Caves that heal. Useful Information: Medical Tourism
Salt caves and medicinal properties known since ancient times. And the method, based on the use of the climate prevailing in them, was called "speleotherapy", patients stay for a long time in the conditions of the unique microclimate of grottoes, salt caves and spears.Speletherapy can be safely attributed to the natural and natural method treatment. It does not cause complications and meets the most important principle of medicine - "do no harm."
The air in salt caves is saturated with natural salt, and it affects the whole human body, combining several factors of influence at once, are not used medications, and all actions are aimed at stimulating the body's defenses to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Salt caves healing properties
In speleotherapy, there is a large variability of methods, depending on the disease and its course, the optimal combination of salt concentration and climatic factors, and the time spent in the cave is determined individually, but the effect of such therapy only intensifies. Although the success of the treatment depends not only on this, in addition to this, the patients, entering the salt cave, are faced with a change in temperature, pressure and humidity of the surrounding air, etc. Meeting with unusual factors, a person activates all the defense systems responsible for the restructuring of the body under stressful conditions. But a sharp drop climatic conditions does not occur in salt caves, because in this case, you can get the depletion of compensatory mechanisms. And the method of treatment is aimed at facilitating their work.
For example, asthmatic diseases, treatment is aimed at reducing the frequency and number of attacks, improving overall well-being. After the procedure of speleotherapy, the feeling of anxiety and tension decreases in patients. During sessions of staying in salt caves, the patient's body is rebuilt to a new and more favorable mode of operation, remembering it at the cellular level.
Chronic diseases proceed for a long time, and a kind of chain of protective reactions is created in the body, which is not always effective. The healing properties of salt caves are aimed at breaking such existing vicious bonds and stimulating the formation of new ones, thanks to which all organs and systems begin to function normally.
It is this property of speleotherapy that can explain the short deterioration in the state of health of some patients in the middle of treatment. This is due to the fact that compensatory mechanisms have to "break" the usual work of all organs and systems in a new, healthy way. However, this should be treated with caution, since the more cardinal changes must occur, the higher the risk of complications.
It is amazing how slight fluctuations in environmental parameters, sometimes they are not noticeable to a person, can cause such a powerful reaction from the protective and adaptive forces of the body.
In almost 100% of cases, the push received during spleotherapy sessions, which is aimed at breaking the stable, painful reactions of the body, allows you to turn the course of the disease in the opposite direction, and sets up the body for recovery. As a result of treatment in salt caves, the clinical manifestations of many diseases can disappear, even if the disease has a long and chronic course. There is one “but”, in the case of the resumption of the old way of life, the disease returns, especially if there is a genetic predisposition.
Scientists, studying the healing properties of salt caves, came to the conclusion that improving the general well-being of patients and high percent achieving stable remissions various diseases happens due to hormesis. Hormesis is the stimulation of the body as a whole or its individual systems, but with insufficient force to cause harm. Causing, thereby, a peculiar response of the compensatory capabilities of the human body to changes environment that takes place in salt mines.
Climatic conditions, of course, have a positive effect on the entire body, but one should not forget about the direct beneficial effects of salt aerosols, high humidity, and an increased concentration of aeroins. All these factors, by the way, are used to treat bronchial asthma, sputum evacuation improves and its viscosity decreases.
It is the combination of characteristics: the unique microclimate of salt caves and the special reaction of the body in combination that give a positive and stable therapeutic result.
Despite the fact that official medicine is rather skeptical about speleotherapy, it is successfully used to treat most diseases, in many sanatorium complexes with the help of caves or artificially created such conditions. But it still has only an auxiliary character to the main therapy.
Given the hormesis factor, are regulated indications and contraindications to treatment in salt mines.
Indications:
Bronchial asthma in remission, mild to moderate severity, not complicated by severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency.
Chronic respiratory diseases without purulent discharge from the lungs.
Atopic dermatitis, not in the acute stage.
Chronic bronchitis in remission, and the absence of cardiopulmonary insufficiency.
Allergic hay fever (runny nose) and other respiratory diseases.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Contraindications:
Any disease in the acute period.
Mental illness or disorder.
Cachexia (pronounced thinness).
Drug addiction and substance abuse.
Tendency to bleed.
Tuberculosis in active form.
Diseases of the hematopoietic organons.
Tumors.
Pregnancy.
Radiation sickness (it all depends on its degree).
Acute infectious diseases.
Treatment in salt mines should only be carried out under medical supervision.
