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Medical resorts of the world. The best health resorts in the world

Medical and health tourism

Medical- health tourism, as a type of ecological tourism, is a type of sanatorium-resort treatment and considers the organization of population health from the point of view of travel technology. This is achieved through the formation of a tourism product, which is based on a therapeutic or health-improving technology that improves the quality of life by fully satisfying the need for recreation, recovery and treatment using various components of the natural complex (landscape, comfortable climate, healthy regime, change of scenery, etc.) and - such methods of influencing the human body as balneo-, peloid-, landscape-, thalasso- and climatotherapy.

Medical and health tourism has a number of distinctive features. Firstly, your stay at the resort, regardless of the type of illness or disease, must be long, at least three weeks. Only in this case the desired healing effect is achieved. Secondly, treatment at resorts is expensive. Although relatively cheap tours have recently begun to be developed, this type of tourism is designed mainly for wealthy clients who are increasingly focused not on a standard set of medical services, but on an individual treatment program. Another feature is that older people go to resorts. age group when chronic diseases worsen or the weakening body is unable to cope with everyday stress at work and at home. Accordingly, these tourists choose between resorts specializing in treatment specific disease, and mixed-type resorts, which have a general strengthening effect on the body and help restore strength.

History of the development of medical and health tourism

Traveling with medicinal purposes have a long history. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans used healing springs and places with a favorable climate in order to improve their health. Not only sick people, but also healthy people who wanted to relax and had sufficient funds for this, arrived at the resorts. In Greece Epidaurus and Kos were famous, and in Rome the secular seaside resort of Baiae was famous.

Times have changed, but the motivation for traveling remains the same. The healing properties of natural factors, as before, attract patients to resort areas. The flows of tourists for medicinal purposes are not yet as numerous as the masses of those wishing to relax and have fun, but they are growing rapidly and their geography is expanding.

Back in the 18th century, Peter I, returning after treatment to foreign resorts, ordered the court physicians to “look for spring waters in our state that can be used for various diseases.”

The development of the resort business in Russia was greatly facilitated by the activities of the Russian Balneological Society on the Caucasian Mineral Waters, founded in 1863 by the famous doctor S.A. Smirnov. F.A. did a lot of work on the Caucasian mineral waters. Batalin, who summed up the previous study of mineral springs and offered a comprehensive description of their condition and development prospects. In the second half of the 19th century, medicinal climatic areas in Siberia were examined - Yamarovka and Darasun. Gradually, the geography of the study of mineral waters is expanding and moving through the Urals to Siberia. In 1868, researcher Afanasy Bushuev discovered mineral springs Sea of Okhotsk. Along with the healing properties of mineral waters and mud, a beneficial effect of climate on patients on the southern coast of Crimea was discovered. The healing properties of kumiss were also revealed. The network of health resorts using natural healing resources gradually expanded. But scientific work on the study of natural healing factors was carried out mainly by enthusiasts (F.P. Gaaz, F.A. Batalin, A.P. Nelyubin, etc.).

Specifics of medical and health tourism

The contingent of vacationers at resorts is specific. There is a very large proportion of elderly people and people who are physically weak and sick. Therefore, most resorts are characterized by increased comfort. Treatment involves undergoing a certain course of procedures, the total duration of which is from 10 to 30 days. Therefore, the duration of stay at the resort is much higher than the average in tourism. This, as well as the fact that the cost of staying at the resort includes payment for medical procedures, medical supervision, as well as increased comfort, makes resort tourism one of the most expensive types.

Recently, the health tourism market has been undergoing changes. Traditional resorts are becoming increasingly multifunctional health centers designed for a wide range of consumers. There is a growing number of people in the world who want to maintain good physical shape and need restorative anti-stress programs. These are mostly middle-aged people who are no strangers to active physical recreation. In addition, the reorientation of resorts to a new market segment is associated with a reduction in financial support from municipalities and the state.

Exist different kinds resort and medical institutions. In Russia, the main type of medical and preventive institution at resorts is a sanatorium (from the Latin Sano - I treat, heal). Small resort institutions are hospitals (water and mud baths), health resorts, and boarding houses. A prerequisite for any resort establishment is the presence medical personnel, treatment and health monitoring.

It is desirable that each region has a group of resorts with a variety of destinations therapeutic effect, intended for the local population, since for vacationers at resorts, especially the elderly and people with poor health, staying in other natural areas or time zones requires long acclimatization in new conditions, as well as upon return. This can lead to low effectiveness of treatment at a resort remote from your permanent place of residence.

The science of balneology

Medical and health tourism involves the movement of residents and non-residents within state borders and beyond state borders for a period of at least 20 hours and no more than 6 months. for health purposes, for the prevention of various diseases of the human body. Medical and health tourism is based on balneology.

Resortology is the science of natural healing factors, their effects on the body and methods of use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Main sections of balneology:

Balneology is a branch of balneology that studies medicinal mineral waters, their origin, physicochemical characteristics, the effect on the body in various diseases, developing indications for their use in resorts and in non-resort conditions.

Balneotherapy - methods of treatment, prevention and restoration of impaired body functions using natural and artificially prepared mineral waters in resorts and in non-resort conditions.

Mud therapy is a method of treatment and prevention of body diseases using peloids, i.e. therapeutic mud of various origins, at resorts and in non-resort conditions.

Climatotherapy is a set of methods for treating and preventing diseases of the body using dosed exposure to climatic and weather factors and special climatic procedures on the human body.

Resortography - description of location and natural conditions resorts and resort areas with characteristics of their therapeutic factors, balneotherapeutic, climatotherapeutic and other conditions for treatment and recreation.

Resorts and their typology

Resort is a territory with natural healing factors and necessary conditions for their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Resort is an area with valuable natural properties, suitable for treatment with mineral waters, therapeutic mud or special climatic conditions (seas, lakes, mountain landscapes, forest areas, steppes, etc.).

