain, a
revival of the spa culture may be expected, with the re-opening of the hot springs in Bath in 2002.
This spa will offer facilities for medical treatment, but, in addition cater for a growing number of
so-called health tourists, who combine their holidays with an investment in well-being.  
Curative Waters
Bath,  England (Aquae Sulis)

Ischia, Naples, Italy

Kaifas, Greece

Lesvos, Greece

Spa, Belgium

Varna, Bulgaria
Famous Thermal Waters
Mineral Contents
The typical soluble minerals found in groundwater include sodium and
magnesium salts, sulfur compounds, calcium carbonate, iron compounds,
and metals. The composition of the water is therefore dependent on the
geological materials through which the water passes.

Mineral Waters can be hot or cold and range from 40 to 212 degrees
Fahrenheit. Both hot and cold mineral waters provide therapeutic benefits.
The hottest waters contain the highest mineral content due to the dissolution
of more materials.

Mineral Water content can be broken into several generalized categories:
alkaline, saline, ferrous, sulfurous, acidulous, or soda. Exact mineral
compositions of thermal waters are provided by spa proprietors and vary
greatly. The compositions of thermal waters are then matched to particular
health conditions.
Home Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy soaks for home care include alkaline, saline, soda contents,
and fresh botanicals. The combination of these elements provide an elegant
and therapeutic bathing experience.

Ginger Root: This botanical provides detoxification, increased circulation,
and blood cleansing.

Licorice Root: This botanical provides stress relief, conditions the skin, and
also helps to alleviate muscle cramping and soreness as well as menstrual
cramping.

Lavender: This botanical provides relaxation, and relief from depression.

Rose Petals: This botanical provides skin conditioning and balancing.

Thalasso: This is the ocean therapy detoxification soak, and is discussed in
the next section.

All the above elements are mixed with alkaline, saline, and soda elements to
provide noticeable and positive results for bathers.

Botanical Mineral Baths also provide an excellent source of home
hydrotherapy.
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