Salt caves healing properties
halotherapy- this modern method speleotherapy. The method is based on staying in an aerosol environment saturated with dry salt aerosol with a strictly defined concentration.
The field of halotherapy services is relatively new, but already proven, it can be combined with biological restoration and preventive services in health tourism. Halotherapy services are medical services which contribute to the improvement of the psychophysical state of people. In this regard, the promotion of healthy lifestyle life.
Long-term experience of pulmonologists shows that salt cures many ailments, bringing mental and physical comfort to a person every day. Based on the experience of pulmonologists, many products have been developed and patented: slabs, panels, salt rooms, grottoes, caves, cooling towers , - they are all made from natural rock salt crystals containing trace elements necessary for human life, such as:
- iron- counteracts anemia, eliminates general weakness and improves immunity
- calcium- acts prophylactically against diseases of the musculoskeletal system
- magnesium- prophylactically acts against metabolic disorders, excess cholesterol and oxalates (stones of the bile and renal ducts), reduces nervous excitability
- copper- eliminates metabolic disorders and promotes better absorption of iron
- manganese- softens the toxicity of harmful compounds that we encounter daily
- zinc- acts prophylactically against prostate diseases and growth disorders
- selenium- "cleanses" the body from free radicals and protects against the development of malignant tumors, neutralizing the harmful effects of mercury, lead, cadmium contained in polluted air, and also slows down the aging process of the body.
- lithium- counteracts the development of sclerosis, heart disease, and, to some extent, diabetes
- iodine- Protects against thyroid diseases.
Crystal rock salt is a natural ionizer that effectively improves air quality by releasing negative ions, which are found in large quantities over the sea, over waterfalls and after a storm. Negatively ionized air improves health and helps in the treatment of various diseases: bronchial asthma, lung and bronchus diseases, circulatory failure, post-infarction condition, hypertension, gastric ulcer and duodenum, gastritis, and psoriasis, skin inflammation, allergies, hypersensitivity, various types of neurosis, depression, stress, fatigue.
Contributing to the treatment positive traits The microclimate created by natural rock salt products is based on the formation of natural aerosols: the dispersed phase is modified air, while the diffusion phase is liquid or solid particles. An important fact is that the components volatilized into the air are negatively charged.
IN salt rooms From the point of view of physical, chemical and biological, as well as therapeutic conditions, thanks to the use of a system of air conditioning equipment and ventilation, the temperature, humidity and specific, unique microclimate of underground mines at depths of up to 650 m are reproduced.
The air that fills the salt rooms and salt saunas , is rich in valuable microelements and practically does not contain pollution, typical for the modern urban environment. Due to the high concentration of sodium chloride, which acts anti-allergic and antifungal. The purity of the air in the Crystal Salt Room is ten times higher than outside. These properties of the microclimate, i.e. biological and chemical purity, saturation with microelements and negative ionization also have a positive effect on the body of healthy people.
Staying in such an atmosphere significantly reduces stress, deepens and slows down breathing, strengthens the immune system of the body, increases the ability to concentrate, brings a feeling of freshness and satisfaction, while slowing down skin aging, smoothing wrinkles and accelerating calorie burning, effectively fighting overweight.
Salt room visits should take place every two days, and for healthy people without any worries, once a week as a preventive measure to boost the immune system.
Speleotherapy (Greek speleon - cave; therapia - treatment), that is, treatment by prolonged stay in the unique and peculiar microclimate of grottoes, caves, salt mines, appeared about two and a half years ago. And from the second half of XIX century speleology has found wide distribution in Italy, and then in other countries.
After World War II, speleotherapy began to spread throughout Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and the Soviet Union. Nowadays, it is actively used to treat respiratory diseases, bronchial asthma, hypertension, joint diseases and many other ailments. The natural microclimate of these caves, somewhat reminiscent of the fairy-tale palaces of the Snow Queen, strengthens the body's defenses and activates blood circulation. The microclimate here is really amazing! Atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity are stable, the radiation background is reduced to a minimum, and the air is saturated with negatively contaminated ions, which are extremely beneficial for our health. In addition, there are fewer microorganisms even than in sterile operating rooms!
The popularity of speleotherapy is explained, first of all, by the fact that it is based on the use of only natural natural factors. Its huge plus is that it does not cause at all side effects and therefore can be shown to both children and adults. Psychological aspect here it is also important - temporary isolation from the external environment promotes relaxation and relieves nervous tension.
However, this method has several contraindications. Speleotherapy should not be prescribed in the second half of pregnancy, with malignant tumors, epilepsy, serious mental disorders, as well as in case of individual intolerance.