The following requirements apply to resorts:

1) the presence of natural healing factors that provide normal functioning resort;

2) the necessary technical devices and buildings for the rational use of resort factors (swimming pools, mud baths, beaches, etc.);

3) specially adapted premises for treatment and housing (sanatoriums, rest homes);

4) the presence of treatment and prophylactic institutions providing medical service sick and vacationers;

5) the presence of health facilities, sports facilities and playgrounds;

6) the presence of public institutions, catering establishments, trade and consumer services, cultural and educational institutions;

7) convenient entrances and means of communication;

8) landscaped territory, engineering and technical structures providing electricity and water supply, sewerage.

The specialization of any resort is determined by resort factors - natural healing factors used for the purposes of prevention, therapy and medical rehabilitation of patients at resorts.

Main resort factors:

Landscape and climatic conditions;

healing mud;

mineral water.

All resorts can be divided into 6 types:

1. Balneological mud resort - a type of resort where mineral waters and therapeutic mud dominate as the main healing factors.

2. Balneoclimatic resort - a type of resort where climate and mineral waters are the main healing factors.

3. Balneological resort - a type of resort where mineral waters are used as the main healing factors (for internal and external use).

4. Mud resort - a type of resort where therapeutic mud acts as the main healing factors.

5. Climatokumys-therapeutic resort - a type of resort where the steppe and forest-steppe climate and kumys - a fermented milk drink made from mare's milk - are used as the main therapeutic factors.

6. Climatic resort:

seaside climatic resort;

mountain climatic resort.

At the balneological resort, natural mineral waters are used as the main healing factor. They are recommended for external use (baths) and internal (inhalation, drinking, etc.) consumption. Mineral waters help cure many ailments. Among the patients coming to balneological resorts, mainly people with diseases gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems, respiratory tract and musculoskeletal system. Treatment at these resorts gives results comparable to the effects of conventional medications, but eliminates side effects, inevitable when taking medications, the period of remission is extended, the likelihood of subsequent exacerbations and their intensity is reduced.

Mud resorts are tied to deposits of therapeutic mud (peloids). Mud therapy is indicated mainly for pathologies of the joints and nervous system traumatic origin, as well as for gynecological and some other diseases.

Climatic resorts are as varied as the climate itself. In the structure of climatic resorts in the world, forest (plain) resorts account for approximately 11.3%, mountain resorts - 24.2%, and climatic-kumys-therapeutic resorts - about 4.2%. Each of them has a unique combination of climatic and weather factors (temperature, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, etc.), which are used therapeutically preventive purpose. The profile of the resort depends on the combination of these factors. If forest resorts with a continental climate are indicated for people suffering from diseases of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, and nervous system disorders, then staying in mountain resorts is recommended for initial forms of tuberculosis and anemia. The most common and popular type of climatic resort is seaside. These resorts make up 60.3% of the structure of climatic resorts in the world. An increasing number of tourists are discovering the opportunity to combine a seaside holiday with effective treatment. The maritime climate has a beneficial effect on people with blood diseases, bone tissue, lymphatic glands.

Along with the three main types of resorts - balneological, mud and climatic - transitional types are distinguished. They use several natural healing factors at once, for example, mineral waters and mud or climate and mineral waters. Transition resorts are widespread in Europe and are increasingly attracting tourists from different countries. IN last years wide use got spa resorts. Such resorts are organized not only in recreational areas, but also in large cities, even in hotels intended for business tourism.

According to forecasts, demand will continue to grow, because a healthy body and a healthy mind are not just a tribute to fashion. An individual program developed by spa center specialists not only makes a person healthier, but also contributes to a more positive perception of life. Recently, hotels with spa complexes at balneological resorts have become very popular, as well as special spa hotels, where the goals of healing, relaxation using a variety of water procedures and other means come first. Five-star city hotels are sure to provide their guests with the services of fitness or spa centers.

There are several versions of the origin of this term. The most common belief is that it is an abbreviation of the Latin saying sanus per aqua - "health through water." Perhaps it came from the name of the Belgian town of Spa with mineral springs, where the first balneological resort was organized (from the Latin balneum - “bath”).

Healing with mineral water and medicinal mud has been known for a long time. Even the ancient Greeks used baths with permanent ingredients to improve their health. The famous Roman baths - therms - appeared shortly before our era. With the spread of Christianity in medieval Europe, the bathhouse culture was forgotten. Only at the end of the 17th century, when it was proven that water procedures have a healing effect on the human body, they again became in demand, although in the East this tradition was not interrupted (remember, for example, the Turkish hammam bath, which has existed for many centuries).

Nowadays, spa hotels and hotels with spa complexes (usually high-category accommodation facilities), as a rule, are located in balneological resorts next to thermal mineral springs, which makes it possible to use water of a certain chemical composition and temperatures for various medicinal, health and cosmetic purposes.

In the spa complex of a large expensive hotel, in addition to the usual set (sauna, swimming pool, massage), clients are offered daily water therapy, which implies the presence of a variety of physiotherapeutic equipment and licensed specialists - doctors and cosmetologists. It provides rooms for hydrotherapy, cosmetic care for the face and body, a sauna (mini pool, spa bar, rooms for group/individual fitness classes or other types of physical exercise (yoga, water aerobics, etc.), relaxation area, locker room. Such hotels can be located both within the city and outside it, even at ski resorts, where spa programs are increasingly offered as an additional service. For example, conference or exhibition participants can take an intensive course for relaxation, stress relief or weight loss.

Spa sanatorium-type hotels are located in the resort area and have a full range of physiotherapy programs. Before going there, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They also offer wellness programs - general health, relaxation and beauty, which are suitable for a completely healthy person.

