Mudtherapy

Absolutely the oldest and the most used care by mankind.

At different temperatures, in ways more and more imbued with intelligence and technique, with organoleptic characteristics that differentiate the various geographical areas, mud therapy (also called crenotherapy or therapy with peloids) goes from anywhere, anytime the path of human civilization.

Hot mudtherapy is indicated in all chronic arthrorheumatic forms and is the first and most important activator of the organism draining, namely its ability to get rid of each form of toxic accumulations.

Mud and mud-baththerapy

Indications:

  • Primary and secondary osteoarthritis, localized or generalized
  • Ankylosing spondylitis and other seronegative spondyloarthritis (psorasic arthritis)
  • Arthritis (gout, codndrocalcinosys, etc.)
  • Extra-articular rheumatism generalized: Fibromyalgia
  • Localized: periarthritis of shoulder and hip, tendonitis, bursitis, enthesitis, Raynaud's syndrome
  • Canalicular syndromes (carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal)
  • Post-traumatic sequelae

Mudtherapy takes place in more stages: the actual resting of the mud on the body lasting 15 minutes, meaning applying mature mud on one or more articular districts depending on the disease; followed by a cleansing shower and, if indicated, hydromassage; bed rest for about 15 minutes at the end.

Mechanism of action:

Although various scientific studies have been carried out, nowadays the mechanism of action of the therapeutic activity is still little known.

Mature mud is a hot and humid compound with characteristics of homogeneity and plasticity able to evenly adhere to the skin, maintaining the temperature in the inner layers for a long time, gradually releasing heat and therapeutic substances from the spa water and microorganisms.

Mature mud is obtained by the interaction between clay and spa water in special tanks for about 5-6 months, so that the ions in the spa water dissolve in the clay component. Consequently, algae and microorganisms capable of achieving extremely important biological processes for therapeutic purposes develop.

Heat plays an important role: mud temperature is around 40-42 ° C with a consequent increase in body temperature (up to 37.5 ° C) and in intra-articular one (increasing by about 1.5 ° C).
Its effects are manifold: it increases the extensibility of collagen tissue, decreases joint stiffness and muscle spasm, increases blood flow, reduces the inflammatory infiltrate, edema, exudate-standing and has an analgesic effect.

After heating, fibrotic tissues, such as tendon and capsule-ligament structures and scars, give more to stretching counteracting the processes of ankylosis and fibrotic retraction with consequent reduction in joint stiffness. Increase the local vasodilatation with a consequent increase of nutritive substances, and at the same time removing toxic substances (catabolic).
Through the skin, at the level of the hair follicles and sweat glands, the ions of the thermal water are absorbed. Therefore there is an exchange of electrolytes between skin and mud: absorption of healing minerals from the thermal water and, through perspiration, elimination of toxic substances.

At the end of the cycle there is a loss of about 600-800cc of water and 3-5% of sodium. It is therefore common to find a reduction in blood pressure, which is why it is important to integrate water by drinking.
At the systemic level a response of endocrinologic type has been demonstrated: in particular through the work of the pituitary, an increase in beta-endofine occurs, increasing the threshold of pain, reducing muscle contractures and improving tissue trophism. Production of ACTH, the hormone responsible for the formation of cortisol (anti-inflammatory action molecule) increases as well, in addition to the final adjustment of the immune system.

For this reason also many mild to moderate auto-immune rheumatologic diseases (such as ankylosing spondylitis, quiescent rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritis) benefit from these treatments.
All in all, thermal treatments not only improve chronic inflammatory states, but prevents as well any flare-ups thanks to their long-term effect.

Contraindications

  • active inflammation
  • progressive disease
  • presence of irreversible damages
  • general conditions overdue