Speleotherapy sessions are perhaps the most effective method treatment of allergic diseases, neurodermatitis and eczema, chronic bronchitis, mild and moderate bronchial asthma and pre-asthmic conditions. And at the same time - this is the simplest method.
Typically, patients are prescribed from 10 to 24 sessions, depending on the indications. After the first few procedures, the beneficial effect of the purest air on the whole body, in particular, on our immune system, is already felt. As a result, the work of the cardiovascular system and metabolic processes are normalized, and overall well-being improves. During the procedure, you need to relax as much as possible, breathing should be deep, even and calm. Clothing for the procedure should be worn comfortable and not restricting movement. Being in an underground salt mine, you can not smoke and use cosmetics that have a sharp and rich aroma.
In Ukraine, the only place where a natural underground salt cave is used for healing is the Solotvyno salt mines located in Transcarpathia. And here, since 1976, the world's largest allergological clinic has been operating.
In addition to natural salt caves, in our time special speleochambers are used, or, as they are also called, halochambers. These are rooms in which the walls, floor and ceiling are lined with salt blocks carved in caves. Thus, the microclimate created in the room, in all respects, almost does not differ from the healing natural one. Halotherapy is quite affordable - at present, such cameras are present in many health centers, clinics and sanatoriums. So, if you don't have the opportunity to go to places where natural salt caves are located, you have a worthy alternative.
In addition to speleochambers, salt (or sylvinite) lamps, which perfectly combine the healing properties of light and natural minerals, can have a positive effect on the body. Salt lamps can have a variety of shades - they owe this mainly to algae and minerals that are pressed with salt ... As scientific studies prove, each color has a certain effect on well-being. For example, red enhances vitality, orange is able to eliminate shock, yellow has a positive effect on mental activity, and pink affects the emotional sphere of a person.
Medical mine in Romania July 20th, 2014
Here is what blogger evrikab writes
They say that if you go down into the mine for ten days in a row for four hours and breathe air saturated with sodium ions there, then bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases recede. And if such a procedure is carried out once a year for 3 years, then these diseases go away for good. These are the unique curative properties of this largest salt mine in Europe, Slanic Prahova.
Let's take a look at them in more detail
Photo 2. 
The mine has a depth of 208 meters and consists of 14 trapezoidal halls 54 meters high. One of the halls.
Photo 3. 
Instead of turning this mine into a first-class hospital and treating half of Europe in it, they are content with old and primitive equipment, which is left over from the time when salt was mined in the mine (1936-1970). The descent into the mine is carried out on an antediluvian elevator, in which eight to ten people can hardly fit. Shaking and creaking (which is pretty scary), he lowers visitors into the bowels of the earth.
Photo 4. 
The mine has a constant temperature of 12 degrees and there is an incomparable specific smell, apparently due to the presence of those same sodium ions. In one of the halls there is an interesting museum of salt sculptures (the author is the sculptor Justin Nastaz). Bust of the leader of the Dacians Decebalus - the leader of the resistance to the Roman legions of Trajan.
Photo 10. 
The polished walls of the shaft look like marble.
Photo 5. 
Here you can grab a bite to eat with your own food. We did not see any "official" cafe or buffet in the mine. There are a lot of children among the patients - they put these swings for them.
Photo 6. 
There are no "official" souvenir shops at the mine either,
The situation is saved by enterprising merchants.
Due to the colossal size of the premises and due to the scarcity of lighting, filming in the mine
very hard.
Photo 7. 
What is Salt Cave Treatment? Salt adit is a horizontal or inclined underground mine working with access to the surface for maintenance of underground mining operations. Such an adit for the extraction of rock salt, located in Poland, already in the 19th century. was used for medicinal purposes.
The Polish doctor Felix Bochkovsky, observing the patients, noticed that the stay in the salt galleries of patients with lung diseases brought them more benefit than saline inhalation. Thus, a new treatment method appeared - treatment in salt caves.
Speleotherapy- method of treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, by long stay in the microclimate conditions of natural karst caves, salt mines, passed mine workings of salt, metal and potash mines.
Speleon- translated from Greek means cave.
The essence of the method lies in the impact on the human body of natural healing factors characteristic of the microclimate of the caves and determined by the geophysical location and chemical composition of the rock of this massif. All underground speleological clinics, located in different climatic and geographical zones and having different microclimate parameters (temperature - from 12 to 24 degrees Celsius, relative humidity from 10 to 100%, aerosol concentration from 0.1 to 20 mg / m-3, its respirable fraction from 50% to 95%, air ionization from 500 to 20,000 ions per cm-3, etc.) have the same treatment efficiency.