In sanatorium-type hotels, individual accommodation is provided in a room with a shower; the client is provided with bathrobes, slippers and towels. Here you can get a complete diagnosis of your physical condition, and after completing a course of full treatment (21 - 24 days), achieve long-term remission (absence of manifestations of the disease). Traditional spa services are complemented by special diets and physical exercises: walking and cycling, tennis, golf. Such hotels must have a landscaped area with a park and flower beds, indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Separately, we can note hotels with thalassotherapy centers (sea treatment) on sea resorts, where during procedures, mainly general health and cosmetic, sea water and sea products (algae, sea salt, medicinal mud), as well as products from well-known cosmetic lines, are used. Swimming in the sea, sunbathing, walking along the shore have a healing effect on the body and mood of a person, which together refreshes and renews the skin, calms the nerves, strengthens muscles, and improves not only the body, but also the soul. Therefore, staying in very fashionable hotels with thalassotherapy centers is not so much treatment as relaxation and have a nice time with health benefits. French cosmetologists have found that the effect of a weekly course lasts six to eight months.

There are such centers in many countries of the world that have a sea coast, because sea water should be stored in tanks for no more than 48 hours and never reused. In Europe there are especially many of them in France, Cyprus, Italy and Spain, in South-East Asia- on the islands of Koh Samui (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia).

You can plunge into the atmosphere of luxury and pampering by staying in a large four-five-star spa hotel, where life is subordinated to one task: every client should improve their health and relax, relieve stress and disconnect from everyday worries. They usually have so many treatments to offer that it is worth getting information about them in advance.

Some spa hotels book rooms only if the client immediately orders spa treatments, while in others the “spa menu” can be compiled upon arrival at the place. There's a cult here healthy image life. The uniform is sports, the use of mobile phones and perfume is kept to a minimum. Restaurants offer balanced and healthy dishes. With the help of a variety of water procedures of the so-called spa menu, offered in each specific center, you can increase muscle tone, relax, get rid of diseases and stress, lose weight and look younger. It is advisable that all procedures be agreed upon with a doctor, as many of them have contraindications.

Hydrotherapy includes many different techniques: showers, baths (general, local, sitz), steam inhalations, rubbing, compresses (hot and cold), wraps and much more. On average, the procedure lasts 15 - 20 minutes, some - three to four minutes (for example, irrigation of the nasal cavity). The most popular are showers and baths. The shower gently envelops the body or, conversely, massages (tones) it. Moreover, water flows should be directed from peripheral organs to the heart. Showers vary in temperature: cold (+8...+18°C), indifferent (+33...+35°C), warm (+36...+38°C), hot (from +40°C); according to the shape and direction of the jets: rain, needle, dust, circular, jet (Charcot and Scottish showers), fan, ascending; according to the degree of water pressure: low (up to 1 atm), medium (1.5 - 2 atm), high (2.5 - 4 atm); by localization of impact: general or local. For example, an underwater shower massage is carried out in a special bath with a compact stream of water, as a result of which the patient’s blood circulation and lymph flow improves and has a tonic effect on the body. Among the technically complex ones, one can note the Snail shower complex shower installation, which combines seven types of showers (circular, rain, dust, tropical, needle, fan and Scottish) and affects the senses: touch (body massage with jets various shapes, temperature and pressure), smell (aromatherapy), vision (special lighting). Various baths are divided into general, local and half-baths. In spa centers, baths with mineral water(carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, radon, nitrogen, chloride, sodium) varying degrees salinity and temperature. Many ladies prefer pearl baths, when bubbling air bubbles provide a kind of “tactile massage.” Ozone molecules penetrate the skin and activate the antioxidant system in superficial tissues. In sitz baths for the thighs, both cold and hot water are used (according to indications), as well as for local baths (for the legs or arms). Expensive spa hotels often offer a “Cleopatra bath,” designed for water treatments combined with aromatherapy. Sea water or salt, seaweed, wine, milk, honey, rose petals, green tea, infusions of herbs and flowers, as well as medicines. It is used for hardening, prevention and treatment of various diseases, and stress relief. Rubdowns are used for medicinal and hygienic purposes, as well as for hardening. They can be general or local, with the addition of salts or essential oils to enhance the irritant effect on the skin. Wraps can be full or partial, wet or dry. Local wet wraps are widely used. Cold compresses cause spasm of superficial blood vessels, hot compresses increase local blood flow and metabolism, and reduce muscle tone. Spa centers also use applications with therapeutic mud, clay or herbal decoctions. Active hydrotherapeutic procedures include cold rubbing and dousing with water of varying temperatures.

Modern spa hotels have up to six or more different baths, reflecting the centuries-old traditions of different countries. Some of the oldest are Greek and Roman baths with rooms for dry and wet baths, rest and undressing, washing and a swimming pool. In Turkish baths, the floor is heated by hot air, and hot water, spilled on the floor, creates abundant steam. Very popular Finnish saunas and Roman-Irish baths. These are air baths with a moderate temperature of 50 - 60°C. Hot air passes under the floor and along the walls of the preparation room and steam room, and then enters through holes in the floor. A special pipe for the exhaust air exit makes the atmosphere in such a steam room healthier than in a Roman bath. Well-known health and healing effect traditional Russian bath using various aromatic brooms. There is a growing interest in traditional Japanese baths: dry baths using hot sawdust and water baths, which are located in a large wooden barrel.

Among the most common procedures included in the “menu” of spa centers, one can note mud therapy (peloid therapy), used for therapeutic, prophylactic and rehabilitation purposes, clay therapy, phototherapy (light treatment), in particular heliotherapy (solar irradiation), massage (traditional, manual, Thai, Ayurvedic, etc.), aromatherapy, etc. Various cosmetic, tonic, relaxing, anti-cellulite, detoxification, anti-stress, rejuvenating and other wellness programs are offered in such quantities that they can only be limited by the time spent at the hotel.

General principles of organizing treatment and recovery at resorts

High result professional level doctors, skilled hands of massage therapists and experts in the field of aesthetics - all this is used to help resort guests find a state of harmony and tranquility. As part of any wellness program, you can, for an additional fee, get a consultation with a specialist doctor who will prescribe an individual diet for you to follow at home.

