An Experience of the "Thermalstollenkur" in Böckstein-Badgastein, Austria

The balneotherapeutic tunnel of Radha usberg is located in Badgastein 1280 meter above the sea level and was instituted to offer a new and unique thermal therapy in 1954. The ther mal therapy is performed for a period of 8 months from February to October seasonally on patients of more than 35,000 from all over the world. The information given by chief Dr. Beate Sandri is summarized as follows; There are 3 cooperative acting factors such as the heat inside the tunnel of 37.5-41.5℃, high humidity and high content of Radon. They stimulate a pituitary - adrenocortical system enough to sedate the vicious circle of pain pathology and to improve a peripheral tissue perfusion. This balneotherapy is completed preferably in combination with massage and exercise, and is repeated in each season with patience. The indications are as follows; 1. chronic rheumatic arthritis, 2. degenerative arthrosis, 3. collagen diseases, 4. gout, 5. peripheral vascular diseases, 6. posttraumatic disorders, 7. central and peripheral nerve disorders, 8. allergic diseases, 9. hormonal and autonomic nerve disorders. Cure effect is evaluated by the improvement of subjective symptoms such as relief from pain, extension of the range of movement, increase of daily activities and so on, regardless of the pathology of each joint. The balneotherapy aims to stimulate patients' own abilities, so that the potential curability of the patients is set forth as a premise; so called end stage patients are beyond the remedy as Prof. Scheminzky insists