Caves can be completely different: grottoes, mines, natural formations in the rock mass and in the layers of edible rock salt, but regardless of rock, there is an increase in the immunohormonal status of the human body. From this it follows: speleotherapy involves the cure of diseases through strengthening the protective properties of the body, i.e. not the disease itself is treated, but the cause of its occurrence
Photo 8. 
How is the treatment in salt caves?
Before going to the caves and after visiting them, doctors conduct a thorough examination of patients. First of all, the pulse and blood pressure, respiratory rate, lung capacity are measured, then the results obtained are compared with the previous ones. In caves (adits), patients, covered with warm blankets, lie or sit quietly. The time spent in a particular cave is different and depends on the depth of the cave, pressure, temperature and salt concentration in the air.
Indications for treatment in salt caves
Treatment in salt caves is useful for patients with respiratory diseases and asthma. It is believed that during one treatment course in salt caves, all bacteria in the nasopharyngeal cavity are destroyed and the condition of patients improves. bronchial asthma. Salt caves treat bronchial asthma, chronic catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, emphysema, and chronic inflammation of the lungs. It is possible to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system and blood vessels, metabolic disorders and diseases of the digestive tract. It is also possible to treat rheumatic diseases, diseases of the joints and spine.
Photo 9. 
Why is being in salt caves beneficial?
There are practically no allergens in the cave. When pathogens enter the cave, flower pollen or other substances that cause allergies, they settle on its walls. In addition, the concentration in the air of the cave is slightly increased. carbon dioxide which makes it easier for asthma patients to breathe. With an increased concentration of carbon dioxide, the respiratory center of the medulla oblongata and chemoreceptors in the walls of blood vessels are activated, gas exchange in the lungs and oxygen saturation of arterial blood improves. Thanks to the specific air pressure, temperature and relative humidity, the condition of patients with respiratory diseases improves.
Treatment in the microclimate of salt caves is contraindicated for patients suffering from various phobias, especially claustrophobia. Treatment is also contraindicated in patients with certain forms of heart failure, angina pectoris, acute infectious diseases and epilepsy.
Where to get treatment in salt caves?
When choosing a resort for patients with bronchial asthma, it is necessary to take into account not only climate zone, in which the resort is located, but also the season, given the contrast of weather conditions and the time of flowering.
The effectiveness of treatment is affected by the season, as well as the form of bronchial asthma. The greatest effect is given by the resort treatment of the atopic form in the fall - 96.7%, and the least in the summer - 86.8%, with the infectious-allergic form, the most effective treatment is in the summer - 88.3%, and the least effective in the spring - 79.1%. With a mixed form, the greatest effect occurs in autumn - 92.6%, and the smallest in spring - 76%.
It is not advisable to send patients with bronchial asthma living in sharply continental zones to southern resorts in the fall, since their return to their place of permanent residence is fraught with exacerbation due to contrasting climatic conditions and a reduced ability to readapt. Also, short courses of spa treatment, which are so popular today, are inappropriate.
Photo 11. 
Photo 12. 
Speleotherapy (gr. speleon- cave) - a method of treatment by a long stay in a kind of microclimate of natural karst caves, grottoes, salt mines, artificially traversed mine workings of metal, salt and potash mines.
There are no more than 30 underground sanatoriums in the world.
In Russia, the only speleological clinic in the potash mine in Berezniki was closed in 2006 due to an emergency situation at the mine.
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| Vorontsov caves |
From the history of speleotherapy or cave treatment
The history of speleotherapy has about 2500 years. In the IV century. BC. in the region of Pergamon (Asia Minor), an underground temple of the god-healer Asclepius was built. Its surviving part consists of two 50-meter tunnels and a large hall with columns. Pliny the Elder (79-23 BC) in the Natural History, which until the end of the 17th century. was used as a source of knowledge about nature, wrote that "salt from the caves relieves nervous suffering, crowbar in the shoulders and lower back, stabbing in the side, pain in the stomach."
Thermal caves, which are characterized by rather high air temperature, its high humidity and radioactivity used for medicinal purposes began earlier than others. In Italy, in 1849, quarry workers located near Monsummano found an unusual grotto. Located at a depth of 300 m, the grotto was striking in its beauty: it was filled with bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, steam mysteriously swirled over a small picturesque lake. Some of the cave explorers noticed that their joint pains and coughs were gone. The owners of the quarries, the family of the poet Giuseppe Giusti, set up “treatment rooms” in the cave.
