Today, Swiss water is a brand in its own right. Switzerland is a world leader in balneotherapy – from the Latin for “treatment by bathing” – and there could be no better destination for it. Thermal springs rise from deep beneath the Earth, hence “thermo”, meaning “heat”. Warmed and enriched with minerals from the rock, water at around 37 °C rises to the surface, where it is used for therapy: either by bathing in pools or simply by drinking it. Thermal waters are widely used in treating conditions of the respiratory system and the musculoskeletal system. Therapeutic baths relieve fatigue beautifully, have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and help with insomnia.
Switzerland’s thermal resorts are the ideal place for rest and treatment. For centuries, locals and guests alike have enjoyed bathing and restoring their health in Switzerland. One of the best-known hot springs, Bad Ragaz, has a long history: in 1242 a thermal spring was discovered in the Tamina Gorge in the Rhine Valley. Reaching it was once difficult – the resort’s first visitors were lowered into the gorge on ropes. In 1840, however, a four-kilometre pipeline was built to carry the water from the spring directly to the village. From then on, Bad Ragaz quickly grew in popularity among distinguished guests, including the Russian aristocracy.
The healing properties of thermal water are determined by its chemical composition. Above all, what matters most is the concentration of mineral salts and other substances, which is much higher than in ordinary water. These substances are absorbed through the pores of the skin, the lymphatic system and into the circulation, and have a beneficial effect on the immune system. As a result, the body starts its recovery processes more quickly. With balneotherapy, people usually feel a change after the very first treatments – typically a calmer nervous system, relaxation and relief from stress.
Over a medium-length course of treatment, improvements in the musculoskeletal system follow. The dissolved salts in thermal water increase its density, so the body weighs less when immersed. Moving in such water becomes much easier, which makes it ideal for rehabilitating injured joints. People who are overweight also find it easier to perform movements in water that they cannot manage on land. During exercise, the water gently massages the muscles, stimulates blood flow in the skin and lowers blood pressure.
Swiss thermal resorts are famous for their springs as well as for their effective wellness treatments and detox programmes. In addition to the thermal waters themselves, many spas in Switzerland offer their guests therapeutic mud wraps, a variety of massages, aromatic baths, peeling, lymphatic drainage, and rejuvenating treatments for the face and body.
It is important to remember that balneotherapy is perfectly safe for healthy people, whereas people with various medical conditions should undergo a thorough medical examination and consult a doctor first. Some dissolved substances can have a negative effect on recovery and may even aggravate an illness.
