In many regions of Turkey, there are spas and thermal facilities with different minerals and values. The facilities, which serve 12 months of the year, welcome a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, especially in the winter period. Thermal facilities, which demand increased in this period, play an important role in health tourism. Thermal water is used as a supplement in the treatment of many ailments.
“WE DEFINITELY RECOMMEND”
From Balikesir University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Dr. Faculty Member Serdar Demirci warned those who will go to thermal spas and pools. Noting that swimming and exercise activities should be avoided at water temperatures above 36 degrees, Dr. Demirci said, “We definitely do not recommend it to pregnant women, cancer patients, those who have an inflammatory disease and those who are in exacerbation period, those with active infections, and those with open wounds.”
rheumatic diseases come first
Demirci stated that those who prefer thermal spas most in the field of health are rheumatic patients, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal patients such as fibromyalgia and muscle spasms.
AT LEAST 3 WEEKS FOR TREATMENT
Noting that the thermal facilities that are visited for treatment should be used for at least 3 weeks, Dr. Demirci said, “Because the first week is the adaptation process. During this period, symptoms may increase. People may experience fatigue and tiredness. In the next process, the person can adapt and benefit from the effects of the thermal facility.”
Stating that the temperature of the entered pool water is also important, Dr. Demirci said that in waters above 36-38 degrees thermal and hyperthermal, that is, above 40 degrees, the practices that are usually done by immersing the body are correct. Emphasizing that they do not recommend activities such as exercise or swimming in pools at this temperature, Dr. Demirci said, “Because it has some side effects. If you are going to do activities such as exercise or swimming, we generally recommend waters with a temperature of 28-32 degrees, which we call hypothermal.”
ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO HAVE THESE DISEASES
Saying that people who will go to thermal facilities should definitely consult their doctor, Dr. Serdar Demirci stated that people with certain diseases may experience side effects. Noting that there should be a health team such as a doctor, physiotherapist, nutrition and dietetics specialist in the facilities that are visited for treatment purposes, Dr. Demirci warned that thermal waters have side effects in pregnant women, cancer patients, patients with uncontrolled hypertension, and some cardiovascular and neurological diseases.