In the silver mines near the Austrian city of Oberzeiring, treatment under the supervision of doctors began to be carried out in the 19th century. At present, a speleological clinic for the rehabilitation center for pulmonological patients has been built in the adits. In Austria, the world's first society for the study of caves, distinguished by a scientific orientation, was formed.
The first radon speleological clinic was discovered in the resort of Bad Kreuznach, where in 1904 Karl Aschoff discovered the radioactivity of the sources, and in 1912 the radioactivity of the air adits. Soon the first emanatorium was built in the resort, which was destroyed during the Second World War. In subsequent years, the research results of Dr. K. Aschoff were confirmed by the research of Professor Shemintsky (University of Innsbruck) and Professor Muth (University of Saar), and patients were again admitted to the radon adit.
Austrian resort Bad Gastein (Bad Gastein Bad Gastein) known radon galleries over 2 km long. Three healing factors in the tunnels of the Redhouse Mountain - the content of radon in the air (4.1 nCi / l), air temperature from 38 to 41.5 ° C, relative humidity close to 100% - were discovered “accidentally”, after the healing of the miners from rheumatism. Among the indications for treatment in radon galleries, the main place is occupied by degenerative and rheumatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, neuralgia, long-term non-healing wounds, and skin diseases. The effectiveness of treatment in radon galleries for allergic respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma, has also been proven.
Therapeutic effect of the microclimate of karst caves also discovered by chance. During World War II in a karst cave Klutert near the city of Ennepetal b, North Rhine-Westphalia, a bomb shelter was set up. People stayed in the cave for a long time, and what a surprise it was when patients with bronchitis and asthma found that with each air raid, cough and shortness of breath bothered them less and less. German researchers summarized the benefits of a long stay of a large number of people in a karst cave. In the post-war years, Doctor of Medicine K. Spannagel conducted clinical and experimental studies that confirmed the therapeutic effect of the microclimate of the caves. The results of these studies and joint work Dr. K.H. Spannagel and the Hungarian geologist, the famous speleologist Dr. H. Kessler, laid the foundation for modern speleotherapy.
The first speleological clinic in a karst cave was equipped in November 1954. The speleological clinic in the Klutert cave entered German Union resorts such as the climatic health resort "Ennepetal mit Klimahöhle". The method was called speleoclimatotherapy. In Germany, the German Union of Speleotherapy (Deutschen Speläotherapieverband) was created, uniting 12 speleological clinics created in salt mines and karst caves; the method is called Höhlentherapie (cave therapy) or Heilstollentherapie (healing galleries). Doctors of the German Union of Speleotherapy recommend daily procedures in the speleotherapy clinic for 2 hours, a course lasting at least three weeks.
The mechanism of therapeutic effects of speleotherapy in karst caves
The effectiveness of speleotherapy in underground clinics was first associated with the peculiarity of the microclimate under the arches of karst caves in 1980, 20 years after the widespread introduction of speleotherapy into clinical practice.
- Low (6-12 ° C), but constant air temperature contributes to the narrowing of dilated blood vessels;
- The high content of carbon dioxide (СО₂ 0.3–3.0% versus 0.03% on the surface) increases the volume of breathing by 1.0–1.5 l/min. and promotes deeper ventilation of the lungs;
- High air ionization and the presence of aerosols of different compositions help to reduce swelling of the mucous membranes; proven bactericidal and fungiostatic effect of negative ions;
- High humidity (95-100%) contributes to the deep penetration of charged particles and aerosols into the respiratory tract;
- High air purity (less than 150 microbes per 1 m³), the absence of allergens in it leads to a decrease in the blood levels of immunoglobulins A, G and E, antibodies, circulating immune complexes;
- The silence of the caves and the feeling of isolation from the "aggressive" external environment psychological impact allow better perception of other therapeutic factors.
When inhaling the air of karst caves with a moderately low temperature, low relative humidity and high carbon dioxide content, the mechanisms of thermoregulation are activated, accompanied by an acceleration of metabolic processes, an increase in oxygen consumption by tissues, and an improvement in the function of external respiration and blood circulation.
The mechanism of therapeutic effects of speleotherapy in salt caves
The assumption that The main therapeutic effect in speleotherapy is provided by air saturated with salt dust of sodium chloride., was first expressed by the Polish doctor Felix Bochkovsky in 1843. At the same time, the first sanatorium in Wieliczka was opened. In 1958, its activities were resumed on the initiative of Professor Mieczysław Skolimowski. He was the first in the 1960s. laid the foundation for scientific research in a new field of medicine - subterraneotherapy. Later, treatment by the microclimate of the caves was called speleotherapy.