As a rule, resort guests have free access to the main infrastructure of the resort (use of swimming pools with thermal water, hydromassage; gym where they can attend group sports classes, etc.). Essential Principles organization of sanatorium-resort treatment - availability of treatment, focus, unified system for monitoring health status and the effectiveness of treatment before, during and after a stay at the resort.

The most important principle of sanatorium-resort treatment is its complexity, i.e. the use of a variety of natural healing factors in combination with diet therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, drug therapy and other methods. The main natural healing factor is climate. Along with the climate, mineral waters and medicinal mud are also used. The most important task The ongoing course of treatment and recovery is the normalization of the functions of the central nervous system, which helps to streamline the activities of the cardiovascular, respiratory systems, and metabolic processes. Mandatory elements of treatment and recovery at resorts are therapeutic exercises, health paths, sports games, exercise therapy.

For the effectiveness of spa treatment, general resort, sanatorium and individual regimes are of particular importance. The general resort regime applies to the entire territory of the resort and is regulated by the rules of procedure at this resort. It includes the regulated work of resort-wide diagnostic, medical and resort amenities, as well as noise control. The sanatorium regime is the routine and rhythm of life in the sanatorium, which determines a certain periodicity of influence on the patient. The sanatorium regime provides both general rules for all patients, as well as individual instructions and recommendations of the attending physician regarding the patient’s daily routine and the implementation of treatment prescriptions. An individual regimen is compiled individually for each patient and is determined after the first conversation with the doctor. It depends on the nature of the disease and the patient’s condition and can be training, when an increased impact of procedures is used, or gentle - with a limitation in the amount and intensity of the applied therapeutic effect.

Your stay at the sanatorium can be divided into three stages:

The initial period (adaptation), in which a gentle regimen is applied and is not yet prescribed in full healing procedures; this period coincides with the additional examination of the patient and usually does not exceed 2 - 3 days.

The main treatment period, during which the treatment complex is fully implemented (on average 20 days);

The final period (2 - 3 days), when a gentle regimen is reintroduced and patients rest after completing the treatment cycle.

Examples of wellness programs offered at resorts

"Modern thermal program" (8 days)

Provides for a medical examination, doctor supervision during the entire period, 6 sessions of mud therapy and thermal ozone baths, 4 therapeutic massages (reflexology, therapeutic, sports, hydromassage), 2 massages - relaxing and pain-relieving (shiatsu, reiki, Ayurvedic, stone therapy with hot stones), 4 procedures for beauty and health.

"Power control" (8 days)

A medical examination is provided, doctor supervision during the entire period of procedures, 6 mud therapy sessions, 6 showers and baths with thermal ozonated and aromatized water, 2 weight loss massages with local anti-cellulite effects, 1 lymphatic drainage massage for figure modeling, 2 lymphatic drainage for the whole body, 2 pressotherapy, 1 cosmetologist procedure according to an individual program for the body and a visit to a nutritionist, menu according to an individual program, thermal card.

"Thermal mud" (3 days)

A medical examination, doctor supervision during the entire period of procedures, 3 thermal mud applications, showers and baths with thermal ozonized water, therapeutic massage, thermal card are provided.

Modern medical and health tourism

Recently, the health tourism market has been undergoing changes. Traditional sanatorium resorts are no longer a place of treatment and recreation for the elderly, but will be replaced by multifunctional health centers designed for a wide range of consumers.

Modern transformations of resort centers are due to two circumstances. First of all, a change in the nature of demand for medical and health services. A healthy lifestyle is becoming fashionable, and all over the world there is a growing number of people who want to maintain good physical shape and need restorative anti-stress programs. These are mostly middle-aged people who prefer active recreation and are often pressed for time. According to many experts, type consumers will be the main clients of sanatorium resorts and a guarantee of the prosperity of medical and health tourism in the 21st century.

The second reason for the reorientation of resorts is that their traditional support, including financial support, from municipalities and the state is declining. Health resorts are forced to diversify their product in order to enter new segments of the consumer market and attract additional customers.

While maintaining the therapeutic function, resorts make the program of stay for patients more varied and hold cultural and sporting events. They offer a wide range of health and recuperation services. Thalassotherapy has recently been very popular in seaside hotels; the Anti-Cellulite and Phyto-Beauty-Rejuvenation programs are also in high demand. The duration of treatment and recovery courses becomes more flexible.

However, holidays at resorts pursue not only medical purposes, but also provide a leisure and entertainment program rich in various animation cycles that can raise vitality vacationers, satisfy their spiritual and emotional needs.

When choosing a place to relax in a health resort, people take into account not only medical factors, but also the sports and animation services that the health resort can offer.

Changes in the recreational needs of the population and their demands for the quality of recreation have led to the development of a resort and recreational system, the main goal of which is to improve human health, quality and life expectancy.

The modern market for medical and recreational recreation includes recreational enterprises providing medical services, travel companies - intermediary enterprises selling services.

Medical services belong to the most expensive category, because... are based on the use of valuable natural medicinal resources, the exploitation of which requires complex balneotechnical management and medical equipment. Providing treatment services is impossible without the presence of specially trained personnel. Health resorts also provide special dietary meals for vacationers.

At the same time, at medical resorts the entire structure inherent in simply health centers is preserved: comfortable conditions accommodation of vacationers and providing them with interesting entertainment and sports programs. Therefore, holidays at health resorts always cost much more than other types of health holidays.

