In this article, we will tell you about what thermal health tourism is from A to Z, and we will also tell you about the locations of these places in Turkey.
What is Thermal Health Tourism?
In a nutshell, thermal tourism is a form of tourism focused on the positive effects that mineral-rich natural spring waters have on both physical and psychological health. Thermal health tourism, which is based on natural spring waters that emerge from the ground, has revealed a new perspective on hospitality and service in this context.
Thermal tourism, contrary to popular belief, dates back to quite ancient times. People traveled to places where thermal waters were located to find healing in ancient Greece, and it is also claimed that during the Roman and Byzantine periods too.
How Thermal Resources Are Formed
Thermal waters are formed in the earth's mantle layers. The water that seeps down from the earth heats up underground and returns to the earth through tectonic fault zones and volcanic shifts, which are the earth's breaking points. Depending on the region and the rock structure in that region, these waters contain a wide range of minerals.
Why is Thermal Tourism Popular Again?
In the world we live in, a fast-paced work environment, high-stress levels from living in metropolises, and a variety of other stress factors cause various levels of fatigue and harm in our bodies. Pollution, especially in city life, has a negative impact on repairing these damages.
Thermal facilities and hot springs play a critical role in the treatment of these damages. In the past, thermal tourism appealed to people over a certain age, but today the average age has fallen considerably. Nowadays, individuals in their 20's can also include thermal tourism on their agenda.
What are the Types of Thermal Tourism?
Although thermal tourism is shaped around warm groundwater, it also contains many different types. Some of these types are as follows;
Hot Spring Bath: This means that the curing treatment is repeated at regular intervals, and in certain doses. Since bath curing applications are admonitory and compliance treatment; they should be applied under the supervision of a doctor, and within a certain period of time.
There are different types of cures in thermal health applications. One of them is the spa bath. These baths are classified as cold, warm, hot, and extremely hot according to temperature ranges. Spa baths last about 20 minutes on average. Baths are usually applied for 2 to 4 weeks, either every day (one day a week passes without a bath) or every other day. The frequency of bathing and the temperature degree of bathing are determined by specialist doctors for the needs of the patient.
During these treatments, which are performed in private bathrooms with specially prepared waters, the tubs are disinfected after each use.
Peloid Application
Another application of curing is the application of mud, also known as peloid. Peloid applications are used in the form of baths or more often in the form of packages. Package-style application is the most commonly used peloid therapy method. Mineral swamps, marine and delta slime, and medicinal soils mixed with thermo-mineral water are used in mud bath cures. Depending on the needs of the patient, the areas of the body where these packages are applied may vary.
These slurries, which can reach temperatures of 50 degrees, typically take 30 to 40 minutes to apply. This form of care is used to treat; rheumatic, post-traumatic, postoperative, orthopedic lesions, gynecological conditions, and certain digestive system diseases, and with positive outcomes.
Gas Bath: A gas bath is a type of cure that uses carbon dioxide. The temperature of the water in carbon dioxide liquid bath applications, which is a form of bathing with carbon dioxide water, is held between 33 and 35 °C. A treatment takes about 15 minutes on average. arbon dioxide baths are often recommended for two consecutive days of bathing and a third day of resting.
In addition, there is a type of cure that is applied by giving gas alone in a special cabin privately.
Respiratory Cure (Inhalation): Respiratory cures mean that mineral water is divided into particles of the appropriate diameter by special techniques and taken by the respiratory tract. Respiratory cures should be applied at an average temperature of 30 degrees and in a time interval of 5 to 15 minutes.
Which Diseases are Thermal Waters Good For?
Thermal waters are used in the treatment of many diseases, such as; respiratory diseases, skin diseases, muscular and skeletal system diseases, cardiovascular system diseases, gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases, kidney and urinary tract diseases, gynecology and neurological diseases are all a part of the diseases included in the thermal water's healing powers.
Thermal Health Tourism in Turkey
Turkey is a country surrounded by many fault lines because it is located in an area where the Anatolian plate fractures are found. Therefore, the country's lands are very rich in terms of mineral hot spring waters. There are more than 1,300 hot groundwater sources in Turkey, 500 of which are known to be medicinal. Thus, the country is one of the most preferred destinations in the world for thermal tourism purposes.
In the country hosting a total of 190 Hot Springs, thermal tourism bed potential was calculated as 1,365,000. Afyon ranks at the top of this ranking, followed by the provinces of; Aydin, Denizli, Izmir, Kütahya and Sivas.
You can get more detailed information about hotels and services by visiting our article about; "Thermal Hotels Approved by the Ministry of Health in Turkey".
