Feel good: from waterwalks to mud packs

This year is perhaps even more than usual a good time to visit a German spa. Two hundred years ago, the inventor of the popular cold water therapy was born, the naturopath Sebastian Kneipp from Bad Wörishofen in Bavaria. On the basis of the beneficial properties of water and herbs, he developed the Kneipp therapy, which is classified by UNESCO as a German cultural heritage. The cold water therapy named after him is used worldwide to this day. And that is why Germany is dominated by German.Spa.Tradition.

Water: more than a thirst quencher

Kneipp therapy – also known as hydrotherapy or water cures – actually came about by chance. Sebastian Kneipp contracted tuberculosis in his youth and discovered a book by the doctor Johann Siegmund Hahn about the healing effect of cold water. His doctor had advised him only with sugar water and beer against his tuberculosis, which didn’t do what it was supposed to do. So his interest was piqued and he tried it out in the Danube River. His training consisted of three elements: active physical warm-up, short cool-down in the Danube and then active warm-up again. He repeated the short baths in the following days and also tried other water applications – such as water courses and dips. His health improved little by little until he was completely healed.

How does water cure work?

Hydrotherapy with hot and cold water is still used as mentioned. Short infusions, from a second to a minute, cause temperature fluctuations on the skin, which gives the body a positive effect. The temporary narrowing of the blood vessels and the subsequent widening of the blood vessels promote blood flow throughout the body. This strengthens the immune system, stimulates the blood circulation, the nervous system, the metabolism and invigorates the body. Heat and cold have different effects. Using warm water is especially good when the body is cold and you want to relax your muscles. A cold stimulus refreshes, activates, strengthens, wakes up and allows the body to become active itself to warm the cooled area again. It activates blood circulation and lymphatic circulation. If the treatments are applied regularly, hydrotherapy can support the immune system for a long time and the self-healing capacity of the body is stimulated.

Operation of hot water:

• The blood vessels dilate, the skin gets better blood flow
• The heart beats faster
• Muscle tension is reduced
• The bronchi dilate
• The production of sweat is stimulated

Operation of cold water:

• Vessels of the skin contract
• The muscles are strengthened by blood
• Muscle tension is increased
• Your metabolism is accelerated

All the best from the sea

But the German spas do not only know the kneipp cures. There are also spas that offer thalassotherapy. These thalasso baths are legally allowed to be no further than 300 meters from the sea, so you will only find them on the German coasts of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The term thalassotherapy is derived from the Greek word for sea and therefore focuses on the healing effect of the sea with baths, seaweed packs, scrubs with sea salt, underwater massages and inhalation. Known as one of the most effective therapeutic treatments, it is recommended to strengthen muscles, address musculoskeletal problems, treat cellulite, improve skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and treat asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases through inhalation. light up. It helps lower blood pressure and has a detoxifying and relaxing effect. There are several treatments, such as

• Hydrotherapy, underwater massages, jet mists and seawater-based mineral baths
• Jetstream, high-pressure jets in a bath massage the body from head to toe
• Jet shower, from a distance a therapist sprays a high-pressure jet to massage the muscles
• Algae wrap, for a calming and restorative effect, algae are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Thalassotherapy uses

• Seawater – in bathing and inhalation
• Sea mud – in face and body masks
• Sand / sea salt – as a natural peeling
• Algae – in masks and packs
• Sea air – improves breathing and relieves respiratory diseases
• Seaweed – good for the joints

Mud and more

The healing power of water is therefore extremely versatile. In addition, vegetable additives such as hay flowers or spruce needles are often used. But water isn’t the only thing that justifies a visit to a spa. In addition to Kneipp therapy and thalassotherapy, German spas also have a rich tradition of mud baths and wraps. Natural peat is heated to more than forty degrees. Thanks to its heat-retaining properties, the high temperature is experienced as pleasant and has a pain-relieving effect. As early as the end of the 19th century, it was recognized that mud is not only effective for its heat, but is also rich in nutrients and minerals. The therapeutic properties are therefore very diverse. Mud wraps are not only relaxing, but also relieve skin conditions, rheumatism and osteoarthritis. Mud baths are anti-inflammatory and help blood circulation. And, a bonus, mud prevents skin aging. Incidentally, brine and sulfur are also used for problems with the musculoskeletal system. And you can even bathe in hay for detoxification and relaxation. But whether or not you go for the therapeutic effect: you will in any case come home completely relaxed and that is a luxury in itself in these busy times.