Case Studies
Our products have been proven and concepts have been published in the Textbook of Natural Medicine​

What is BALNEOTHERAPY?
BALNEOTHERAPY: The use of baths in the treatment of disease 
BALNEOLOGY: The Arts and Sciences of Medicinal Bathing
- Involves the application of hot or cold water to the body.
- Such includes the use of baths, peloids, and other natural substances as well as various climatic elements for the prevention and treatment of disease.
PELOID: The pulp of organic and inorganic materials.

Strengthening the Concept
As it is impossible (at the present time) to include all of our studies that we have accumulated over the past few decades, along with those of our fellow practitioners, not to mention the thousands that are documented worldwide, onto this presentation, you’ll find that the few you are about to see quite impressive and informative.

Endocrinological changes after Peat therapeutics
A study of 28 patients diagnosed with immature follicle sterility were divided into three groups. One group of 16 was chosen specifically for impregnation. The other two groups were evaluated for hormonal parameters, in consideration primarily prolactin, FSH, LH, DHEA-S, and estradiol. All patients received three peat baths per week, up to 12 treatments, and were evaluated on the ninth day of the cycle before treatment, and on the ninth day of the cycle 1.8 to 2.4 months following therapy.

Results
FSH was lowered from 8.0 mE/ml to 4.0 mE/ml; LH lowered from 10.0 mE/ml to 6.0 mE/ml; and estradiol elevated from 5.5 pg/ml to 10.0 pg/ml. Also, normalization of progesterone-biosynthesis was noted.
In the group of 16 patients, 11 became pregnant, with one miscarriage. This demonstrates a 68.8% treatment success modality.

References
J. Dietrich. (1994) Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Dept. of Gynecology, Cure Clinic Ludwigsbad

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​Balneologically Activated Skin Functions and their Clinical Evidence
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  • Each effect of a bath is natural imparted via the skin, which can act as the gateway for bath components and heat. It is known that the skin can respond to this as either a reflex organ with its differentiated sensorium, a metabolic organ, or an immune organ. In this case the bath can cause within the organism a peripheral impairment of functional sequences which are normally homeostatically controlled. These skin responses can effect the total organism by transmitter substances activating helping functions. The efficiency of medical baths can be rationally explained on the basis of these functional sequences, although there still exists an open field for basic research in this area.
  • Permeation through, but not the entry into, the stratum corneum is impeded. The stratum corneum is the is the barrier of the integument used against the penetration of substances into the body and against the elimination of substances from the body. The blood levels of the topical application components are hardly significant. Primary effects of bath components take place not via the blood but in the skin.
  • The epidermis is a strategically located buffer zone with the ability to reactively defend against penetrated external aggressors through the use of immunological defenses, the lowering of pain perception, the improvement of haemodynamics, and thermal regulation. Stress hormones, such as ACTH, MSH, epinephrine, and endorphin are produced directly by the skin. The use of serial cellular stress reactions to activate self-healing powers in the organism for the treatment of systemic chronical diseases in typical of the balneotherapy and the natural methods of medicine.
  • With baths, significantly higher concentrations of minerals and medicaments can be reached in the epidermis than with systemic flooding via the vascular system. It is not possible to achieve the same reactions in the skin with the use of other application forms of these substances.
The property of the hydrogen sulfide to act as a radical trap for oxygen radicals is also an indication of its involvement in the inflammation suppression. However, hydrogen sulfide can have these effects only in the epidermis, where it is completely oxidized into insignificant sulphates. That means sulphur is not a specific agent, rather, the reaction comes from the reduction effect of sulphur on epidermal cells. Hydrogen sulphide baths inhibit, depending on their dose, the epidermal Langerhans cells, which, as precursors of the cellular peripheral immunological system, play the role in the immune presentation. On one hand, it is known that the number of Langerhans cells increases in some inflammatory tissues. This is the result of the activated immune response. On the other hand, it is strategically suggestive that a decrease of the needable number of Langerhans cells in the epidermis of integument may work insufficiently.

All of our clinical double blind studies with sulphurated baths, which have been performed, have shown a significant cure effect due to a relevant pain alleviation with non-articular rheumatism and degenerative complaints. This analgetic effect goes beyond the placebo effect with concomitant physical treatment.

References
Prof. Dr. Helmet G. Pratzel Institute for Medical Balneology and Climatology, University of Munich, Germany

Hyperthermia
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1. Unusually High Fever.
2. Treatment Of Disease by Raising Bodily Temperature.
Hyperthermia, thermal effect, exogenous elevation of the body temperature, local or systemic, by means of a therapeutic bath or peloid pack, as a passive conductive transmission of thermal energy for local effect or a reflex response, has been demonstrated as a beneficial therapeutic measure for centuries.

Stasis Ulcer - open for 7 years​

John R. Griffin, 1997. Mr Griffin went on a current ninety day treatment of Therapeutic Peat Bath treating a deep, open to the nerve, stasis ulcer on his lower right leg, about three inches above the ankle. Mr. Griffin had a history of these ailments for a consecutive 21 years history.

