Hospitals and Medical Centers

The use of whirlpools in hospitals and medical centres

In the current age of health care in the 21st century, people have become more accepting of alternative and holistic treatments for some conditions.  Patients are especially open to these treatments if they are being provided by members of the medical establishment in private hospitals and dedicated public facilities.  Spa baths and whirlpools are used in some hospitals, generally for the treatment of physical conditions such as arthritis and back pain, and often in the recovery period following an accident or injury.  While many people may associate a spa with a relaxing recreational activity, for many of the people being treated in hospitals and other parts of the health system, they are so much more.  The word spa is associated with balneotherapy – the treatment of disease through bathing.

Balneotherapy, or water treatment, may involve either hot or cold water as a way to induce relaxation or stimulation, often through moving water massage. Many mineral waters at spas, hospitals, and medical centres are rich in particular minerals that can be absorbed through the skin.  Some of the minerals that are used in spa treatment include silica, sulfur, selenium, arsenic, lithium, potassium, manganese, bromine, and iodineand radium.  Along with arthritis, spa treatment can also be used to effectively treat a number of skin conditions and fibromyalgia.  Scientific studies on the effectiveness of spa treatments do differ, however, most research is either neutral or leading towards these treatments having positive effects.

While the majority of countries in the developed world have a public healthcare system in place that offers a wide range of health related services, many patients still choose to utilise the private healthcare system.  There are a number of reasons for this decision, however, many of them seem to relate to either the quality or diversity of the services on offer.  Specialised services such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation and cosmetic surgery are offered by some privately run institutions.  There are a number of private hospitals who are also involved in the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered from accidents, strokes, or other conditions that affect the physical ability of a person.  Outdoor whirlpool (Whirlpool aussen) products and dedicated spa baths can be used as part of this treatment process.

Spa baths and whirlpools are increasingly being used for traditional, complimentary, and alternative therapies and treatments – in either dedicated facilities or traditional health centres and hospitals. These facilities often incorporate aesthetic and cosmetic services alongside health prevention and wellness procedures, with all of these individual spa treatment services likely to form a part of the future health industry.