What is Balneology?
Balneology is the scientific study of the therapeutic benefits of
naturally occurring mineral waters. In Australia, this science is not
very well known, and is even less seldom practiced. However,
throughout Europe and Japan, balneology and hot springs therapy is
very much a part of routine medical care. Medical prescriptions are
given by licensed doctors for the treatment of a wide range of
conditions, and utilizing mineral waters as a part of preventative
medicine is widely recognized and encouraged.
Hot spring soaking has a deep and far reaching tradition in North
America, starting with the indigenous North American Native Tribes who
considered choice hot springs to be "power spots" in nature. Native
cultures universally utilized the natural waters for healing,
purification ceremonies, sacred gatherings, and tribal meetings.
The rest of this article is designed to "clear away the pervasive fog"
associated healing waters, as much as possible based on scientific
research and prevalent scientific theory. Most of the information
included is derived from European and Japanese medical sources.
What Makes a Mineral Hot Spring a Mineral Hot Spring?
In Australia, there are no real standards to classify the properties
of hot springs. However, in Europe and Japan, there are general
standards that are widely accepted by balneologists.
The Hot Springs Source
There are two primary classifications of hot springs:
Filtration Hot Springs
A filtration hot spring is a geothermally heated mineral water that is
initially fed by rain water that seeps into the Earth through faults
and fractures. As it travels into the Earth, it becomes subject to
increased energy from natural geothermal heat, and is exposed to gases
and an often wide variety of minerals from rock and mineral deposits.
The water adsorbs the minerals via leaching, is heated by the
geothermal heat source, and then returns to the Earth's surface.
Primary Hot Springs
o A primary hot spring is a geothermally heated mineral water, where
direct volcanic activity plays a far greater role in the process of
the hot springs formation. One of the fundamental physical
distinctions between a filtration spring and a primary spring is the
mineral and gas content of the water, such as radon and bromide.
Primary hot springs are often "powered" by magma chambers which exist
miles under the Earth's surface, as well as in volcanically active
regions.
What is the Classification of Peninsula Hot Springs?
Peninsula Hot Springs are filtration hot springs. The water that
surfaces is estimated to have been deep within the Earth for more than
10,000 years.
The Hot Springs Temperature: Cool, Warm, or Hot?
Balneologists generally accept the following classification of mineral
springs:
• Cold Springs - temperatures below 25° C (77° F)
• Tepid Springs - temperatures ranging from 25°-34° C (77 - 93° F)
• Warm Springs - temperatures ranging from 34° - 42° C (93 F - 108° F)
• Hot Springs - temperatures above 42° C (108° F )
What is the Classification of Peninsula Hot Springs?
Peninsula Hot Springs are classified as Hot Springs. At a depth of 637
meters the water is 47° C. By the time it is pumped up to the surface
the temperature is approximately 43° C . The temperature of the pools
varies from 41° C to 36° C depending on the pool and the time of the
year. There is also a fresh cold water plunge pool with an ambient
temperature of 15° C.
The Hot Springs Mineral Content
The legal classification of a mineral spring varies in different parts
of the world. Generally speaking:
A mineral spring contains greater than 1000 mg/l ( PPM ) of naturally
dissolved solids.
What is the Classification of Peninsula Hot Springs?
Peninsula Hot Springs are classified as true mineral springs, and have
dissolved solids measuring over 2000 mg/l ( PPM ), based on the
assessment conducted by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear
Sciences in New Zealand.
The Hot Springs PH Level
Waters may be classified as acidic, basic, or neutral, according to
the balance of hydrogen in the water.
Acidic waters are waters that measure
below 7.0 on the PH scale.
Neutral waters are waters that measure
7.0 on the PH scale.
Basic/Alkaline waters are waters that
measure above 7.0 on the PH scale.
What is the Classification of Peninsula Hot Springs?
Peninsula Hot Springs are sulfur, sulfate neutral/acidic hot springs,
with a ph level of 6.8. The PH is primarily the result of the sodium,
chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium ions..
Hot Springs Therapy: Mineral Content
European balneologists have extensively studied the therapeutic value
of mineral waters. Mineral springs with different mineral content are
often recommended above others for various therapeutic uses.