Therapeutic recreation has a number of distinctive features. Firstly, the stay at the resort, regardless of the type of the latter and the disease, must be long, at least 3 weeks (but today there are programs designed for 7-10 days). Only in this case the desired healing effect is achieved. Secondly, treatment at resorts is expensive. Although relatively cheap tours have recently begun to be developed, this type of tourism is designed mainly for wealthy clients who are increasingly focused not on a standard set of medical services, but on an individual treatment program. Another feature is that people of the older age group traditionally go to resorts when chronic illnesses worsen or the weakening body is unable to cope with everyday stress at work and at home. Accordingly, these tourists make a choice between resorts specializing in the treatment of a specific disease and mixed-type resorts, which have a general strengthening effect on the body and promote recuperation.

Week-long tour, one-day hiking and excursions combined with comfort (trekking) in the mountain resort of Khadzhokh (Adygea, Krasnodar region). Tourists live at the camp site and visit numerous natural monuments. Rufabgo waterfalls, Lago-Naki plateau, Meshoko gorge, Big Azish cave, Belaya River Canyon, Guam gorge.

There are a lot of things on our planet most interesting places. Many attractions are the creation of human hands, but there are also those that were given to man by nature itself. Strikingly beautiful landscapes with an amazing climate in some parts of the Earth are complemented by no less impressive healing features of the regions. Such places attract special attention from people seeking vivid emotions and caring about their health.

People have long agreed that certain corners of our planet have special energy. Usually, rumor gives such characteristics to regions that differ from others in their particularly favorable climate and the presence of pronounced healing properties. Most often, “places of power” have their own mineral springs, which is not surprising, because water is life. There are such points on every continent except Antarctica, and many of them are known throughout the world.

Dead Sea, Israel, Jordan

One of the natural wonders of the world is the largest salt lake on Earth - the Dead Sea. There are legends about its uniqueness, but there are enough scientifically proven facts to surprise even the most notorious skeptic. This body of water is located in a hot desert at a level of more than 400 meters below the line of the world's oceans, which causes the highest atmospheric pressure in the region. Due to the hot climate and evaporation of water in the Dead Sea, it is the saltiest on the planet. Moreover, the oxygen content in this place is 10% higher than in other parts of the globe, and the ozone layer here is the thickest.

Air on the coast saturated with mineral vapors Dead Sea has the same therapeutic effect as some salt caves where people go down for healing procedures. Despite the hot climate, the effect of direct sunlight here is softened due to the composition of the air and the size of the ozone layer; however, we should not forget about the effect of excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation on the body.

The composition of water in the Dead Sea differs significantly from water in the seas and oceans. It contains a lot of magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride. All this determines the unique beneficial properties of the water at this health resort. And the amount of salts in the reservoir is so great that the water seems oily to the touch and is capable of supporting an adult afloat without any action on his part. In addition, the Dead Sea is famous for its healing sulfide mud with a high content of bromine and iodine.

Health resorts of the Dead Sea are located in Israel and Jordan. The most famous places with boarding houses and modern medical centers on the Jordanian side are located in the Madaba region, on the Israeli side - in the town of Ein Bokek. Indications for treatment here include diseases of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, skin, and nervous system. In addition, baths made from healing water and Dead Sea mud have a pronounced cosmetic effect and influence the normalization of metabolism.

Dalian, China

One of the centers is located on the shores of the Yellow Sea in China sea holiday and spa treatment Dalian. This region, like almost everything in China, occupies a huge area. Suffice it to say that the beaches of Dalian stretch along a coastline of 900 kilometers, and many modern sanatoriums they are located on an area of several thousand square kilometers.

In many boarding houses in Dalian, mineral waters and mud are used for therapeutic and cosmetic procedures. Here they restore the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, treat back pain, and engage in general health improvement of the body. Many modern techniques include centuries-old Chinese experience in application medicinal herbs, using reflexology, massage.

Speaking about health resorts in China, it is impossible to ignore the best balneological resort of Wudalianchi in the northern part of the country. This is also a kind of “place of power” in the region of 14 extinct volcanoes. There are mineral springs here, the waters of which are used to treat skin diseases, heart diseases, blood vessels and joints.

Hot Springs, USA

In the US state of Arkansas, not far from Hot Springs National Park, the city of the same name is located. Its main natural attraction is mentioned in the name Hot Springs, that is, Hot Springs or Hot Springs. This miracle of nature, according to scientific research, was formed in this area about four thousand years ago! By the way, the name of American Hot Springs is very close to Russian Mineralnye Vody.

Water from underground Hot Springs outlets has a temperature of over +60°C. It erupts from the ground in hot streams like fountains of whales in the sea. Total on site national park there are 47 geothermal springs! ABOUT healing power The Indians who inhabited these lands before the discovery of America created legends about the local water. Currently, a large number of medical institutions and sanatoriums have been built here offering procedures aimed at recovery musculoskeletal system and treatment of joint diseases, to get rid of diseases of the nervous system and skin diseases. Hot Springs thermal waters contain sodium, iodine, bromine, nitrogen, silicon and other minerals.

Agus Quentes, Brazil

South America is also famous for its numerous “power points” and unique natural resorts. Many of them are located along the coastline Atlantic Ocean, others inland on the shores of lakes and near waterfalls. Every year, tourists from all over the world come to Brazil in search of physical and mental health. The Agus-Quentes region is considered one of the most popular health centers in the South American country.

In the Agus-Kentes valley, surrounded by jungle, there are warm mineral springs with increased content rubidium in water. Its effect on the body is to maintain metabolic processes. Local thermal springs are recommended for people with musculoskeletal diseases.

Hepburn Springs, Australia

One of the oldest balneological resorts in Australia is located in the town of Hepburn Springs, 125 kilometers from Melbourne. Now this area is part of a nature reserve. Purely therapeutic procedures are complemented here by cosmetic ones. Hepburn Springs developed thanks to immigrants from Italy and Switzerland who settled here, who are well acquainted with the use of mineral springs for healing and spa treatments.

World-famous health resorts annually attract thousands of tourists who want to combine business with pleasure: get new travel experiences with health benefits. But people’s increased attention should be not only to what can be taken here and now, but also to how to protect these unique places for future generations.

