Thalasso

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Thalasso (derived from ancient Greek θάλασσα thálassa 'sea') describes the treatment of diseases with cold or heated sea water, sea air, sun, algae , silt and sand.

Beginning in 1750 with the doctoral thesis of the English doctor Richard Russell on the therapeutic effect of sea water against infectious diseases ("On enlarging the cervical lymph nodes or using sea water for diseases of the lymph nodes "), the method became generally recognized and flourished in the 19th century all of Western Europe, especially in France. In Germany, Heiligendamm, the first sea spa, was founded in 1793 . After the Second World War , thalassotherapy lost its importance due to its high cost and the wide availability of new drugs.

Today there is a smooth transition between medical institutes for the treatment of respiratory diseases, rheumatism and chronic skin diseases to health and wellness-oriented offers for vacationers.

Tunisia is the world's second largest provider of thalassotherapy after France . Around 600,000 guests are counted every year. In Germany there are Thalasso facilities on the Baltic Sea and the North Sea . The largest Thalasso center in Germany is located on Norderney (since August 2005).

Quality features

Since the term thalasso is not protected, thalasso treatments with dried algae and sea salt products are also offered inland. In 2002 the Association of German Thalasso Centers adopted criteria for "real" Thalassotherapy, which are binding for its members:

  • The facility must be directly by the sea (maximum 300 meters from the sea)
  • She has to treat with fresh and untreated sea water
  • The facility must have at least one seawater pool and enough treatment cabins to be able to offer each guest three individual treatments per day
  • At least one spa doctor, masseurs, therapist and sports teacher must be available
  • Hygiene and safety are constantly monitored
  • Other health-promoting activities are offered

The European Spas Association also demands:

  • Low-allergen and pure sea air
  • Heliotherapy with natural solar radiation
  • Exercise offers on the seashore.

Competent representatives from 13 nations met at the 1st International Thalasso Congress in the Baltic Sea resort of Warnemünde , organized by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Association of Baths and the European Spas Association (EHV), in order to underline thalassotherapy = marine medicine with quality criteria.

The eight criteria for successful use of thalassotherapy:

  1. A therapeutic and / or preventive concept for defined indications (therapeutic indications) under medical supervision must be in place.
  2. The place of treatment must be directly by the sea, i.e. in the direct influence of the marine climate. '
  3. Sea water for inhalation and / or bathing e.g. B. as a tub or swimming pool as well as a natural seaside pool must be available.
  4. Sea products such as B. silt, algae, chalk and sand can be used for different applications.
  5. Heliotherapy is part of the concept, i.e. the primary use of natural solar radiation, supplemented by artificial UV rays in unfavorable weather.
  6. Low-allergen and clean sea air can be used during extended stays in the open air.
  7. Dosed exposure to the climate and exercise therapy in the zone near the shore must be made possible, as well as a controlled increase in these therapy stimuli.
  8. Accompanying health-building measures, for example with a focus on relaxation, diet changes and physical activity, complement the thalasso therapy.

At the 2nd International Thalasso Congress, which took place in April 2008 in the Heringsdorf Seeheilbad in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, these eight quality criteria for the successful use of thalassotherapy were confirmed by the representatives of the 16 countries present.

Thalasso is divided into two directions:

  1. Thalassotherapy as a medical remedy. It is subject to special conditions, such as constant monitoring of the quality of the medicinal product water, constant medical, scientific support by the doctor and trained therapists. This extremely high level of quality can only be achieved by therapy facilities and rehabilitation clinics in seaside spas and seaside resorts with the appropriate medical and scientific know-how. Thalassotherapy is used there to cure illnesses and to prevent illnesses (rehabilitation and prevention). This therapeutic treatment (thalassotherapy) is recognized by the cost bearers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a local remedy.
  2. Thalasso application for preventive and cosmetic purposes. It must be strictly ensured that this application is also carried out by qualified personnel and that any misuse of applications with Thalasso is excluded.

At the II. International Thalasso Congress in the Heringsdorf Seeheilbad, ten international criteria for a Thalasso location / resort were drawn up and approved for the first time.

The fulfillment of these ten international criteria is a prerequisite for the “Premium Thalasso Europe Award” and the highest distinction a seaside spa or seaside resort or resort can acquire. This award, also known as “THALATA” (Sea Princess), was unanimously awarded to the Heringsdorf Seeheilbad as a Thalasso resort / resort.

Course of a thalasso cure

After a consultation with a doctor, the treatment program is determined individually. A cure usually lasts a week. Elements of thalasso therapy are: hydrotherapy , pressure massage, electrophysiotherapy, baths, packs with algae and silt, Vichy shower, jet shower, inhalations with aerosol and water aerobics.

Indications

The following indications are most common for a medical thalassotherapy regimen:

Thalasso in the wellness area is only for relaxation.

  • Respiratory disease
  • Early stages of hyperthyroidism
  • Fibromyalgia [progressive symptoms]

Contraindications

Thalasso is not suitable for everyone. Under no circumstances should the method be used without prior medical advice for:

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Wilhelm Gemoll : Greek-German school and hand dictionary . G. Freytag Verlag / Hölder-Pichler-Tempsky, Munich / Vienna 1965.
  2. ^ Arnd Krüger : History of movement therapy, in: Preventive medicine . Springer, Heidelberg Loseblatt Collection 1999, 07.06, pp. 1–22.
  3. ↑ Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Swimming Association. Retrieved September 10, 2012 .

literature

  • Ingfried Hobert : healing from the ocean. Vitality, strength and beauty through algae and thalassotherapy , Verlag Oesch, 2003, ISBN 3-0350-3014-6
  • Angela Schuh: Climate and Thalassotherapy. Basics and practice , MVS medical publishers, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8304-5300-0

Web links