What determines the quality of spa treatment?

• Curative plan

The curative plan is the most important parameter of the treatment quality. It should always contain an entry and exit examination by a specialist. Continuous examinations are also common. Based on the entry examination and the information the patient brings with him/her regarding his/her health issues, the physician determines a specific curative plan. It should contain 2–3 procedures a day (fewer procedures are prescribed by a physician in case of serious conditions, but sometimes it shows an insufficient capacity of the facility, as more can be too much of a burden for your body), including 3 applications of a natural curative source per week. Therapy is typically applied 6, or less commonly, 7 days a week.

• Expert knowledge of the health care personnel

A good-quality facility should have a sufficient number of permanent physicians qualified in spa medicine, qualified head and ward nurses, one masseur per 50 patients and at least one physiotherapist per 100 patients. The balneology units should be staffed by trained spa personnel and other qualified staff.

• Number of patients for one physician

To allow a physician to fully concentrate on the preparation of your curative plan and your treatment, he/she must not be overwhelmed with too many patients. 60 - 80 patients per one physician is considered an optimal amount.

• Expert medical supervision

A medical facility must have non-stop medical supervision - night nurses.

• Equipment of a balneology facility with natural sources

A balneology facility must have a natural spring source in the facility. You do not have to travel to a spa for baths in normal, or even treated water.

• Laboratory options

A medical facility should have its own laboratory, or a sample room equipped for taking all types of samples and processing the basic examinations. It should be able to ensure further specialised examinations by an accredited laboratory.

• Diet composition

Due to the illnesses treated in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), each facility should be able to offer a selection of at least three meals for each of the following diets: 2 – bland, 3 – rational, 4 – bland with reduced fat, 7 - low cholesterol, 8 - reduction, 9 - diabetes with various grams of carbs.

• Language skills of personnel

It is necessary that physicians can communicate with patients in English, German, and Russian. Similar language skills are also expected from health care and other personnel.

• Pool

For the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, it is crucial that a medical facility has its own pool.

• Sports and relaxation facilities

An essential complement to the treatment is to provide options for leisure time outside of the treatment. Each facility should be able to offer sport and other alternatives. Of course, it is very desirable for the facility to offer its own leisure facilities.

• Certification of medical activities

Each facility which offers treatment must possess a state licence to practise medical activities. One of the conditions for issuing this license is, besides others, to employ a physician with the appropriate experience - a full-time expert guarantor.

• Additional physician services

The existing spa facilities also offer physician services above the framework of the treatment itself as a standard. The services can include, for example, basic diagnostic examinations (ECG, sonography, ergometry, etc.) or other physician services, such as neurology, dermatology, applied acupuncture, contractually based services such as plastic surgery, dentistry, gynaecology, etc.
 

8 reasons for a spa treatment in Karlovy Vary
Anybody who seriously considers using spa services should first realise that spa services are medical procedures combining natural medicine with the latest medical methods. The comprehensive effect of various factors on a human body is best proved by the results being achieved for many years. Effects similar to those of a spa stay in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) cannot be achieved by regular attendance of various therapeutic procedures, massages, etc.

1. Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) Indications

Comprehensive Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) treatment is designed for patients suffering mainly from these conditions:

• Digestive system diseases - ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum, intestinal problems, conditions after surgery of intestines, stomach, gallbladder, chronic diseases of liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestines.
• Metabolic diseases - diabetes, obesity, fat metabolism malfunctions, gout
• Musculoskeletal diseases - degenerative illnesses of the spine and large joints 
• Oncological diseases - cancer of the stomach, colon, rectosigmoid, rectum, anus, breast (after completion of a complex antitumor treatment without clinical signs of activity)
• Nervous diseases - polyneuropathy, Radiculopathies with irritation syndrome, Central nervous system inflammation, Remission of multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular diseases, Syringomyelia, Poliomyelitis, Parkinson disease

Combining natural medicine (drinking cure, baths, inhalations, etc.) with the best balneology procedures brings better results than the classical medicine alternative during the treatment of many chronic diseases in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), as has been proved by many expert studies, and also by the reputation of the Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) Spa worldwide.

2. Thermal springs
Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) has unique natural conditions for balneology in the form of many curative springs rising at a geological fault from a depth of 2500 m. The Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) warm springs have a temperature between 30 and 72°C. Twelve of them have already been used for curative purposes for centuries.

3. Other natural curative sources
Other natural curative sources are mineral waters, gases, bogs, peat, and mud (globally called peloids). Our medical facilities use peloids for wraps and also for baths with peloids infusion. They stimulate the thermoregulatory mechanisms of a body, improve the sensitivity of cells to oxygen and other active substances, have beneficial immunology and analgesic effects and help to soften ligaments. The treatment is also completed with aqua therapy, reflex and underwater massages, and other physical therapy from artificial sources - warmth, light, sound, electrotherapy, and others.

4. Other therapeutic procedures

With the increasing knowledge of medicine, the spa procedures are completed by many supportive modern therapies. Our physicians monitor these trends carefully and are ready to expand your treatment with suitable procedures using traditional, and often even exotic methods using state of the art devices.

5. Prevention of many illnesses

Balneotherapy based on the Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) natural sources has proven preventive effects. Its importance has been proven regarding prevention of civilization and old-age illnesses. It has preventive effects, for example, in the case of after-surgery complications, inflammatory changes, and the formation of stones in the bile tract, ulcer disease and arteriosclerosis.

6. Long-term effect of spa treatment

Positive effects on a body are certainly not limited to the time you actually spend in spas. The result of spa care is not only a global “tuning” of your body, but also the feeling of relief and freshness. These effects positively and on a long-term basis intervene in the course of a disease or for prevention; this change usually persists for 5–6 months in the case of a chronic illness.

7. Spa diet
A diet is always a substantial part during the treatment and in the prevention of illnesses. Its biological and energetic balance is important. Therefore, we put a great emphasis on using modern dietary knowledge and our dietary physicians, nurses, and chefs will show you with ease, that a curative diet can also be very tasty.

8. Genius Loci

The complex of the effective curative means in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) definitely includes its cultural and architectural uniqueness. For centuries, it attracted and still attracts painters, sculptors, actors, writers, poets, composers, musicians, scientists, and world politicians. The rich architecture of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), the natural beauty of its surroundings, its parks, theatre and music scenes are waiting for you.