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Hungary - the “drain” of the Carpathian Basin

In order to make it clear for everyone, how significant is the rating of a National Medicinal Bath awarded to the Aquarius Experience Bath, the Bark Bath and the Bath House in 2012, respectively, the rank of a regional medicinal bath awarded to Julia Bath, and to be able to appreciate the wonderful opportunity offered by our thermal and medicinal waters, it is worth to be aware of some facts and concepts. First of all, we have to mention the remarkable fact - originating from the geographic features of the Carpathian Basin - that thermal water can be found under 4/5 of the surface of our country. Thanks to this data we are ranked between the first tree countries of the world! To say it funnily, if we drill deep anywhere, we will meet thermal water almost certainly.

But what does thermal water mean?

According to the definition, under thermal water we mean natural waters with a spontaneous temperature higher than 25°C. On the other hand, the concept of a medicinal water can be used in the case of mineral waters that have proven medicinal effects. In medical terms, we can talk about a mineral water if the water contains at least 1,000 mg of dissolved minerals per liter, or if there is a high amount of a micro element in it. Besides the natural physical effects of the water, we use thermal effects, respectively, the mineral composition of medicinal water for medicinal purposes.
Immersion is the process during which the person undergoing a treatment sinks into water. In such case, characteristic changes occur both in the cardiovascular (circulatory) and musculoskeletal system. The pulmonary and central blood pressure rises, the renal blood flow changes and the muscle formations lengthen and relax. Taking advantage of the buoyancy of water, when sinking into the water up to one’s neck practically 90% of body weight is lost. It is particularly significant in the treatment of the spine and other painful degenerative joint diseases, as the bones and joints of often obese patients almost breathe a sign of relief. However, exercise carried out in a water with a higher fluid resistance - besides causing a relief to joints - it strengthens muscles significantly better. We utilize these features of water during the rehabilitation that follows operations or some kind of an injury (e.g. fractures or muscle damage). We carry out underwater exercise therapy in an indifferent water, i.e. in a water of 34-36°C, and in the case of a temperature lower than this we can talk about a hypothermic heat effect, and in the case of a water warmer than this we can talk about hyperthermic heat effects. For instance, water warmer than 36°C has express pain reliever and muscle relaxant effects.
From the aspects of my profession, I would like to highlight those subsequent medicinal bath treatments recently applied increasingly frequently after orthopaedic elective operations, such as hip- and knee implantations, at which the rehabilitation of patients can be carried out in an incredibly civilized and efficient way thanks to the properly established hotel services and staff.
If we talk about a bathing cure, we mean at least 15 treatments, with 20-40 minutes per treatment. The bathing reaction usually takes place on the 4-8th day of the cure. In this case one may expect temporary symptoms of certain complaints, however, some inflammatory laboratory parameters may change, as well.
To sum up, the medicinal bath treatment is a brilliant opportunity for the treatment of rheumatic and other musculoskeletal diseases, where besides the effect of clear water we can count upon the absorption of minerals and ions (iodine, bromine, sodium chloride, etc.) and a further complex physiotherapeutic effect.
Try the opportunities offered by our medicinal waters - I can warmly recommend them to you!

I wish you good health!
Dr. Miklós Noviczki, jr.