Medical and health tourism, in terms of importance, can be called the main type of tourism, since it is based on concern for human health as the main value of life. Medical tourism has a rich history. In the 20th century, a whole resort industry emerged in the world, covering almost all countries and continents. On the basis of traditional climatic, balneological, and mud resorts, new forms of healing have appeared - SPA, wellness, fitness. The list of services provided by modern resort and sanatorium establishments often includes check-up programs.

European centers of medical and health tourism are widely known throughout the world.

The Czech Republic tops the list of European countries leading in the number of tourist arrivals for resort and sanatorium treatment. Every year it is visited by 50,000 people from more than 70 countries. The largest and most famous Czech health resort is. It is located in the west of the country. There are 12 springs in Karlovy Vary. The most powerful is Vrzhidlo. Diseases are mainly treated in Karlovy Vary digestive tract and metabolism. The resort of Frantiskovy Lazne is located in the western part of the Czech Republic. It is one of the oldest and largest resorts in the country and is of global importance. Diseases of the circulatory system, heart defects and diseases of the musculoskeletal system are treated at this resort. 20 km north of Karlovy Vary at an altitude of 650 m above sea level is the resort of Jáchymov. It can be considered one of the largest resorts of world importance. Thermal radioactive springs, whose water temperature reaches 28°C, have healing properties. Such sources are very rare in the world. Jáchymov is the world's first radon spa resort. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and some diseases of the nervous system are treated here.

There are more than 300 resorts in Germany, which welcome over 1 million people from Europe, the USA and Canada. The most famous resort is Baden Baden, located in the Black Forest. In Baden-Baden, they focus on restorative procedures for rehabilitation, cleansing the body, and treating diseases of the blood, respiratory tract and nervous system.

The mountain and balneological resorts of Austria and Switzerland are also the main European destinations for health tourism. Located near Vienna, the resort of Baden is famous for its sulfurous water springs, and is also considered a favorite holiday destination for the world's creative intelligentsia. Natural sulfur springs of Baden are a panacea for many diseases. They are home to the city's thermal baths, which have recently turned into a huge health complex. During long baths, sulfur penetrates the body and has a healing and healing effect, improving metabolism.

Many world famous resorts and centers are located in France.

Italy has a number of excellent balneological resorts.

Medical and health tourism is developing rapidly in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. Romania and Croatia also offer health programs at seaside and balneological resorts. Balneotherapeutic resort Naftalan, located 30 km south of Zagreb, in the small town of Ivanic Grad. It gained worldwide fame at the end of the 20th century, when rare sources of naphthalan were discovered while drilling an oil well. The healing properties of naphthalan have been known for more than 600 years. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. ointment made from naphthalan oil by the German engineer E.I. Eger and named “Naftalan” found wide application in Western European countries, America, Japan and partly in Russia. It was used primarily to treat skin diseases.

Slovakia is rich in resort areas that are world famous. Such resorts include Piestany, a balneological resort in Southwestern Slovakia. It has healing thermal springs that help cure rheumatic and nervous diseases, it is also a balneotherapy center for children over three years old.

Spain, Portugal and Greece attract tourists as seaside resorts.

Traditional places of health tourism for residents of the CIS countries remain Israel (Dead Sea resorts), Egypt and Turkey with their sea climatic resorts.

Over the past 10 years, taking into account the growing needs of vacationers and the latest trends in the development of global health tourism, this area has been developing rapidly in India and the countries of Southeast Asia (Singapore, Thailand, China, Malaysia). As a rule, wellness in newly built luxury SPA hotels and wellness centers also includes methods of oriental medicine, which are increasingly in demand among supporters of a healthy lifestyle.

China is famous for its health and healing capabilities. Thanks to sea water, mild climate, gentle sun, traditional Chinese medicine and mineral springs (there are about 2 thousand springs in total). Acupuncture, aromatherapy, mud therapy, inhalations, therapeutic baths and wraps, balneotherapy, etc. are widely used in Chinese sanatoriums. Thanks to radon springs, sciatica and rheumatism are cured, and potassium-sodium sources are used to prevent and treat diseases of the nervous system, skin and respiratory organs. Hot springs attract thousands of people seeking to improve their health and recharge with positive energy.

On the American continent, the leader in health tourism is the United States. Most North American resorts are balneological, but they are visited mainly by Americans themselves. There are also climatic resorts, but US residents prefer to receive treatment and relax in the resorts of Cuba, the Bahamas and Central America.

Cuban climate therapy has a healing effect on the body through the central nervous system, skin and respiratory tract. The country's maritime climate helps increase metabolism and treats respiratory diseases. The high mountain climate will cure tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, nervous disorders and diseases of the cardiovascular system. You can also undergo a course of treatment and prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, digestive tract and orthopedic diseases. Thalassotherapy and SPA treatments can be offered at the Thalassotherapy Center in the province of Cayo Coco. Thalassotherapy has a beneficial effect on rheumatism, hypertension, arthrosis, and effectively combats stress and fatigue. Cuba's mineral and thermal springs provide excellent healing skin diseases and arthritis.

Australia has all the natural resources for health tourism, but due to the remoteness of the Green Continent, its resort hotels, like in the USA, are focused on receiving “domestic” tourists.

In Africa, health tourism began to actively develop not only due to an increase in the number of tourists in already known recreation and health areas (for example, in Egypt) but also in Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya and South Africa.

A fairly developed resort infrastructure is also available in the CIS countries. The resorts of Crimea and Truskavets (Ukraine), Jurmala (Latvia) are also widely known in neighboring countries. However, due to the discrepancy between the level of service and high international standards, most of these resorts attract only residents of these countries.

Currently, there are about 5.5 thousand health resorts in Russia, capable of simultaneously receiving 810 thousand vacationers. No other country in the world has a resort system of this scale. Russian resorts have almost all types of medicinal mineral waters, medicinal mud and other natural medicinal factors known in the world, including those that have no analogues in the world. The sanatorium-resort network covers almost the entire country, with the exception of certain sparsely populated regions of the North and Siberia.