The effectiveness of speleotherapy in the conditions of salt speleotherapy centers is primarily due to the climatic features of the caves: temperature, humidity, gas composition and increased air ionization, the absence of allergens.
The microclimate of speleological clinics in salt caves is distinguished by the fact of stability: the complete absence of pollen allergens, practically sterile air (3-5 microbes per 1 m³), high air ionization (up to 4000-5000 light negative ions and 2200-3000 positive air ions). The air temperature is 8-10 °C all year round. The gamma background does not exceed the level on the earth's surface.
In addition, in the air of the salt mines there are charged particles of salt aerosols up to 5 microns in size, which are able to penetrate far into the respiratory tract, which has several biological effects. Inhalation of air ions leads to increased movement of the villi of the ciliated epithelium of the trachea and bronchi, providing sanitation of the respiratory tract. The chemical components of salt change the electrolyte balance of smooth muscle fibers, which leads to their relaxation and increases the number of fully ventilated alveoli: lung ventilation, oxygen diffusion rate, and its utilization by various body tissues improve.
Speleotherapy in the conditions of karst and salt caves has a pronounced elimination effect in allergic asthma and respiratory allergies. Speleotherapy in the course of treatment improves the drainage function of the bronchi, helps to reduce the inflammatory response of the mucosa of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and increases the overall nonspecific and immunological reactivity of the body. Bronchial asthma and respiratory allergies occupy the first place in the list of indications for speleotherapy.
Treatment in the conditions of speleological clinics in salt and karst caves makes it possible to achieve remission from 6 months to 3 years in 70-80% of patients.
Speleotherapy in karst caves
Currently, speleological clinics in the conditions of karst caves have been built in Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, Italy, the USA, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Uzbekistan.
Speleotherapy in Hungary held in 6 karst caves. There are more than 700 caves in Hungary. In the toponym of the capital of Hungary "Budapest", "caves" are present twice: "Pest" has Slavic roots and comes from the word "peshtera". The Germans still call the second part of the proud - "I will be" "Ofen", which translates both as "furnace" and as "cave". Semlohedi Cave in Budapest has been used for speleotherapy since 1990. In the giant corridor there is a clinic, which is a department of the St. Janos Clinic. Underground spleleological clinic is located in the largest in Europe stalactite cave in Aggtelek included in the list of World Cultural Heritage. The length of its section in Hungary is 17 km. Through an artificial underground corridor in Joshvafyo you can get to beke cave, in which asthma patients undergo a course of speleotherapy, as well as in the 30 m high stalactite hall of the Giants. Located on the territory of the Byuk National Park St. Stephen's Cave previously used exclusively for tourism purposes. Since 1991, speleotherapy has been carried out in the Black Hall of the cave. Speleological clinic is arranged in Abaliguete cave in the northeastern part of the foothills of Mechek, in the vicinity of the city of Pecs.
Speleological clinic in the resort of Tapolca in Hungary, you can go down from the lobby of the four-star Pelion Hotel, built in 2003 over a karst cave. Thanks to its special microclimate characterized by a constant temperature (14-16 °C), high humidity, lack of dust and allergens, patients with respiratory diseases have been successfully treated here for several decades. On the recommendation of the WHO World Organization Health), with the participation of the scientific committee of The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a special program for the treatment of asthma has been developed, which has been put into practice in medical center hotel "Pelion" by the Professional Board of Pulmonologists and Pediatricians of Hungary. The hotel has two departments of pediatric pulmonology, a diagnostic department, and an inhalation room.
In Slovakia first speleological clinic in Gombasek karst cave in the eastern part of the Ore Mountains was opened in 1972, and ten years later was built children's underground sanatorium Bystrya in the Low Tatras at an altitude of 2024 m above sea level. To ensure a more complete inhalation of the healing air of the underground clinic for children, they alternate active games, yoga classes and periods of relaxation with reading fairy tales.
IN Czech speleological clinics for children with respiratory diseases are arranged in the caves of the Moravian Karst: in South Moravia (Ostrov u Macochy and Mladec-Vojtechov) and in the northern part of Moravia (Zlate Hory - "Edel"). The place of Zlaty Gory, located not far from the famous resort of Jesenik at an altitude of 620 m above sea level, from the middle of the XIX century. considered one of the best climatic resorts for the treatment of patients with respiratory diseases, and in 1993 a rehabilitation center "Edel" for children with respiratory problems. Two years later, 7 km from the sanatorium, a speleological clinic was built in a karst cave with a network of underground corridors of 1600 m, with maximum depth about 93 m and year-round temperature 7-8°C. The underground galleries are equipped with playgrounds for playing volleyball, basketball, table tennis, game rooms, "bedrooms".
