Sanarium® to Stanger Bath
Sanarium®
The Sanarium® is a milder version of the classic Finnish sauna. Its lower temperature of around 60 °C and relative humidity of just 50% place less strain on the circulatory system, allowing sessions to last up to 30 minutes. Color-light therapy is often used alongside the Sanarium®.
Sauna
Probably the oldest and most widespread of all wellness treatments in Germany, the sauna is part of everyday culture in its country of origin, Finland, as well as in Sweden and northern Russia. It is simply a “room made of wood” for sweating. After showering, the body is exposed to temperatures of up to 95 °C for around 8 to 15 minutes. The subsequent cooling phase may end with an ice-cold bath. The actual sauna effect develops during the final rest period.
Heavy sweating causes the loss of water and minerals, which must be replenished. Combining hydrotherapy and thermotherapy, sauna bathing is one of the recognized and well-established naturopathic treatments. Detoxification, lower blood pressure and relaxation are the main benefits of sauna bathing. However, older people and those who are not physically fit should consult their doctor before using a sauna.
Schroth Cure
This cure was developed in the mid-19th century by carter Johann Schroth as a natural method of therapeutic fasting. It is intended to activate the body’s self-healing powers. The Schroth Cure is a 3- to 4-week program combining therapeutic fasting with the external application of moist heat.
A monotonous, bland diet consisting of foods such as semolina, rice and oats, along with dry bread rolls, is intended to help the digestive system regenerate. Dry days alternate with drinking days, when wine is usually prescribed. Warm, moist wraps are intended to detoxify the body through the skin.
The Schroth Cure is viewed with skepticism by nutritional scientists. A course lasting several weeks is not recommended, since the restricted fluid intake—even during fasting—runs counter to modern understanding and may lead to deficiencies in minerals, protein and vitamins.
Shiatsu
This Japanese form of acupressure was developed in the early 20th century and recognized as a therapy by the Japanese government in 1964. Like acupuncture and acupressure, Shiatsu is based on the theory of the body’s meridians, which can be stimulated by pressure to influence the harmony of the internal organs and the flow of energy through the body. Rather than using massage, the practitioner applies pressure with their hands, thumbs, elbows and body weight while the patient lies down, pressing each point for between five seconds and two minutes. Shiatsu is used mainly for prevention, but also to treat back and head pain, digestive problems and cardiovascular disorders.
Despite its great popularity, the method is controversial among experts; some applications, such as pressure on the thyroid gland, are considered dangerous. Its relaxing effect, however, is undisputed.
Stanger Bath
The Stanger bath is a hydroelectric full-body bath used in physiotherapy. The patient lies in a tub through which a low-level direct current, measured in milliamps, passes through the water. By dilating the blood vessels, it produces pain-relieving effects through the stimulation and suppression of pain receptors. The water temperature and current dosage are determined individually. The treatment and the subsequent rest period each last around 20 minutes. Stanger bath treatment must not be used for people with cardiovascular or lung disease.
Photo: pixelio.de, Sanarium® is a registered trademark of Klafs GmbH