Russian resorts have real opportunity compete not only in the domestic but also in the international tourism market. There are the following prerequisites for this:

The price of services is much lower than in Western resorts;
- the Russian school of balneology is more advanced than the Western one;
- the level of service is gradually approaching Western standards;
- excursion programs offered by our resorts are of higher standards.

Table 1

The most popular health resorts in the world

A country	Resort	Specialization
Czech	Diseases of the digestive system, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, obesity; diseases of the musculoskeletal system; stress and disease of the nervous system, arthrosis, rehabilitation treatment, gynecological, skin diseases, hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular system
Czech	Frantiskovy Lazne	Diseases of the cardiovascular system, gynecological diseases, hypertension, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, metabolic disorders and endocrine glands
Austria	Baden	Rheumatic diseases, degenerative diseases spine and joints, arthrosis, rehabilitation treatment, general recovery, health training
Austria	Bad Ischl	Diseases of the respiratory tract, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, diseases urinary tract and digestion
Germany	Baden Baden	Restorative procedures for rehabilitation, cleansing the body, treatment of diseases of the blood, respiratory tract and nervous system
Slovakia	Piestany	Arthritis, rheumatism, Bechterov's disease, arthrosis, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, restorative procedures for the rehabilitation of the body, obesity
Hungary	Szechenyi Baths	Rheumatic, gynecological, skin diseases, as well as problems of the musculoskeletal system
Italy	Montecatini Terme	Dysfunction of the stomach, liver, kidneys and intestines, metabolic diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the upper respiratory tract
China	Weihai	Osteochondrosis and joint diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes mellitus, skin and gynecological diseases
Cuba	Santiago de Cuba	Rheumatism, allergies, skin diseases, respiratory tract treatment
Tunisia	Tabarka	Lung diseases, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, diseases of the oral mucosa and tongue, rheumatological diseases, stress
Tunisia	Monastir	Cardiovascular diseases, treatment of rheumatism, treatment of arthrosis, pain (back, neck, joints, etc.), overweight, treatment of stress and depression
Greece	Loutraki	Liver diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, paralysis, recovery from injuries, chronic pyelonephritis and cystitis
Greece	Thessaloniki	Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the respiratory tract, diseases of the digestive system, diseases of the joints and bones, rheumatism, sciatica, sciatica, gynecological diseases, hepatitis and cholecystitis, excess weight and cellulite
India	Kerala	Ridding the body of toxins, detoxification, strengthening the immune system, preventing various types of diseases

The resorts reviewed cover wide range diseases. The specialization of resorts depends on their location. For example, many resorts are located near mineral springs, which help with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidney diseases and Bladder. Some resorts specialize in the use of therapeutic mud, which helps to cope with many skin diseases.

In each country, medical and health tourism developed taking into account the availability of natural resources and socio-economic conditions. At the same time, there is a trend in the world towards realizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Caring for health and increasing vital activity has become an integral part of the modern value system. There is a growing number of people seeking to maintain good physical fitness along with spiritual enrichment.

If in the old days many tourists went abroad solely for the sake of relaxation and sightseeing, today taking care of their health is also relevant on such trips. This is why medical tourism in Europe is gaining momentum.

The main goal of health tours is the treatment of one or another pathology, as well as its prevention. The branch of medicine that studies medical tourism is called balneology. Taking this into account, European medical tourism can be divided according to the types of resorts.

Balneological. The main healing factor is mineral waters.
Climatic. For treatment, the peculiarities of climate, temperature and air are used, which have certain beneficial properties:
— mountain, because rarefied air is useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, tuberculosis.
— seaside, the main healing factor of which is sea air, useful for bronchopulmonary pathology and for general strengthening of the body.
— desert, where water evaporates from the body, are useful for kidney diseases.
Mud resorts are recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The properties of mud are not lost even during transportation.
Combined(universal) – include a combination of several therapeutic factors.

Medical tourism is most popular in Europe. The local clinics and sanatoriums have long established themselves as the best. Qualified experienced specialists, excellent environmental conditions, the latest modern equipment contribute to the fact that health tours are so in demand here. Popular places for medical tourism in Europe include the foothills of the Alps (Austria, Germany, Vichy France, Northern Italy), the western part of the Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary), Hungary, the Dead Sea of Israel...

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European resorts for medical tourism

Austria

In addition to mountain lakes, picturesque peaks and a mild climate, the country is known for its well-developed healthcare system. Here are medical and health resorts with mineral salt- and iodine-containing, radon and sulfur waters, which are used for treatment various pathologies using balneotherapy. The most famous Austrian resorts are Bad Gastein, Bad Blumau, Bad Ischl, Laa an der Thaya, Loipersdorf.

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Germany

Picturesque and ecologically clean places, thermal springs, healing mud and mineral waters attract people from many parts of the world to Germany. Baden-Baden can be called the Mecca of European medical tourism. Local springs are rich in microelements (zinc, cobalt, copper) and minerals (magnesium, cesium, manganese, lithium, etc.). Other resorts in Germany include Scheidegg, Bad Fussing, Bad Tölz, and Hindeland.

France

Some of the most expensive medical resorts in Europe are French. They are distinguished by their special sophistication and high service. France is famous for its thalassotherapy centers and mineral water springs. The country's most famous resort is Vichy, which has 15 mineral springs. Water from them is indicated for people with metabolic disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, digestive organs, depression, and fatigue.

Italy

Italy is rich in lakes and surrounded by four seas, making it the founder of thalassotherapy and the SPA industry. Picturesque landscapes and a wonderful climate have a beneficial effect on restoring psychological comfort among vacationers, which is very important for effective recovery. In the north of Italy there are large private clinics known for their innovative diagnostic techniques. The most famous resorts in the country are Abano Montegrotto and Abano Terme.

