Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2011 , Vol 14 (Supplement)
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BALNEOTHERAPY IN PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
Sema ÖNCEL
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, İZMİR Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Current treatment of osteoarthritis includes nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic modalities. Balneotherapy (or spa therapy) for patients with osteoarthritis is one of the oldest forms of nonpharmacologic therapy. Balneotherapy methods include mineral baths, mud therapy, hydropinotherapy and inhalation therapy. In this review the effectiveness of balneotherapy in prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis is presented in the light of current knowledge. Keywords : Osteoarthritis, Balneotherapy, Therapy, Mud