The duration of speleotherapy in Czech healing caves is about three hours. Treatment programs consist of 9 blocks of 20 minutes in which active games and breathing exercises alternate with periods of relaxation. Children aged 3 to 15 years old are accepted for speleotherapy in the direction of allergists, with payment by insurance companies of the Czech Republic. The duration of treatment is determined by the director of the sanatorium, as a rule, for children school age 5 weeks, for preschoolers 6-7 weeks.
Speleotherapy in salt caves
In addition to natural caves, artificial caves, often salt ones, are also used for speleotherapy. These are either abandoned workings of salt mines, or niches specially carved in the thickness of the salt layer, where speleological clinics are equipped.
Speleological clinics operate in the salt mines of Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Romania, Ukraine. In Russia, the first underground sanatorium is being built in the salt mines of Sol-Iletsk.
About Polish Wieliczki, near Krakow, in 1958, a sanatorium for 70 people was opened in an old salt mine at a depth of 200 m, and years later a speleological clinic was opened in Praida salt caves (Romania).
Salt cave "Velichka" better known for tourist routes, underground restaurants, a museum, but there is also a speleological clinic at a depth of 135 m.
Speleological clinic Bochnia was built in the oldest salt mine in Poland, Bochnia, 40 km east of Krakow. After almost eight centuries of operation, the mine resembles a vast underground city, where some of the unique workings are used for medicinal purposes. In the salt cave "Lake Wessel", equipped with exercise equipment for exercise, 7-hour treatment procedures are organized daily as part of 14-day rehabilitation programs.
Romania leading in the number of salt caves. In Transylvania, salt mining was carried out 5,000 years before our era, salt mines were actively developed during the Roman Empire. Later, when the surface salt deposits dried up, salt was mined using the mine method. In many salt caves formed as a result of salt mining, caving clinics and even entertainment centers have been built.
Salt mines of Salina Turda(Salina Turda) in Transylvania is one of the most unusual tourist centers in Romania. Salt mining, which began under the Romans, was stopped in 1932. In 1992, the salt mine was transformed into a tourist center on the site of which a grandiose entertainment center was built in 2010 with an underground lake, a bowling alley, concert halls, a Ferris wheel and a panoramic elevator. Treatment under the supervision of doctors is not carried out, the benefits of the climate of the salt caves of Salina Turda have been proven experimentally.
In Praida Salt Caves (Jozsef Cave) in Romania the first speleological clinic was built at a depth of 120 m. summer months 2500-3000 visitors are delivered by a special bus. The salt cave has a large playground, billiard tables, sports halls, comfortable chairs - everything that makes a four-hour daily stay in the underground hospital comfortable, recommended by doctors in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Speleotherapy includes medical gymnastics under the guidance of experienced instructors, walks with a gradual increase physical activity. Patients aged 2 to 60 years are accepted for treatment. According to the results of many years of observations by the pulmonologist F. Emese, after 3-4 procedures of spleen treatment, the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks in bronchial asthma are significantly reduced, coughing is reduced, and the body's resistance is increased.
Not far from the most famous resort in Romania Slanic Moldova another Romanian speleological clinic was built. The largest sanatorium in Europe is located in the salt grottoes of Tirgu Okna. Chambers, a bowling alley, sports grounds are equipped in huge spacious halls. According to the observations of the doctors of the Slanic Moldova resort, the effectiveness of the treatment of bronchial asthma in children is 90%.
Romanian resort Slanic Prahova known for one of the largest salt caves in Europe, consisting of two different levels of caves - Unirea and Mihai. In the old salt adit, at a depth of 210 m, a speleological clinic is equipped for the treatment of patients with respiratory diseases. In the salt cave of Unirea, you can admire the busts and sculptures made of salt.
In Ukraine, the development of speleotherapy began in 1968 with the opening of the first underground hospital in the USSR regional allergological hospital in Solotvyno, a small village in the foothill zone of the Ukrainian Carpathians in the valley of the Tisza River with a mild foothill climate. Soon, in 1976, another underground hospital was opened in Solotvino. For the first time in the world, salt mines were drilled for an underground hospital according to a special project.
