Karlovy Vary – the most famous and largest spa resort in the Czech Republic. It is situated at 360–390 metres above sea level. The city was founded in 1358 by the Czech king and the Roman emperor Charles IV.

Guests arrive at Karlovy Vary to have, to see and to try the traditional spa treatment, which is based on using natural medicinal sources - mineral springs, peat, natural gas CO2 and very good local climatic conditions.

To make the spa treatment maximally effective, it must take at least 14 days, or, on a physician's recommendation, even longer.

DRINKING CURE

Thirteen mineral springs with a temperature of 30 °C to 72 °C are used by the spa facilities in Karlovy Vary, as for chemistry, the hot spring water belongs to the bicarbonate-chloride-sulfate-sodium water group, i.e. thermal water. Individual springs have practically the same mineral content, but they differ only  in the temperature and amount of carbon dioxide. The creation, formation, and release of the hot spring water and gas towards the surface represent very complex and long-term natural processes. The mineral water´s composition is unique worldwide, along with its beneficial effects upon the human body. It is used both for exterior balneotherapy (baths, etc.) and for drinking programs. In addition to mineral water and gas, the spa therapy also makes use of peloids (mud, fen, peat).

The drinking cure is the most important part of Karlovy Vary  spa treatment. The thermal water should be drunk in sips, preferably while taking a walk – a cup with content of 200 ml you should drink during 3 – 10 minutes, in between individual cups is recommended a break of 5 – 10 minutes. There are 47 elements necessary for the body in the Karlovy Vary springs  and it has been proven that it has beneficial effects for the entire digestive tract, metabolism, periodontal disease, the overall improvement of health condition and the improvement of imunity towards genetic disposition and civilization diseases.

But there are other curative methods used for treatment:

THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE A PART OF THE COMPLEX SPA TREATMENT, USING:

• Natural therapeutic sources (thermal springs, gasses, peloids)
• Physical and kinetic treatment
• Health education
• Heath food and eating habits
• And many other supportive therapies

INDICATION OF THE KARLOVY VARY (CARLSBAD) SPA TREATMENT

The complex Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) treatment is designed for the ill suffering mainly from these problems:

DIGESTIVE TRACT DISEASES

Ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum, intestinal problems, conditions after surgery of the intestines, stomach, gallbladder, chronic diseases of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestines.

METABOLIC DISEASES

Diabetes, obesity, fat metabolism malfunctions, gout

KINETIC APPARATUS DISEASES

Degenerative problems of the spine and large joints

ONCOLOGIC DISEASES

Cancer of stomach, colon, recto sigma, 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

In case of other illnesses, the Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) mineral water is a suitable natural curative source (NHS):

CIRCULATOR SYSTEM DISEASES

Natural carbonated mineral water, natural source of carbon dioxide, etc.

NON-TUBERCULOSIS DISEASES OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Natural sodium chloride mineral water, natural sodium bicarbonate mineral water, etc.

GENERAL CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR SPA TREATMENT

A spa treatment, like other therapeutic procedures, can have a rather negative influence on some diseases. Generally, one can say that this applies in case of Karlovy Vary to the following:

• Acute infection and transmissible diseases,
• Epilepsy,
• Dependency on alcohol,
• Dependency on addictive drugs,
• Pregnancy,
• Hemophilic conditions,
• Serious mental disorders,
• Parasite diseases,
• Clinical signs of circulatory failure,
• Conditions following a deep venous thrombosis; conditions following superficial thrombophlebitis,
• Cachexia of diverse etiology,
• Malignant tumors,
• Urinary and fecal incontinence.