Health Benefits of the Dead Sea, Israel

Sufferers of arthritis, rheumatism, respiratory problems, and coronary ailments rejoice!

The Dead Sea has fast become one of the world’s leading centers of healthy living. Many people come from far and wide just to spend a few days revitalizing bodies hit with all kinds of health issues. Here’s a quick guide of the treatments available and to what you can experience at the Dead Sea, Israel, if your body is feeling a little the worse for wear. More to come on the health benefits of the Dead Sea…

Balneotherapy and Thalassotherapy used to treat arthritic and rheumatic conditions

Twenty-one different minerals, twelve of which are found in no other sea or ocean in the world, are found in the waters of the Dead Sea, making this an incredible environment for various rheumatic treatments. Thalassotherapy and balneotherapy are treatments during which patients bathe in the Dead Sea region’s mineral spring waters. These therapies, in combination with the dry air and consistent high temperatures, provide temporary relief of arthritic pain. Pelotherapy, a therapeutic mud application, contributes to pain relief as well. Physical and massage therapy is used in combination in appropriate cases.

Climatotherapy used to treat respiratory conditions without the need for artificial devices

Symptoms of asthma, cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases can be alleviated thanks largely to the higher oxygen content, higher barometric pressure, low humidity and very low content of pollens and other allergens in the atmosphere. Visits from between one and three weeks have been scientifically proven to improve the arterial oxygenation levels, exercise performance and sleep oxymetry of patients, without the use of artificial equipment.

Climatotherapy and Heliotherapy used to treat coronary function, hypertension and depression

Seasonal affective disorder generally affects individuals who live in northern climates where daylight gets shorter in the winter. Conventional hospital treatment is phototherapy. In the Dead Sea region,  the sun shines an average of 330 days annually, providing sufferers with exposure to natural light while allowing them to enjoy a relaxing vacation.

A study conducted by the Cardiac Institute of Benei Zion Hospital in Hafia concluded that it was safe and beneficial for patients suffering from impaired coronary function to visit the Dead Sea, Israel region, located 400 feet below sea level. According to the study, both heart performance and oxygen saturation levels improved in all patients. A further study on two groups of patients who were candidates for open heart surgery was conducted. One group of patients spent three weeks before surgery in the Dead Sea region, while the second group spent the three weeks prior to surgery at sea level. After surgery it was found that the group who had spent the pre-surgery time below sea level had no change in heart-rate whereas the group who had spent the pre-surgery time at sea level showed certain signs of impaired heart function. The recovery of patients who had undergone bypass surgery was positively influenced by their stay in the Dead Sea as well.

The mud of the Dead Sea is recognized as a good stimulant of blood circulation. A large group of 72 hypertensive arthritic patients was observed during treatment in the Dead Sea region and these patients showed a slight lowering of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure rates. There were no adverse responses noted in response to the balneotherapy for their arthritis.