In addition to the value of the trace minerals found in most hot
springs, and the stimulating benefits of highly mineralized waters,
balneotherapists generally agree on the following observations:
Bicarbonate
In Spain, a bicarbonate water is classified as such if the water
contains more than 250 PPM of free carbon gas. However, springs that
contain bicarbonate gasses ( sodium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate,
carbon dioxide, etc. ) may also be utilized for the observed benefits
commonly associated with bicarbonate hot springs.
Bathing in bicarbonate water, the balneologists believe, assists
opening peripheral blood vessels and helps to improve circulation to
the body's extremities.
European balneotherapists also utilize bicarbonate waters for bathing
to address hypertension and mild atherosclerosis. For these
conditions, tepid to warm baths are utilized (30 - 37° C).
Some researchers believe that bicarbonate baths also assist
cardiovascular disease and nervous system imbalances.
How do the Peninsula Hot Springs Rate?
Peninsula Hot Springs contain 1163 PPM bicarbonate content, although
the bicarbonate content does not produce a distinct "carbonated"
effect such as the Chatel-Guyon Hot Springs in France.
Sulfur and Sulfates
Hot Springs rich in Sulfur, in France, Spain, and Japan, are used to
address a wide variety of conditions, including skin infections,
respiratory problems, and skin inflammations.
Hot springs rich in sulfates ( i.e. sulfur compounds ) have a far
reduced "sulfur" effect as compared to Sulfur-rich springs. Such
waters are often prescribed internally for liver and gastrointestinal
conditions, as well as for some respiratory conditions with inhalation
therapy, in European spas.
How does Peninsula Hot Springs Rate?
Peninsula Hot springs contain a small amount of sulfurous gas.
Peninsula Hot Springs have been measured to contain 2.7 PPM of sulfate
compounds.
Chlorides
Saline hot springs are rich in sodium chloride. Mineral springs
naturally rich in chlorides, in amounts between .5 - 3%, are
considered by some researchers to be beneficial for rheumatic
conditions, arthritis, central nervous system conditions,
posttraumatic and postoperative disorders, as well as orthopedic and
gynecological disease.
How does Peninsula Hot Springs Rate?
Peninsula Hot springs contain 1432 PPM chloride content.
Other Mineral Research:
• Benefits Boron - Boron builds muscle mass, increases brain
activity and strengthens bones. Peninsula Hot Springs contains: 1.3
PPM boron.
• Benefits of Magnesium - Magnesium converts blood sugar to
energy and promotes healthy skin. Peninsula Hot Springs contains: 90
PPM magnesium.
• Benefits of Potassium - Potassium assists in the
normalization of heart rhythms, assists in reducing high blood
pressure, helps to eliminate body toxins and promotes healthy skin.
Peninsula Hot Springs contains: 64 PPM potassium.
• Benefits of Sodium - Sodium and natural salts assist with the
alleviation of arthritic symptoms, and may stimulate the body's
lymphatic system when used in baths. Peninsula Hot Springs contains:
868 PPM sodium.
Alkaline water that is high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium may
assist the body in cleansing through the skin.
What do the medical balneologists have to say about the
temperature of mineral water for therapy?
It is believed among some circles that warm spring soaking is more
beneficial ( 37-39° C) than thermal therapy. This is not necessarily
supported by independent research and medical scientific analysis.
European medical doctors have conducted research into thermal therapy,
and have found that:
• Hydrostatic pressure in the body is increased
o This results in increased blood circulation and cell
oxygenation
The elimination systems of
the body are thus stimulated, improving the
body's
capacity to detoxify
o The body's metabolism is stimulated
This results in improved digestion
o 3 to 4 weeks of regular thermal bathing can assist in the
normalization of endocrine glands and assist the automatic nervous
system
Many of the stimulating benefits of hot springs water are temperature
dependent. Balneologists have found that hot springs soaking
temporarily relieves chronic pain directly associated with
inflammation, even in cases where inflammation has not been reduced.
This effect is heavily reliant upon the temperature of the waters.
