Scientific studies into the effectiveness of balneotherapy do not show that balneotherapy is effective for treating rheumatoid arthritis. There is also no evidence indicating a more effective type of bath, or to indicate that bathing is more effective than exercise, relaxation therapy, or mudpacks.

What are the benefits of balneotherapy?

Balneotherapy can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment and other therapies, such as physical therapy or phototherapy. Psychological and physical benefits include relaxation, stress management, and improvements in sleep and mood.

Is balneotherapy the same as hydrotherapy?

Israeli research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy on patients with FMS in the Dead Sea (Buskila et al 2001). Forty-eight patients with FMS were randomly assigned to either a treatment group receiving sulphur baths or a control group. All participants stayed for 10 days at a Dead Sea spa.