Czech

The Czech Republic is rightly called the state of mineral healing springs. known throughout the world, because they can be successfully treated gynecological pathology, metabolic disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and digestive organs. Therapeutic mud and peat are also used. However, medical tours to the Czech Republic are not limited to this resort. For those who want to improve their health, we can recommend Trzebon, Teplice.

Hungary

Hungary is famous big amount thermal springs and excellent infrastructure. Famous baths are Harkany, Lake Heviz, Miskolc-Tapolca, Budapest, Debrecen.

Recently, tourism for health purposes has become very popular. This may be due to the attention you pay to your body, or perhaps to the frequent unforeseen occurrence of various diseases. The maximum number of balneological, mineral and thermal resorts is concentrated in Europe, which help get rid of the manifestations of diseases of absolutely any body system.

All of them have their contraindications, so before you go on such a trip, health resorts Europe, it is worth knowing your diagnosis accurately. It is also worth knowing that some of them are approved for the prevention of various diseases. It is especially important for children to take balneological and thermal baths to strengthen their immune system.

Medical resorts in France

Medical resorts in France can be classified as one of the most expensive resorts in all of Europe. At the same time, the organizers offer visitors high-quality service and a variety of services. Here the emphasis is on the unparalleled oceanic climate and sea water, rich in mineral components. For the most demanding tourist, there is an elite treatment center with thermal baths in the city of Biarritz. It is located in the south of the country, right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The resorts of this city offer wellness treatments for nervous system disorders (stress, insomnia, anxiety), and improve immunity. Such balneological resorts help with problems with joints and the spine. Here you will be offered the following procedures:

The thermal resort of Languedoc is famous throughout Europe. Here is the largest number of springs with mineral water and thermal baths. This resort in Europe is located in the south of the country, so it is always warm and sunny here. His specialization is the treatment of dermatological and rheumatic systems. They are also effective in treating the respiratory tract.

Resorts in a city in Europe such as Aquitaine are recommended for neurological disorders and gynecological diseases. The Salies-de-Béarn resort, located in this city, specializes in the treatment of children who are lagging behind in their development. The region called Rhône-Alpes is located at the very foot of the French Alps. Its main thermal springs are located on the territory of a mountain village. The main specialization of these resorts is the treatment of respiratory tract and rheumatology.

Medical resorts in Italy

Since a European country like Italy has a fairly warm climate, thermal springs are open to tourists all year round. One of the most famous resorts in all of Europe is the resort of Terme di Sirmione. The water temperature in it reaches 70 degrees. Its sources help get rid of such problems:

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
Rheumatism;
Respiratory diseases;
Gynecology;
Hearing impairment.

Located in Lazio thermal source Fuji. He is famous throughout Europe and even beyond. Its mineral waters help get rid of infections genitourinary system. Many doctors recommend drinking this water before and after surgery to remove kidney stones. This drink will become an indispensable prevention of cystitis, prostatitis, and nephrosis. The water of this resort is actively sold in supermarkets in the country and in some stores in Europe. But to achieve maximum effect However, it is required to undergo the entire complex of treatment at this resort.

Check out other hospitals in Italy:

Terme Lucane - asthma, rhinitis, deafness, tracheitis, arthritis, gastrointestinal diseases, liver failure, constipation.
Terme di Stigliano - dermatitis, gout, hearing diseases.

Montecatini Terme - metabolic disorders, problems in the gastrointestinal tract and vascular system.

Health resorts in Hungary

Hungary is considered the leader in the number of healing springs in all of Europe. There are about 130 springs in the capital Budapest, which welcome millions of tourists every year. All of them have a natural purification system, so the source is completely regenerated within 24 hours. All balneological and thermal spas This country specializes in the following diseases:

Hormonal disorders;
Obesity;
Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract;
Chronic inflammatory processes;
Arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism;
Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system and spine;
Gynecological diseases;
Infertility;
The process of recovery after injuries and operations.

When choosing one of the places of recreation and recovery, you should take into account some contraindications of thermal baths in Hungary:

Among the best of them it is worth noting Budapest, Heviz, Sárvár, Topolca. The latter is located in unique caves that are surrounded by a wide, massive forest. Inside these caves there are separate rooms with thermal baths of different temperature conditions. A tourist can enter a room whose ceiling is equipped like a bright starry sky. Lake Heviz is natural and natural source. The water temperature in it reaches up to 40 degrees at any time of the year. The water of this lake is maximally saturated with radon and carbon dioxide. All these conditions help to quickly get rid of problems with the spine and joints.

Spa resorts in Austria

Austria has recently gained popularity due to medical tourism. One of the largest thermal complexes in Austria is located in Vienna - the Oberlaa thermal pool. This complex has waters of different temperatures with hydrogen sulfide composition. Also on site you will find a large number of saunas, which can relieve both physical and emotional stress.
The thermal waters of a resort such as Laa an der Thaya in Europe are rich in great content they contain iodine. People from all over Europe come here to solve their problems with skin, cardiovascular system, neuroses. There are special medical departments on the territory where you will be provided with any assistance and given some recommendations regarding your illness. Doctors will also help you choose the right course of healing and use of thermal baths. The resort has numerous open springs, indoor pools, massage rooms, saunas and baths. For the little ones there is a special area where there is a large selection of slides and various attractions, as well as a children's pool with instructors.

The resort of Bad Geinberg is the youngest in the country and in Europe. Located in the town of Geinberg, Austria. The pools and other mineral springs presented here reach temperatures of up to 95 degrees. They are rich in minerals such as hydrogen sulfide, boron and silicon. These waters have a beneficial preventive effect on the body as a whole, and also help get rid of problems such as eczema, dermatitis, arthritis, joint pain, and spinal diseases. Also provides positive impact on the gastrointestinal tract system, removes toxins.