Skip to main content

Effect of Spa therapy in Tiberias on patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Summary

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

References

  1. Babylonian Talmud-Sanhedrin. 108, 71.

  2. Sukenik, S., Buskila, D., Neumann, L., Kleiner-Baumgarten, A., Zimlichman, S., Horowitz, J. Sulfur bath and mud pack treatment for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea area. Ann Rheum Dis 1990, 49, 99–102.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Helliwell, P.S. An appraisal of medicinal spa therapy for rheumatological disorders. J R Soc Health 1989, 109, 3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Szucs, L., Ratko, L., Iesko, T., Szoor, I., Genti, G., Bruint, G. Double blind trial on the effectiveness of the Puspokladany thermal water on arthrosis of the knee joints. J R Soc Health 1989, 109, 7–9.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Elkayam, O., Wigler, I., Tishler, M. et al. Effect of spa therapy in Tiberias on patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 1991, 18, 1799–1803.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Moll, J.M.H., Wright, V. New York clinical criteria for ankylosing spondylitis. A statistical evaluation. Ann Rheum Dis 1973, 32, 354–363.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Moll, J.M.H., Wright, V. Normal range of spinal mobility: an objective clinical study. Ann Rheum, Dis 1971, 30, 381–386.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Adler, E., Buchmann, M., Chaco, J., Feldman, N. Some laboratory aspects of degenerative osteoarthritis in the warm springs of Tiberias. Isr J Med Sci 1963, 22, 257–261.

    Google Scholar 

  9. O'Hare, J.P., Heywood, A., Summerlayer, C. et al. Observations on the effects of immersion in bath spa water. Br Med J 1985, 291, 1747–1751.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Matrai, A., Ernst, E. Hemorrheologic and clinical changes in ankylosing spondylitis during hyperthermia. Acta Med Austriaca 1991, 18, 120–124.

    Google Scholar 

  11. The effect of saunas on the physical activity of patients with ankylosing spondylitis at the beginning and end of spa therapy. Fysiastr Revmatol Vestn 1983, 61, 214–225.

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Tiberian Spa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tishler, M., Brostovski, Y. & Yaron, M. Effect of Spa therapy in Tiberias on patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Rheumatol 14, 21–25 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02208080

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02208080

Key words

  • Balneotherapy
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis