Pain, Depression & Stress

Results show that there is a synergic association between a pharmacological treatment (trazodone) and mud packs. This rebalances the stress response system, resulting the discharge of corticoids in the blood and an increase in beta-endorphin serum levels. This is followed by a reduction in pain symptoms, which results in improvement of disability, depression and quality of life. (Bellometti, 1999)

Sulphur containing baths produce lowering of pain sensitivity. (Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult (3): 37-41)

Rheumatic Conditions...
Fourteen patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were treated in a pilot study for two weeks at a Tiberias spa with a combination of hot mineral water baths and mud packs. A significant improvement was noticed in morning stiffness, finger to floor distance and the overall well-being assessment both by the patient and the physician. A significant reduction in the use of analgesics and NSAIDs was also noted in most of the patients. Improvement in all parameters began after one week of treatment and was still present at three months. (Tishler M, Brostovski Y, Yaron M, Clin Rheumatol 1995, Jan) (You can order full documentation on line from PubMed)

Therapeutic mud therapy improves function of joints and decreases pain in those with subchronic extra-articular rheumatism. (Clin Ter 1993 Nov; 143(5): 417-20)

Mud treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with an immunologic deficiency. The response to pelotherapy has been assessed clinically and immunologically basing on t-lymphocyte count. Altogether 124 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were examined. In patients with low baseline levels of T-lymphocytes the effect of pelotherapy appeared inferior to that in patients with normal T-lymphocyte counts. It was suggested that T-cell immunosuppressed RA patients should receive combined therapy with mud applications and anabolic stimulator potassium ortate. (Gorchakova GA, Pavlova ES, Ruchkina AS, Skridonenko AD, Vopr Kurortol Fizioter lech Fiz Kult 1989 Sept-Oct)
(You can order full documentation on line from PubMed)

The analgesic efficacy of sulfur mud baths in treating rheumatic diseases of the soft tissues. Changes in pain thresholds assessed in 16 trigger points were traced in two randomly selected groups of patients subjected to diluted mud baths in the presence or absence of sulfur compounds. Sulfur baths produced a significant lowering of pain sensitivity. The effect was augmenting with the number of procedures, the rise slowing down to the end of the course. (Pratsel Hg, Eigner UM, Weinert D, Limbach B, Vopr Kurortol Fizioter lech Fiz Kult 1991 May-June) (You can order full documentation on line from PubMed)

Medical mud packs improve visual function after uveitis of rheumatoid etiology. (Oftaimol Zh 4: 218-21)