Holistic Health

Here’s How Water and Soil Therapies Heal Us

Why and how to benefit from Hydrotherapy, Balneotherapy, Pelotherapy, Geotherapy, Thalassotherapy, and Kneipping

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May Passion and Excitement for Water and Soil

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by and attracted to water and soil, which connects my lower self with my higher self physically and mentally. Walking in the rain, jumping in mud, diving into the ocean, and rolling on snow excited me. I still do them joyfully in my old age.

At a mature age, I regularly feel the magical sensation of water and soil by practicing cold showers, hot baths, ice baths, mudbaths, swimming, and barefoot walking. Minerals in water and soil energize me. Earthing relaxes me. Thermogenesis clears my cells and optimizes my hormones.

Although I was considered eccentric in this sense, living in the Southern Hemisphere and traveling to more than 50 countries validated that there was nothing wrong with my intense fascination with water and soil, especially from holistic health and overall wellness perspectives.

Humans, animals, and plants evolved with water and soil. Living organisms have adapted to their environments throughout evolution to survive and thrive. The use of water and soil optimized this adaptation. Why should we not use them as healing agents?

Coming from a science and technology background, I adore evidence-based modern medicine, ideal for acute cases and emergencies. However, I also embrace centuries of ancient wisdom to help us heal naturally. Joining modern and traditional therapies can be synergistic to address psychosomatic (body/mind) disorders.

In this post, I introduce six water and soil-based therapies using credible sources and my decades of experience. As these therapies are comprehensive and have been used for centuries, I only provide a high-level overview and relevant links for those interested in exploring details.

My goal is to create awareness and inspire my readers to alternative healing mechanisms which can be customized with support from qualified healthcare professionals serving in modern and natural medicine.

1 — Hydrotherapy (Aquatic Therapy)

Hydrotherapy uses water to treat health conditions. It includes different forms of water-based treatments, such as immersing the body in water, applying water to the body in various ways (hot/cold compresses, sprays, or jets), and exercising in water.

Healthcare professionals like physiotherapists can administer group hydrotherapy in health centers. They can also be used at home with the guidance of a healthcare provider if patients have large baths or pools.

Physiotherapists use hydrotherapy as a therapeutic modality to treat various conditions and injuries. The key points are musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, especially for post-operative rehabilitation.

Some examples of hydrotherapy include aquatic exercise, whirlpool baths, and watsu with gentle stretching and massage in warm water to improve mobility, reduce pain, and boost relaxation.

The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy cover physical, thermal, and hydrodynamic properties related to buoyancy, temperature, and hydrostatic pressure.

They are based on theories like stimulating muscle and nerve fibers in the skin can reduce the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The release of endorphins (natural painkillers) can be stimulated by the thermal properties of water used in hydrotherapy.

I want to summarize the findings of a review paper published in the North American Journal of Medical Science in 2014.

The paper informed us that using water for various treatments (hydrotherapy) is probably as old as mankind. Hydrotherapy is one of the basic methods of treatment widely used in natural medicine.

The authors reviewed many articles from Pubmed and stated, “Based on the available literature, this review suggests that hydrotherapy has a scientific evidence-based effect on various systems of the body.” The paper includes 100 citations.

2 — Balneotherapy

Balneotherapy is a therapeutic modality using natural mineral water and mud to treat various health conditions. The Latin term “balneum” means bath. It has a long history of use in many parts of the world.

Balneotherapy emerged as a treatment method in the 1800s. It started in Europe and was used widely in the United States and other countries.

Examples of unique and special places for balneotherapy are the Dead Sea in Israel, the Kangal hot spring in Turkey, , and the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. [Source]. I tried all and also enjoyed Peninsula Hot Springs in Australia.

Balneotherapy can be practiced using hot springs, mud baths, and saltwater baths from the sea. It can be administered via immersion baths in water or mud, general hydrotherapy, and inhaling vapors or aerosols from mineral water.

The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of balneotherapy are the physical properties of the water or minerals (temperature, pressure, and buoyancy), the chemical properties of minerals, and their psychological effects in reducing stress and anxiety.

Balneotherapy might improve musculoskeletal, neurological, dermatological, and respiratory conditions. I experienced these effects after doing mud baths for years. Bathing in muddy water with a high salt concentration is effective and enjoyable for healing and recovery.

This 2018 review paper published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences investigated hormetic stress for the immune system. The paper informed that:

“Balneotherapy is a clinically effective complementary approach in treating low-grade inflammation- and stress-related pathologies. The biological mechanisms by which immersion in mineral-medicinal water and the application of mud alleviate symptoms of several pathologies are still not completely understood.

