Joy of Health Vacations

About the Spa

In Europe, journeying to take the "kur" in mineral rich thermal waters is a long and unbroken tradition. In ancient Greece, temples developed around hot springs, serving as centers of healing and social life, while the massive Roman public baths served everyone from the military to the Senate.  European monarchs, the fashionable, and the wealthy traveled to elegant private spas for rest and rejuvenation, and to see and be seen. In Ottoman Budapest, 400 year old mosaic covered baths built by the Turks are still in use.

While the water's rejuvenating effects on the body, mind and psyche were taken for granted, the Habsburg Empress Maria Teresa wanted data. In the 1700s she ordered a study of the minerals in hot springs in Hungary, to record their health effects on the body.  Already renowned as the "City of Spas" for its abundance of thermal springs, Budapest hosted the first International Balneological Association conference in 1937, becoming a center of research for hydrotherapy research, wellness and rehabilitative treatments.

Today, certification of the medicinal quality of the waters  is closely regulated and carried out by the Health and Welfare Ministry.  

Non-drug pain relief through wellness and health practices

Today in Europe 'the cure' is called Medical Wellness. Its natural healing emphasis is mirrored in the US in naturopathy and integrative medicine. A Medical Wellness orientation supports health as an active and vital state of body and mind, not only as an absence of disease; combining the best of modern medicine, natural therapies and medical traditions to promote overall vitality and resilience.

The baths and spa therapies at the Grand spa, while invaluable as part of a vital health and wellness lifestyle, are also effective in treating signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, and offer non-drug pain relief for sciatica, back pain and other conditions. A two to three week spa stay usually allows people to reduce or even thrive without the need for pain medication for up to six to nine months.  Visit our library and check out an article or two on natural pain relief and hot spring spa therapy.

 

Who provides treatment?

Spa therapies are  researched and tested, managed by doctors, and delivered by staff trained in spa therapies.The doctor's role is to educate people to take control of their own health and well-being. Therapies combine modern medical tests with gentle yet effective non-drug rehabilitative care, with the aim to improve general health and well-being as well as reduce pain.

Spa physicians have a specialty in Rheumatology or Internal Medicine as well as additional training in fields such as Physiotherapy, Homeopathy, or  Botanical medicine. 

A typical day

After an initial exam and diagnosis, the spa doctor recommends bathing and treatments customized for each patient. People begin their day bathing, resting by the pool, and taking 2-3 physiotherapy treatments. The rest of the day is open, free for socializing or recreating or exploring.

Treatments may include massages, mud packs, physio and electro-therapies, passive or active exercise, reflexology and so on. An evaluation at the end of the program may include adjustment of medications, dietary counseling, nutrient supplementation, or other lifestyle recommendations.

Click here for a detailed list and description of the kinds of non-drug pain relief treatments you might expect.

What kinds of benefits - can you expect?

In addition to their immune and circulatory system strengthening effects, spa bathing and treatments provide non-medicinal pain relief for a wide range of conditions, including:

    * Rheumatoid Arthritis
    * Osteoarthritis
    * Fibromyalgia
    * Joint Pain
    * Frozen Shoulder
     * Sciatica
     * Back Pain 

For optimal - i.e. deeper, long lasting - results for relief of chronic pain, 3 week spa stays are the norm. Beneficial effects last for six to nine months and often longer if follow-up recommendations are followed. Even people who are pain-free often return annually to stay resilient, flexible and vital.

For Europeans, regular spa visits provide an ideal setting for welllness and health practices where family and friends come together to relax and enjoy life.

What To Expect From Us

Our goal is to take the "on the ground hassle" out of your travel so that your stay is relaxing and memorable.

We provide you:

• Ground transportation to and from airport

• Hotel welcome and spa orientation
  

• Confirmation of spa appointments

• Assistance gathering medical records for spa physicians

• A Welcome packet telling you what to expect, what to pack, list of restaurants, things to do, and travel tips for Hungary

• Arrange private tours

• Provide information on cultural events

• Cell phone to contact us in country if needed

Health Benefits

We all know that soaking in warm water and massage feels good for aches and pains. But the trio of heat, minerals and physiotherapy works to improve your general health for weeks and months after your stay by improving cellular nutrition, detoxifcation and other cellular microfunctions. Here are some of the rejuvenating effects  you can expect:

• Increased circulation
• Increased oxygenation  
• Accelerated detoxification
• Reduced inflammation
• Increased blood flow to the surface to promote healing  
• Increased endorphins to help pain relief
• Stimulated metabolism  
•  Improved digestion
•  Balancing of endocrine and nervous systems

Hungarian Thermal Mud

The thermal lake of Hévíz deserves special mention, as its mud forms a significant part of the healing effects of spa treatments.

The 10 acre lake is the second largest biologically active, natural thermal lake in the world, fed by  hot springs gushing up from a depth of 124 feet. The medicinal mud covers the bed of the lake in a thick layer with organic and inorganic substances, radium-salts and reduced sulphuric solutions. These combine to form the special healing benefits that make it useful in treating a broad range of rheumatic and musculo-skeletal conditions.