Thermal treatments and ASL-local health authority-agreement

Mud therapy is particularly suited to people suffering from osteoarthritis: the mud applied limits inflammation and relieves joint pain. Research has shown that a cycle of mud-balneotherapy significantly lowers the levels of substances that accelerate and aggravate cartilage damage caused by inflammation and deterioration.

Mud therapy is also a remedy for osteoporosis: it is scientifically proven that it promotes the rebalancing of the metabolism of bone tissue and its remineralisation, by acting on both local and systemic mechanisms.

Mud therapy is also effective on rheumatism. As shown by research s into fibromyalgia, in order to reduce the sensitivity to pain, it is possible to associate mud therapy, which does not have detrimental effects on the GI tract, with drug therapy. It is thus possible to reduce the dosages of the drug while still obtaining the same results.

The mud is applied to the surface of the joints based on the indications of the chief medical officer, at a temperature of between 39-42° C, for about 15-20 minutes. The heat of the mud produces beneficial vasodilation on the various parts of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, changes are generated at the cellular level, favouring a detoxifying action.

After the mud therapy, there is the thermal bath: after taking a shower to remove the mud, the guest gets into a pool filled with thermal water at about 37° C, for about 10 minutes, with hydromassage and ozone therapy. Balneotherapy promotes circulation and relaxation of the muscles, it induces an analgesic action and, given the chemical composition of the water, it favours specific hormonal, biochemical and neurovegetative stimuli that complete the full recovery of well-being.

During the sweating reaction, the tissues release the heat accumulated with the mud and the thermal bath. The final phase is the sweating reaction, which takes place in the room, during which the tissues release toxins and the heat that has been accumulated.

They are used and recognised by the healthcare system due to their effectiveness in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract. Inhalation therapies have an antiseptic and stimulating action on the ciliary system, they fluidify secretion, normalise the characteristics of the respiratory mucus, are anti-inflammatory and reduce the pathogenic microbial component. Special instruments nebulise the particles of thermal water and transform them into an effective treatment for acute or chronic diseases involving the upper and lower respiratory tract.

In direct jet inhalation, the pressure of the hot steam on the mineral water causes the formation of water particles of about 100 μ in size. The jet is channelled against filters or plates that eliminate the largest particles and make it possible to obtain a relatively homogeneous mist up to a temperature of 37-38° C. The patient positions him/herself in front of the device, at a distance of about 20-25 cm from the dispensing spout, and inhales the steam using the nose and/or mouth.

Thermal aerosols consist of fine particles of mineral water capable of reaching even the most distal branches of the respiratory tree.

The inhaled aerosol has a temperature that corresponds to that of the water at the source and therefore does not undergo any thermalisation process. The patient uses a mask, a nose fork or a mouthpiece connected to the regulator through a rubber fitting. Each session lasts about 10-15 minutes, during which the patient inhales about one litre of mineral water.