What Is Balneotherapy?

Despite the clinical-sounding name, balneotherapy is far from a passing trend or complicated treatment. In fact, the practice of bathing in mineral waters for their therapeutic qualities is one of the oldest wellness traditions on Earth.

The term stems from the Latin balneum, meaning “bath,” which points to its long and rich history spanning centuries. Long before modern medicine, ancient civilizations in Greece, Rome, India, and Egypt used natural hot springs and thermal baths to treat everything from joint pain and poor circulation to skin conditions and fatigue1. Each civilization turned to healing waters for different reasons: the Greeks and Hindus believed in the purifying energy of sacred springs. Meanwhile, the Egyptians used mineral-rich water to boost beauty and vitality, and the Romans built ornate public bathhouses that blended healing, hygiene, and community.

Bathing practices have withstood the test of time, moving beyond tradition as they were passed down through generations and adapted across cultures. In countries like Germany, France, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, balneotherapy is still considered a medical treatment and fully integrated into national healthcare systems, with doctors incorporating it into various treatment plans at specialized medical spas2.

Today, mineral spring soaks are prized because they can help alleviate joint and muscle pain, a variety of skin conditions, and the effects of stress, including anxiety and insomnia.

How Does Balneotherapy Work?

The key to balneotherapy’s power is what’s in the water. ​​While hydrotherapy focuses on soaks at certain temperatures to facilitate physical movement and heat or cool the body, balneotherapy is all about the chemical composition of the water itself. Natural minerals—like magnesium, sulfur, calcium, lithium, and bicarbonate—are believed to be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in steam, helping reduce inflammation, relax muscles, improve circulation, regulate the nervous system, and even improve immunity.

Balneotherapy Benefits

Many scientific studies back these claims. For example, a 2023 review of 17 studies performed on adults with osteoarthritis found that all instances showed improvements on pain and quality of life after balneotherapy, attributing this to the physical and chemical properties of thermal mineral water3.

A 2024 review involving a total of 765 participants showed a significant short-term reduction in cortisol levels in healthy individuals and those under high levels of stress, as well as reduced inflammatory mediators and improved quality of life in patients with rheumatic conditions4.

Another 2022 assessment found that 16 out of 21 evaluated studies revealed improvements in self-perceived sleep quality5. Overall, these and various other sources support the time-tested belief that balneotherapy can relieve pain and stiffness, lower stress, and support better sleep and mental wellness.

How to Get the Most Out of Balneotherapy

But how should you practice it to get these results? Most studies and spas suggest sitting in mineral-rich water that's comfortably warm for 20 to 30 minutes. Doing this regularly, ideally for a few weeks at a time and coupled with a holistic routine involving exercise and hydration, can lead to noticeable effects like reduced joint pain, better sleep, improved circulation, and lower stress levels.

The warmth and buoyancy of the water play a major role, too. Being immersed in water reduces pressure on the joints, lessening the load the body carries and supporting pain relief. Heat then stimulates thermal receptors and mechanoreceptors in the skin, which can block pain signals and relax tight muscles. Increased blood flow also helps carry away pain-inducing chemicals in the body, allowing the muscles to soften and repair more easily6.

And don't underestimate the psychological and emotional effects of your treatment. Being in a peaceful spa environment surrounded by nature or soothing designs has a calming effect that supports relaxation, contributing to these balneotherapy benefits.

The WorldSprings Mineral Method

Since the properties of the water you soak in have been shown to impact your results, we created the Mineral Method at WorldSprings. Instead of choosing a pool at random, guests follow thoughtfully curated wellness circuits through our globally inspired regions.

These circuits are designed to target Sleep, Stress, Recovery, or Detox. Each one lasts 30+ minutes, combining various temperatures that stimulate the body's natural healing processes and different mineral compositions, such as magnesium for relaxation (Japan & Korea) and bicarbonate for circulation (Australia & Bali).

As science shows, repetition is essential to the effectiveness of balneotherapy. While one session might leave you feeling relaxed, multiple soaks give your system time to respond and adjust. With our custom circuits, you follow a methodical routine designed to deliver balneotherapy benefits.

Each circuit combines warm immersion, cold plunges, and rest to activate circulation, calm the nervous system, ease uncomfortable symptoms, and deepen the body's physical response.

Whether you need to unwind after a stressful week, soothe sore muscles, or support your body's natural detox processes, the Mineral Method takes the guesswork out of wellness and leaves you feeling noticeably renewed.

WorldSprings makes it easy to turn your next wellness trip into something more impactful and purposeful. If you're ready to experience balneotherapy benefits but aren't sure where to begin, take our Mineral Method quiz to discover the perfect circuit for your goals.

While balneotherapy has diverse ancient roots and a solid backing from science, the experience it provides is also charmingly simple: warm water, natural minerals, gentle movement, and beautiful landscapes. At the end of the day, self-care should always feel natural, grounded, and enjoyable—and at WorldSprings, it is. Book your visit and let the minerals and Mother Nature do the rest.

Sources:

1. Gianfaldoni, S., et al. (23 July 2017). History of the Baths and Thermal Medicine. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. Retrieved July 12, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5535692/
2. European Spas Association. Balneology in European Health Resorts. Retrieved July 12, 2025, from https://europeanspas.eu/balneology/
3. Protano, C., Fontana, M., De Giorgi, A., Marotta, D., Cocomello, N., Crucianelli, S., Del Cimmuto, A., & Vitali, M. (10 June 2023). Balneotherapy for Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Rheumatology International. Retrieved July 12, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10348981/
4. Antonelli, M., Fasano, F., Veronesi, L., Donelli, D., Vitale, M., Pasquarella, C. (October 2024). Balneotherapy and Cortisol Levels: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. International Journal of Biometeorology. Retrieved July 12, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38884799/
5. Castelli, L., et al. (10 August 2022). Sleep and Spa Therapies: What Is the Role of Balneotherapy Associated With Exercise? A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Physiology. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9399348/

Verhagen, A., Cardoso, J., and Bierma-Zeinstra-S. (June 2012). Aquatic exercise & balneotherapy in musculoskeletal conditions. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521694212000599