Balneotherapy Is Effective In Treating Fibromyalgia
A study shows that baths with sulfated medicinal waters alleviate symptoms, such as pain and lack of mobility, in people with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic muscle disease that is accompanied by significant pain and limitations in general mobility.
Conventional medicine does not have a curative treatment. Normally, patients leave the consultations with analgesic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and even anxiolytics and antidepressants.
The side effects of too much medication can make the patient’s situation worse in the long run.
Researchers at the University of Siena have studied whether baths with mineral-medicinal waters can help alleviate these disabling pains.
Sulfated water baths are beneficial in fibromyalgia
The study, published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology, was conducted with 100 fibromyalgia patients. They separated into two groups of 50 people. One half were treated with almost daily 15-minute baths in highly mineralized sulfated water for two weeks.
The other half received baths of the same duration, but with normal tap water. Neither group knew the type of water in which they bathed.
Decreases pain and improves mobility
The results after finishing those two weeks were surprising. The group of participants who bathed in mineralized water had experienced a decrease in their pain, as well as an improvement in their mobility. Best of all, the effects lasted up to six months.
In contrast, people who bathed in normal water did not show a significant improvement.
Magnesium has a positive effect on muscles
One possible explanation for the positive effects of mineralized water is that it is capable of reducing the production of pain and inflammation messenger substances.
In addition, fibromyalgia patients often suffer from a magnesium deficiency, a mineral essential for the good condition of the muscles. A water with a high concentration of magnesium can play a very positive role.
In addition to balneotherapy, natural medicine can offer more therapeutic approaches: changes in diet, medicinal plants, acupuncture, massage and gentle physical exercise (tai chi, yoga and chikung) and relaxation techniques are some of the possibilities.