But it is known that neuroendocrine and immunological responses to balneotherapy are involved in these mechanisms of effectiveness, leading to anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, chondroprotective, and anabolic effects together with neuroendocrine-immune regulation in different conditions.”

This paper titled Balneotherapy in Dermatology informs that “the major importance of balneotherapy and spa therapy lies in their potential effectiveness after standard medical treatments have failed to comfort patients. They probably incorporate chemical, thermal, mechanical, and immunomodulatory effects.”

3 — Pelotherapy

Pelotherapy (mud therapy) uses mud, clay, or peat to treat various health conditions. It is based on the principle that mud’s natural properties can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost healing.

The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of mud therapy include the mineral content of mud, its thermal properties, absorption, clearing of toxins and impurities from the skin, and promotion of detoxification.

Mud therapy is a traditional treatment in Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine. Practitioners use mud therapy to treat joint pain, skin disorders, and digestive issues. They are now used in modern spas and wellness centers across the globe.

As informed in this resource, “While there are many different types of therapy in Ayurveda, one class of therapy is naturopathic therapy involving the five elements. Mud therapy (mṛttikā cikitsā) is one of these five-element therapies corresponding to the element Earth (bhūmi or pṛthvī).”

This paper states, "Peloids have been used as heat-providing healing systems since ancient times. Currently, peloid therapy is used in health resort medicine as both balneotherapy and thalassotherapy.”

The paper informs that “the peloids of the medical spas studied are used as thermotherapeutic agents in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in knee osteoarthritis and to a lesser extent in back pain and psoriatic arthropathy.

The clinical experience in these centers shows that the main effects of the application of their peloids are the reduction of pain, an increase in the joint’s functional capacity, and an improvement in the quality of life.

As thermotherapeutic agents, all the peloids of the medical spas studied and the pastes examined showed a heat flow rate up to four times lower than that of the same amount of water. The raw materials studied can be used as solid phases to prepare peloids with mineral waters.”

I enjoyed heated mud baths in Europe during my travels. They increased blood flow and induced relaxation. I also used mud packs and mud wraps, providing mineral absorption and detoxification to the skin when I had skin issues in my younger years.

4 — Thalassotherapy

Thalassotherapy is a type of climatotherapy that uses seawater to facilitate healing and well-being. Seawater contains minerals and trace elements that can be absorbed through the skin and provide therapeutic benefits.

The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of thalassotherapy include mineral content (magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, iodine), osmosis (clearing toxins and impurities), and inhalation of the sea mist to improve respiratory conditions.

Thalassotherapy is derived from the Greek word Thalassa. It means sea. Some examples of thalassotherapy include sea baths, sea mud wraps, and exfoliating with sea salt scrubs.

Thalassotherapy is practiced globally. These treatments are popular in France, Greece, Japan, and Thailand coastal regions.

There are many scientific papers on thalassotherapy. This 2019 systematic review summarized all published articles on thalassotherapy and thermal medicine subjects in the Web of Science Core Collection.

This 2011 paper concludes, "Climatotherapy at the Dead Sea induces significant changes in vitamin D, associated with reduced musculoskeletal pain and disease severity.”

This 2013 paper informs that “Dead Sea climatotherapy significantly influences the quality of life of patients with ‘psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis.”

This 2005 paper in Rheumatology concluded that “a combination of thalassotherapy, exercise, and patient education may temporarily improve fibromyalgia symptoms and health-related quality of life.”

I have been to the Dead Sea (known as the lowest point on earth) several times for vacations and enjoyed the atmosphere and therapeutic effects of the environment.

5 — Geotherapy

Geotherapy is a form of alternative medicine that utilizes the natural materials of the earth for therapeutic purposes. Some examples of geotherapy are mud baths, clay masks, hot/cold stone therapy, and barefoot walking on sand or soft soil, making earthing effects.

According to anthropological studies, the use of soil and earth-based treatments for healing has been practiced in some cultures throughout history, and modern geotherapy has been influenced by traditional practices worldwide.

For example, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, soil and stones balance the body’s energy. The Navajo used clay for wound healing. The Hopi used clay for treating digestive issues and skin conditions. Indians used clay for detoxification. African tribes used clay for treating diarrhoea and stomach problems.

Culturally, geotherapy has significantly impacted the development of natural and holistic therapies in regions where traditional practices have been incorporated into modern geotherapy treatments.

The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of geotherapy include the minerals and trace elements in soil having therapeutic effects when applied to the body. Soil-based materials may increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and nourish the skin.

