Website spa-therapy.info
 Spa treatments in general
 Spa treatment effective against Bekhterev's disease
 Thanks

 Website spa-therapy.info

Welcome to the spa-therapy.info website. Here you shall find information on the study of spa treatments for Bekhterev's disease carried out by the Department of Rheumatology of the Academic Hospital Maastricht (NL).

 Spa treatments in general

Since ancient times, people suffering from rheumatic diseases have taken recourse to spa treatments. Apart from bathing in thermal waters, spa treatments also include several other methods such as exercise therapy, massage, and mud baths. In many European countries (particularly in Eastern Europe), spa treatments are often used for rheumatic diseases alongside standard medical treatment involving medication and movement therapy. The patients themselves report that they feel in better shape, more mobile, and often have less pain and stiffness after a spa treatment. Yet these are rather subjective judgments. There is hardly any objective evidence on the effectiveness of spa treatments. Only a few small studies carried out with patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis, or chronic back pain are available. All these studies showed the positive effects of spa treatment. So far no such studies have been carried out in connection with Bekhterev's disease.  

 Spa treatment effective against Bekhterev's disease

Recently, a research team of the Department of Rheumatology of the Academic Hospital Maastricht provided evidence that spa treatments can have an influence on complaints such as pain, stiffness, and reduction in the scope of functions, as well as the general well-being of patients suffering from Bekhterev's disease, a chronic rheumatic illness. The team of researchers received the Boxberger Award Bad Kissingen, carrying a € 10,000 prize, for their research findings. Click here to see an overview of the target parameters, the results, and the conclusions of the study.  

 Thanks

We wish to thank all patients who participated in the examination, D. Martens and B. van Albada from the Reumapatientenbond, all local coordinators of the Bekhterev associations, J. Daanen from the Arcen Thermal Spa, M. Schafflinger from the Bad Hofgastein Spa and Vitality Centre, F. Hartlieb from the Gasteiner Heilstollen, J. Thomassen from the Institute for Rehabilitation Issues, and all persons who have contributed to the success of the study.