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The therapeutic effect of Värska mud and Värska mineral water baths on the overuse pain and muscle tension syndromes in the working age population

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Abstract

The effects of bath therapy are complex and result from a unique interaction between the aquatic environment and the human body functions. The effect of bath therapy depends on both water temperature and chemical additives (mineral substances and humic substances). Värska Resort Centre, in south-eastern Estonia, uses for the balneotherapy the local curative mud and mineral water. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of Värska’s local mud bath and mineral water bath on moderate musculoskeletal pains in working-age people. The study involved 64 working-age subjects: within two weeks, 32 of them received five general mineral water baths, and another 32 received five general curative mud baths. Pain was assessed with the Nordic Musculosceletal Questionnaire, and muscle tension was measured with a myotonometer in m. erector spinae and m. trapezius. Measurements were performed three times: before the start of the study, immediately after the last procedure, and 2–3 weeks after the last procedure. Both the Värska curative mud bath and the Värska mineral water bath showed a positive effect on musculoskeletal pain and muscle tension. Both procedures can be recommended as drug-free interventions for mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain syndrome and muscle tensions, in both prevention and treatment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Regional Competence Centre Development programme, European Regional Development Fund, project EU50286 – Centre of Excellence in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Centre of Excellence in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lihula mnt 12, 90507, Haapsalu, Estonia

    Varje-Riin Tuulik, Monika Kumm & Viiu Tuulik

  2. West Tallinn Central Hospital, Paldiski mnt 68, 10617, Tallinn, Estonia

    Varje-Riin Tuulik

  3. Pärnu College, University of Tartu, Ringi 35, 80012, Pärnu, Estonia

    Monika Kumm

  4. Chair of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia

    Alar Veraksitš

  5. Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia

    Taavi Päll

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  1. Varje-Riin Tuulik
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Correspondence to Monika Kumm.

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Tuulik, VR., Kumm, M., Tuulik, V. et al. The therapeutic effect of Värska mud and Värska mineral water baths on the overuse pain and muscle tension syndromes in the working age population. Environ Geochem Health 44, 2101–2110 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00951-w

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