BALNEOTHERAPY AND HORMESIS FOR OSTEOARTRITIS PAIN HEALING

Abstract Balneotherapy is an ancient therapy that is still popular today. Thermal mineral water is used for this therapy. Some positive effects of mineral baths on human health have been demonstrated. These positive effects are probably due to the combined mechanical, thermal and chemical effects of mineral water and mud. The combination of balneotherapy and physiotherapy was more effective in improving pain, physical function and walking speed in advanced knee osteoarthritis than physiotherapy alone. Hormesis is a type of cellular response to the low dose of toxin and is considered an adaptive compensatory process after an initial disturbance of homeostasis. There are several factors that can be considered hormetins, e.g. heat and thermal water. This mini-review summarizes the improvements in the treatment of osteoarthritis by balneotherapy and hormesis.