Lunedì 04 Gennaio 2010

LIGHT LEGS AND THERMAL TREATMENTS

Vascular pathologies, especially venous pathologies, are very frequent in our society and tend to affect women in particular.

For the treatment of many of these pathologies, thermal therapy is an essential aid. Available thermal means are vascular routes and baths with hydro massage, hydro bubbles and ozone, both done with thermal water, that is water having clinically proven pharmacological properties.

They have different biological effects depending on the type of water used. In our region's spas the most common waters are bromine and iodine-salt waters and sulphur waters.

Biological effects of bromine and iodine-salt waters:

•    anti-inflammatory action that appears a few days after the beginning of the cycle and persists during the following months.
•    Antiseptic action due to the presence of chlorine, bromine and iodine
•    Anti-edemigenous and resolvent action.
•    Sedative action at central level thanks to bromine
•    Stimulation of the production of a number of hormones, such as beta-endorphins

The reduction of phlogistic phenomena, the action that favours the elimination of toxins and  excess fluids and the regulation of hormonal mechanisms that can cause water retention are important factors in the treatment of vascular pathologies.

Biological effects of sulphur waters:

•    Keratoplastic and keratolytic action
•    Antiseptic and anti-phlogistic action
•    stimulation of the biosynthesis of cicatricial collagen
•    Stimulating vasodilatative action
•    Inhibiting action of tissue fibrotic processes (fundamental in the treatment of burn injuries to prevent the formation of adhesions, retractions, etc.)

VASCULAR ROUTES

In general they are two deambulation tubs at different temperatures (a difference of at least 10° C between the two of them), with side thermal water hydro massages with different pressures. Such difference in temperature provokes a muscular relaxation and vasodilatation when walking in the hotter one and vasoconstriction when walking in the second one.

BATHS IN TUBS

They are carried out in single tubs, with sulphur or bromine and iodine salts waters depending on the prevalent indication and at a temperature of 35 – 36° C.

In balneotherapy in the tub it is possible to use also hydro massage or massage with hydro bubbles.

THERAPEUTIC INDICATION

Important results can be achieved in the treatment of phlebitis, not in its acute phase, of postphlebitic pathologies, of venous insufficiency.

Great results are also obtained in the treatment of stasis edema, of venous system suffering in pregnant women, in "tired legs" of those who sits in the wrong way while working.

Also vascular dermatosis can benefit from thermal treatments with sulphur waters.

The therapeutic protocol for venous pathologies includes:

➢    vascular walkings, with a duration of 20 – 30 minutes, walking at a normal pace.
➢    A following period of reaction on couches, with a duration of 10 – 15 minutes with legs in unloading position.
➢    During the period of reaction the patient can carry out some simple exercises with lower limbs.

To enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment, according to the type of pathology, the doctor can advice to continue the treatment with:

➢    Lymphatic drainage massotherapy
➢    pressotherapy
➢    specific physical exercises in the motor rehabilitation gym
➢    guided routes in the thermal park with rehabilitative exercises.


Dr. Furia Franco
Vice-president of the Italian Medical Association of Hydroclimatology, Thalassotherapy and Physical therapy