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Fungi and Water
Published in Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy, Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy
Thalassotherapy is bathing in sea water of a specific sea for the treatment of chronic diseases such as rheumatism, arthrosis, asthma, dermatological, and so on, or for their prophylaxis in healthy individuals (193–195). The bathing is performed either directly in the open-air sea or in a bath or pool containing this sea water. The repeated immersion of the body in warm seawater, and/or the application of marine mud, or algae of the sea station are some practices often used in thalassotherapy for the therapy of some diseases. The marine climate (air and sun) of the sea place is also another factor for health and wellness promotion (195). The Dead Sea in the Middle East is the saltiest natural lake and seaside station, well-known throughout the world for thalassotherapy of skin diseases such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and some other skin diseases (eczema, acne) (193–195). The Dead Sea is rich in magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, bromide, iodine, and selenium. In addition, the air of these sea stations is also rich in iodine and bromine. Other areas such as the Mediterranean basin, the Black Sea (Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia), and some ocean coasts in France, Germany, Estonia, Brazil, Romania, Japan, and New Zealand have become more well-known stations in thalassotherapy (193).
The Second Half of the Nineteenth Century
Published in Arturo Castiglioni, A History of Medicine, 2019
We shall touch only briefly on thalassotherapy (sea therapy), the origin of which goes back to distant times. It was warmly advocated in the treatment of consumption by Roman physicians, who felt that it could bring about great improvement in this disease. In the present century, again, thalassotherapy, whether in the form of sea baths, sea voyages, or sojourns by the sea, has become popular and is given the credit for excellent therapeutic results. Thousands of bathers, many under medical supervision, annually throng the seaside resorts of the world.
Thalassotherapy and Marine Cosmeceuticals
Published in Leonel Pereira, Therapeutic and Nutritional Uses of Algae, 2018
Thalassotherapy, often assisted by compounds of algal origin, is thus indicated for noninvasive treatments of various affections:rheumatic problems, by reducing pain and interrupting the evolution of other disorders associated with this clinical stage. In the case of arthritis and arthrosis that are not very advanced, the action of seawater can interrupt its progress in the long term, especially if the therapy is accompanied by adequate food and better life habits;healthy bones and joints. Seaweeds are naturally high in minerals that are essential for healthy bones and joints. They are also high in vitamins and antioxidants—important components of cosmetic preparations (Luop 2001). Calcium can comprise up to 7% of dry weight (Pengzhan et al. 2003) and is also found in association with polysaccharides, such as alginate and carrageenans. The calcareous red seaweeds such as Lithothamnion spp. can contain as high 35% calcium. An Irish Product Aquamin™ is a multi-mineral preparation from Lithothamnion spp. It has been shown to be high in bioavailable calcium, more so than the standard calcium carbonate that is used in supplements, and is effective against mobilization of bone calcium through parathyroid hormonal activity (Aqumin 2017). Similar activity has been observed with a mix of oyster shell and the brown seaweed Sargassum fusiforme (as Cystophyllum fusiforme) (Fujita 2005);problems of blood circulation (especially in the lower limbs, more subject to premature wear thanks to our bipedal posture), in which sea water, as a toning and anti-inflammatory, stimulates circulation and locally eliminates the sensation of fatigue;skin diseases in which the disinfecting power of iodine dissolved in sea water and extracted from some algae destroys organisms that promote skin diseases, benefiting mainly patients suffering from acnes, boils, and other skin conditions caused or aggravated by Bacterial action;stress and fatigue, in which aquatic gymnastics in their own tanks, with relaxation and balanced feeding, help the release of stress, and through exercise, promote the release of toxins and facilitate skin absorption and consequent remineralization. In addition, it can also contribute to the weight loss process and actively collaborates in the reduction of cellulite, when accompanied by a balanced diet and physical activity; respiratory affections, as is known, the action of dissolved marine salts in the sterilized sea water, aspirated through the nasal passages, decongest the nasal mucosa, and relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
Evidence-based approaches for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a scoping review
Published in Physical Therapy Reviews, 2023
Nicola Adams, Joseph G McVeigh, Antonio Cuesta-Vargas, Sedik Abokdeer
There have been some promising results from studies of hydrotherapy, however it should be noted that hydrotherapy refers not only to pool-based exercise but also to balneotherapy and spa therapy, which are popular in many European countries. A meta-analysis of n = 10 RCTs of hydrotherapy for fibromyalgia [133] and systematic review [134], concluded that there was moderate evidence for reduction of pain and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at the end of therapy. Both authors focused on thermal pool therapy, spa-, balneo- and thalassotherapy, hydrotherapy and compresses. Many of these therapies are considered as complementary and alternative therapies. Studies were heterogeneous and many were of low to moderate quality with small sample sizes. Studies with pool-based exercises are often included in exercise modalities interventions. Evidence from the above systematic reviews and meta-analysis suggests that therapeutic active aquatic exercise is beneficial to patients suffering from FMS, compared to control groups (inactive), or passive balneotherapy without exercise. A study of the effects of 20 weeks land-based and pool-based exercise interventions for 73 women with FMS concluded that pool-based programmes yielded greater reductions in the overall impact of FMS, in particular with respect to fatigue and depressive symptoms [135].
Effects of water therapy on disease activity, functional capacity, spinal mobility and severity of pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2021
Zejun Liang, Chenying Fu, Qing Zhang, Feng Xiong, Lihong Peng, Li Chen, Chengqi He, Quan Wei
We searched in several electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid, web of science, Cochrane library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (Pedro), CNKI, VIP, Wan Fang, Open Grey with the following search strategy: (ankylosing spondylitis) AND (balneotherapy OR hydrotherapy OR thalassotherapy OR spa therapy OR thermotherapy OR aquatic OR hydrogalvanic OR cryo OR pool exercise OR water-based OR pool-based OR Stanger OR mud OR thermal water OR bath OR peloid OR natural therapeutic gas OR radon). The search filter was used for RCTs. Hand search was also performed for articles included in previous systematic reviews. Studies published prior to April 2019 were searched. Two searchers independently reviewed titles and available abstracts to retrieve potentially relevant studies. Next, a third searcher identified the studies that need full-text reviews.