Thermal treatments

• Inhalatory thermal treatments
• Thermal treatments via irrigation
• Thermal treatments for rhinogenic deafness
• Thermal bronchopneumological treatments
• Thermal treatments using baths and muds
• Thermal treatments in motory rehabilitation

Inhalatory thermal treatments

• Aerosol: fine particles (1-5 microns) of thermal water are introduced into the nose and/or mouth by means of a nose-piece and/or mouth-piece or a mask, to reach the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi. Each individual application lasts from 6 to 12 minutes.
• Sonic aerosol: this differs from the traditional aerosol because the particles of thermal water, introduced through the nose, are subjected to vibrations by a flow of sound waves and reach not only the nasal cavities, but the para-nasal cavities and the middle ear. Each individual application lasts from 6 to 12 minutes.
• Ionised aerosol: this aerosol uses a special apparatus that acts on the water particles charging them with negative ions so that they can reach the bronchi. A mask is used. Each individual application lasts from 6 to 12 minutes.
• Micronized nasal douche: by means of a nozzle that dispenses thermal water fractioned into large particles (120 microns), particles are sprayed inside the nostrils. This makes the mucus more fluid and washes out the nasal and paranasal cavities. Each application lasts 7 minutes.
• Humage: this uses the gaseous component (hydrogen sulphide, H₂S) that is released from the thermal water, reaching the areas of the upper (nose, pharynx) and lower (larynx, trachea, bronchi) airways. It can be carried out nasally, orally or with a mask. Each individual applications lasts from  4 to12 minutes.
• Hot-humid inhalation: by means of steam, the thermal water is split into large particles (100 micron) and is inhaled spreading mainly through the upper and middle airways (nose, pharynx, larynx). Each individual application lasts from 6 to 15 minutes.
• Nebulisation: this treatment is given in an environment saturated with watery particles, similar to mist, measuring from several microns to 50/60 microns. This procedure guarantees that the particles will penetrate deep into the respiratory system: nebulisation is particularly recommended for very small children. Each individual application lasts from 10 to 30 minutes.

Thermal treatments via irrigation

• Nasal: using a nasal  olive, thermal water enters one nostril and exits from the other, cleaning and stimulating the nasal mucous membrane. Each individual application lasts 10 minutes.
• Micronized nasal douche: by means of a nozzle that dispenses thermal water fractioned into large particles (120 microns), particles are sprayed inside the nostrils. This makes the mucus more fluid and washes out the nasal and paranasal cavities. Each application lasts 7 minutes.
•  Vaginal treatment: this is recommended in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Sterile vaginal cannules are used in thermal water irrigation. This therapy can also be used in conjunction with the thermal bath.

Thermal treatments for rhinogenic deafness

• Endotimpanic insufflation: this consists in using a very thin tube, the catheter, to carry the gaseous component of the thermal water towards the middle ear, through the Eustachian tube. This technique, carried out by medical specialists, is recommended in the prevention and treatment of catarrhal problems of the middle ear in children and adults. Each individual application varies from 1 to 2 minutes in each tube.
• Politzer crenotherapy: the name of this therapy comes from the “Politzer’s manoeuvre” (swallowing with the nostrils completely closed) and is carried out using a nasal olive that carries the hydrogen sulphide to the middle ear, through the Eustachian tube. Politzer crenotherapy is an alternative to endotubaric insufflation, in cases where the latter is difficult and not well tolerated.

Thermal bronchopneumological treatments

• Pulmonary ventilation: this is an assisted breathing technique to improve pulmonary ventilation. A ventilator is used that dispenses a pre-established volume of oxygen and certain drugs that vary from one case to another. Each session lasts from 10 to 15 minutes.
• Respiratory physiokinesitherapy: this is a very important therapy that consists in the following active and passive manoeuvres, to improve the patient’s ventilation putting as little strain on breathing as possible: postural drainage, cough education, kinesiological mobilisation of the chest-diaphragm area, respiratory education.

Treatments using baths and muds

• Bath: partial or complete immersion in a thermal pool, at 32-34° C, or in an individual thermal bath at 34-36° C, for 15-20 minutes. The bath ends with a reaction period lasting about 10 minutes. In a pool there is greater freedom of movement, the possibility of swimming and also carrying out motory rehabilitation.
• Hydromassage: this takes place in an individual bath or in a pool; in this case, the thermal water exercises a massage action on some regions of the body via underwater jets. Each treatment lasts for  20 minutes.
• Vascular program: a series of walks to be carried out in special baths characterised by alternating water temperatures (hot/cold) lasting 20 minutes. Particularly recommended for the treatment and prevention of vascular pathologies.
• Mud: the mud is obtained by mixing clay with thermal water and leaving it to mature for about a year in special tanks so that it can become enriched with mineral salts. The obtained mud is applied to the patient with a local pack or on all the joints, at a temperature of about 47° C for 20 minutes. This is followed by a cleansing shower and then a bath in thermal water at a temperature of 34-36°C for 10 minutes. This treatment ends with a reaction phase, during which the patient relaxes on a bed for 10 minutes.
• Underwater massage: this consists in a massage in a bath with a jet of thermal water, directed by an operator onto the parts of the body requiring treatment, for about 20 minutes. It is recommended for all rheumatic pathologies characterised by muscular contractures and stiffness of the joints, for circulatory pathologies of the lower limbs and for aesthetic problems (obesity, cellulite).
• Manual massage: this consists in manipulation practiced on the muscles for therapeutic, relaxation and toning purposes. It is very effective especially if carried out after mud treatment or a bath. In fact, the generated heat reduces muscular contracture and improves the circulation. The treatment lasts from 15 to 30 minutes.

Treatments using baths and muds

• Motory hydrokinesitherapy: this is recommended for diseases of the locomotory system (traumas, orthopaedic surgery, arthrosis, etc.). It is a therapy based on active and passive movement (gymnastics and massage) in order to reinstate and strengthen mobility and functions of the limbs or parts of the body. The advantage of gymnastics, carried out in thermal water (hydrokinesitherapy) is that recovery is faster and more functional. Daily sessions last about 20 minutes with the assistance of a physiotherapist.