Another mechanism of geotherapy involves the use of negative ions. Sand, soil, or earthing treatments can generate negative ions, which can improve mood, reduce stress, and boost the immune system. Therefore I love barefoot walking.

Nowadays, practitioners use geotherapy to treat skin conditions, arthritis, and muscle tension. Geotherapy might have therapeutic effects on skin health, reducing inflammation and facilitating relaxation.

A 2019 study investigated geotherapy (using poultices made from earth materials such as clay or mud) for patients with osteoarthritis. This subject is still under debate, as the effect of the earth's material remains unclear.

This was a clinical randomized single-blinded prospective study in which 48 individuals participated. Volunteers were evaluated for pain perception and pressure pain tolerance thresholds and responded to questionnaires about pain, joint stiffness, symptoms, and disability.

Patients also had 15 twice-weekly sessions of kinesiotherapy consisting of stretching and strengthening exercises for lower limbs.

The study concluded that the interventions effectively reduced pain, joint stiffness, and physical disability, but kinesiotherapy produced significantly better results in pain perception.

6 — Kneipp Therapy — (Kneipping)

I left this to the end as it is more of a medical therapy but also can be used individually at home. Kneipp therapy combines therapy of water, exercise, nutrition, medicinal herbs, and order of life to improve health and well-being.

So the combined effects of these elements might reduce stress and inflammation and stimulate the immune system.

According to this article by UNESCO, “The Kneipp therapy (Kneipping) is a traditional curative method that promotes the prevention of illness and the preservation of health. It stimulates circulation, strengthens the immune system, and improves the vegetative nervous system.”

The therapy is named after Sebastian Kneipp, a Bavarian priest who developed the therapy based on his own experiences with water treatments.

“Sebastian Kneipp is a vital link between the European nature cure movement of the 19th century and American naturopathy.” [Source]

Around 160 reports are indexed in PubMed about Keneipp therapy starting from the 1950s, and most are old resources and unavailable online.

I found a 2022 comprehensive review paper in Springer that provides an excellent historical and futuristic perspective of Kneipp therapy. However, it is in German.

Therefore, I will summarize it here to give you an idea. If you are interested in details, you may use Google Translate. Here are the key points of the German paper:

"Kneipp therapy has been proven in self-treatment at home. However, as a holistic therapy concept, it is also used in many medical practices to prevent and treat functional disorders and organic diseases and ailments.

While Kneipp therapy was considered well-researched in the 1980s and 90s, today’s evidence-based medicine perspective requires significantly more clinical studies to use it for patients.

There is a considerable need for research in kneippian hydrotherapy. For example, it remains unclear how long a water treatment should be applied for various diseases to be effective and how often the applications must be continued to achieve success.

Regarding kneippian hydrotherapy, many studies indicate positive treatment effects in various diseases. These findings justify the demand for further, publicly funded, high-quality studies that meet the standards required by evidence-based medicine.

Kneipp therapy is based on scientific and holistic health principles. Future studies that are carefully planned to avoid bias in the study results are needed. Conducting a study to investigate the interaction of the five Kneippian elements to support post-COVID patients is urgently needed.”

Conclusions

As I discussed in this article, numerous natural therapies use water and soil to prevent diseases, treat conditions, and improve wellness. Some people combine them and reap the benefits of relaxation and improved sleep.

Even though water and soil-based therapies have been used for centuries by many cultures and they are introduced to modern clinics, they might not suit everyone for various reasons.

Therefore, if you plan to use such therapies, discussing your needs, conditions, and plans with qualified healthcare professionals is crucial.

Caution: Before trying the following options, please ensure you don’t have allergies to certain minerals in water and soil.

If you have underlying health conditions like thyroid disorders, allergies, heart disease, or high blood pressure, always discuss them with qualified healthcare professionals before trying the following natural therapies.

Takeaways

1 — Join an aqua center offering hydrotherapy services, hot spas, and floating tanks for sensory deprivation, or use a hot bath with Epsom salts at home.

2 — Visit a natural hot spring or mineral bath during vacations to experience the benefits of balneotherapy.

3 — Join a health center offering mud masks or clay poultices for skincare and skin improvements.

4 — Take a barefoot walk on beach sand or well-maintained grass to experience the benefits of geotherapy.

5 — If you like swimming, try a dip in the ocean or a saltwater pool to experience the benefits of thalassotherapy.

6 — Try Kneipp therapy techniques in accredited centers, such as cold or hot water foot or arm baths.

7 — Always listen to your body. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, itchy, irritated, or uncomfortable, stop these therapies and request support from qualified healthcare professionals.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

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