The Ukrainian Allergological Hospital in Solotvyno in the Transcarpathian region was the first in former USSR, where in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases, the method of speleotherapy was used in the microclimate of salt mines.
Speleotherapy sessions in Solotvyno were held in an underground department specially built in the thickness of the salt massif at a depth of 300 m from the earth's surface. The speleological clinic, which consisted of a system of galleries with a total length of 600 m, an average height of up to 6 m and a width of up to 12 m, was designed to receive 190 people at the same time.
Underground speleological clinics in the salt mines of Solotvyno are currently not functioning. In September 2008, after a breakthrough of water in the ventilation shaft, the speleological hospital of the Allergy Hospital of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine was closed. In May 2009, after another water breakthrough, the regional allergological hospital was closed.
Belarusian Republican Allergological Hospital in Soligorsk was built in 1985 in a depleted salt mine at a depth of 430 m in the Soligorsk potassium salt basin. Part of the underground chambers of the speleological clinic are located in the potash layer, others are in the rock salt massif, where patients rest, inhaling the healing light ions released by sylvinite and salt layers, and various procedures are performed in the medical building on the picturesque shore of the reservoir: electro-, phototherapy, massages, inhalations , baths that reinforce the effect of underground air therapy. According to the doctor's instructions, patients go down to the speleological clinic either during the day for 6 hours or at night for 12 hours. Course of treatment: 18 days.
Speleological clinic of the health-improving center Chon-Tuz in Kyrgyzstan It was built in 1981 in specially made salt mines at an altitude of 2100 m above sea level, near the village. Kochkorka, Naryn region. The unique combination of such natural factors as high mountains and increased concentration of aerions in cave mines helps with many respiratory diseases. In Chon-Tuz (Kyrgyzstan), the age is also limited - 5-65 years.
Sylvinite speleological clinic in a potash mine in the city of Berezniki, Perm Region at the Verkhnekamsk potash deposit was opened in 1977. It was the first such speleological clinic not only in Russia, but also in the world. The clinical effectiveness of underground speleotherapy in the speleo-hospital in Berezniki (15 years of observation) was 85.2% (in patients with severe bronchial asthma - 42.8%). Wherein positive effect speleotherapy in patients with bronchial asthma was maintained for 1-3 years in 93% of cases. But the small capacity of the spleen clinic does not even satisfy the needs of the city of Berezniki, not to mention the entire Perm region. In 2006, due to an emergency situation at the mine, the speleological clinic in the potash mines in Berezniki was closed.
In the literature on spa treatment, you can find a description of speleotherapy in Sol-Iletsk. Speleotherapy in the conditions of salt caves in Sol-Iletsk is not carried out, although in the worked-out adits of salt mines, nature and man have created unique conditions for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Salt is mined underground (chamber mining system) at a depth of about 300 m. The spent salt chambers are caves with ceilings up to 30 m high and wide, 500 m long, on the walls of which the combine leaves a pattern with a snow-white convex pattern with cutters. This is a unique deposit: the Iletsk salt is the purest sodium chloride and does not require additional purification and enrichment. At present, the construction of an underground speleological clinic and a ground-based sanatorium is underway as part of the development of the tourist and recreational cluster "Salt Lakes".
Salt Symphony, was rebuilt and since 2007 began to accept patients again.
In the Pretau karst cave in Italy It took 15 years to create an underground sanatorium. In the summer of 2003, the healing adit was open for several months, and already in 2004, more than 3,000 patients were treated in the speleo-hospital.
Soon, underground clinics will be built in the Russian salt mines in Sol-Iletsk, and possibly above karst caves Ural, Crimea and the North Caucasus built "star" hotels.
Indications for speleotherapy
- Bronchial asthma of mild and moderate severity without exacerbation (pulmonary insufficiency not higher than II degree).
- Pollinoses.
- Allergic rhinosinusitis without exacerbation.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Allergic dermatitis, neurodermatitis subacute or without exacerbation.
- Vegetative dysfunctions.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Contraindications to speleotherapy (in underground clinics):
- all diseases in acute form or in the acute stage,
- decompensated diseases of the cardiovascular system with circulatory failure,
- hypertension, with
- conditions after a heart attack, stroke,
- tuberculosis,
- cancer disease,
- pregnancy,
- bathophobia (fear of depth).
Speleotherapy in the Nomenclature of Medical Services
Service code; Name of medical service:
A20.30.018; Speleological influence
Order of the Ministry of Health and social development RF dated December 27, 2011 No. 1664n "On approval of the range of medical services"
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