In Japan, at the famous Kusatsu hot spring, a 3-minute 47° F bath is
utilized for an extraordinary therapeutic experience. Each visitor is
pre-screened by the "bath master" to determine if such a bath would be
safe and beneficial for each individual.
Not everyone should utilize high-temperature hot springs for
therapeutic use. The state of one's metabolism and the presence of
medical conditions is the determining factor when considering the most
safe and healthy water temperature to bath in.
Contraindications to Hot Water Natural Mineral
Springs Therapy:
• Conditions involving high fevers
• Extreme Hypertension
• Malignant tumors and cancerous conditions ( internal )
• Liver, kidney, or circulation disorders
• Conditions presenting the risk of hemorrhaging
• Anemic Conditions
• Pregnancy
• Congestive heart failure, recent stroke, or recent heart attack
• Bathing under the influence of drugs or alcohol
The existence of these or other metabolic conditions does not
necessarily mean that there would be no benefit derived from utilizing
mineral waters. It does mean, however, that there is a risk associated
that may out way any benefit to utilizing hot waters. In such
situations, individuals should consult with a medical doctor before
bathing, or consult with a European medical balneologist.
In any case, soaking in mineral waters should not be done at
excessively high temperatures without medical clearance when any
contraindicated condition exists. A tepid to warm bath ( 35°C - 40°C)
is as safe as taking a bath at home.
Other Interesting Notes on Balneology & Balneotherapy
Severe Chronic Illness: The Three Stages of Spa
Therapy Response
Researchers and Balneotherapists in Poland have identified three
possible response stages to hot springs therapy, where chronic illness
spa programs lasting three to four weeks are utilized for a wide
variety of conditions.
1. Spa Adaptation
A period of 3 to 7 days of environmental adjustment. This is both a
psychological and physiological stage where the mind and body go
through a period of adjustment to the external environment, including
a physiological response to hot spring therapy.
2. Spa Crisis
A possible spa crisis has been observed approximately two weeks into
therapy. Symptoms include malaise, fever, tachycardia, headache,
fatigue, insomnia and pain. An acute flare-up of a dormant condition
may occur. In some cases, medication may be required to control
symptoms, and traditionally, spa treatment is reduced or temporarily
suspended during this period. This response is similar to a herxheimer
reaction, or the "externalization of symptoms" extremely common as a
part of natural healing in natural medicine.
3. Regeneration
Balneotherapists have noted that the final stage of spa therapy
results in an overall improvement in the indicated condition, and that
beneficial results may not be noticeable by the individual for many
weeks after the treatment program has been completed. Balneotherapists
have noted that benefits derived from spa therapy can be extended for
up to 10 to 12 months after treatment.
Mineral & Water Adsorption - Toxic Waste / Metabolic By-Product
Elimination
The movement of minerals into the body as the result of mineral water
therapy is dependent upon:
1. The fat/water solubility due to the structure of the skin membrane.
The movement of water into and out of the body during mineral water
therapy is dependent upon:
The osmolality of the bath and the fluid condition of the individual.
Depending upon the osmolality of the bath, water is either adsorbed
into the body or pulled from the body. Although we do not have a
tonicity report to classify the Tecopa Hot Springs as hypotonic,
isotonic or hypertonic, we believe that the Tecopa Hot Springs water
provide a slightly hyperosmal bath; water is pulled from the body.
Mineral adsorption via hot springs soaking is extremely small, and the
amount adsorbed into the body is concentration dependent and varies
depending on the mineral and its chemical form. Even so, medical
balneotherapists have noted that even minute amounts of therapeutic
minerals adsorbed into the body via the skin have a significant
therapeutic value.
The ion exchange capacity of hot springs mineral waters also
influences mineral and water adsorption, and is defined by the ionic
dissociation of the minerals in the water. A higher free ion content
equates to a greater ion exchange capacity.
In short, the osmotic qualities, the mineral concentration, the PH
level, and the mineral form effect the transdermal carrier effects of
any mineral waters, as well as the fluid conditions of the individual
soaking.
Peninsula Hot Springs would like to thank Eytons' Earth for providing
the core background information on this report into balneology.
http://www.eytonsearth.org
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