​Mr. Griffin first ulceration happen in 1985. He went through two major surgeries and one skin graft on his lower left leg. He was treated at several hospital throughout this times. The hospitals he was treated, the Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Methodist Hospital and the Baylor University in Houston, TX. The Helen Keller Memorial, Tuscumbia, Alabama and University of Washington in Harborview, Seattle, WA.

During his hospitals visit Mr. Griffin ulcerated arteries and veins were treated with several treatments including, but not limited to, ultra-violet light rays, elevation with saline solutions and "ol time" concoctions of pulverized carrots and finally with black tar pine oil soaps.

After all these treatments then came 2% silvadene cream to promote skin growth. Later, added gold pond powder to make a poultice to get maximum quantities of zinc, which was supposed to be another healing ingredient. The dressing bandage was changed daily and utilized mustard oil to combat itching underneath the compression hose.

After running the country for solution, yet not giving-up, Mr. Griffin was recommend to a visit to Dr. Michael Schirmer for an evaluation. Dr. Schirmer first instinct, due to the wound be so large in size and so deep that could see the nerves moving, he was skeptical in recommending the peat bath. However, he suggested, at his own risk, he could try at low water temperature instead of the hot water temperature if he desired.

Results
Mr. Griffin started the treatment and within a week he witnessed tremendous improvement. He then continued the treatment. Within a month and a half his ulceration was healing outstandingly. The deep and wide wound was almost closed. Within three months of using the peat bath, the wound was completely healed from inside out leaving only a white mark around his wound area. Years past after Mr. Griffin had healed his ulcer and he continued using the Therapeutic Peat Bath for relaxation at the comfort of his home and an ulceration never appeared again. 
Mr. Griffin in his own words, "Fate led me to Dr. Schirmer's Therapeutic Peat Treatments. I am most proud to say that after completing only half of my 21 bath treatment program, I am astonished to report the rate of my new skin growth has quadrupled what would have taken place within a 12 month period using the silvadene cream alone.
Thanks Dr. Schirmer ---and your Therapeutic Peat Bath! I am a born again believer that miracles still abound!!!"

References
Dr. Michael Schirmer, M.D., Soothe-a-ritis Institute for Medical Balneology, Balneotherapy and Peat Bath, University of Munich, Germany.

Eczema or "Winter Eczema"

Judy Tucker, a former patient of Dr. Mark Groven in Seattle, WA. Born with eczema 62 years ago. She found herself diagnosed with "winter eczema" in December 1999. She was treated with topical steroids in the past. She had numerous visits in specialty clinics in Seattle, Washington that treated skin condition; she found all visits unsuccessful finding a treatment that would alleviate her skin condition.

In April of 2002, Dr. Groven recommended Ms. Tucker to get an evaluation of her current skin condition with Dr. Michael Schimer. At the time, Ms. Tucker skin looked very red, dry scaly skin all over her body, swollen, painful and wrinkled like an elephant hide, as she described. She could not keep her hand off scratching her face and entire body. After evaluating her skin condition,  Dr. Schirmer recommended the Therapeutic Peat Bath to use only on her hands the first two times and see if she would get any relieve.
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Results
Ms. Tucker achieved results on her first treatment. She then started to use the Therapeutic Peat Bath in her entire body.
Her open sores began to heal. By the beginning of June, she had control of her eczema and was finally feeling life long-awaited relief from the itching and discomfort of her skin condition.
She was so thankful and impressed of such a results after trying all past medication and steroids prescribed to her.
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In her own words, "I am very impressed with the results and continue to this date using Dr. Schirmer's Therapeutic Peat Bath. I find relaxing and enjoy its therapeutic benefits. Dr. Schirmer is my earth angel; my family and I are eternally grateful to him for his invention."

​References
Dr. Michael Schirmer, M.D., Soothe-a-ritis Institute for Medical Balneology, Balneotherapy and Peat Bath, University of Munich, Germany.

Physiological Effects of Therapeutic Peat Bath and Balneotherapy

Local Heat Effects

• Elevation of cellular fluids.
• Acceleration of collateral blood circulation.
• Reduction of pain.
• Relaxation of the skeletal musculature.
• Enhanced range of motion, stretching capacity of collagen structures.
• Antiphlogistic effect

Hyperthermia Effects

• Stimulation of the sympathetic nerves.
• Increase in heart rate and stroke volume.
• Overall sedative effect.
• Hormonal stimulation (cortisol catecholomines, prolactin, rennin, aldosterone, and somatotrophin).
• Immunostimulation (mild hyperthermia).
• Immunosuppression (extreme hyperthermia).
• Adaptation, acclimatization.
• Regulation of the vegetative functioning.

Mechanical Efects

• Hydrostatic pressure.
• Cohesion and viscosity, depending on the bath medium and the depth of submersion.
Treatment of Hematomas using the Therapeutic Peat Poultice and Balneotherapy

Objective
To evaluate the experience of using Healing Botanicals therapy on post-operative hematomas.

Method
In this study we utilized the American product Sooth-A-Ritis (Healing Botanicals), with its vasodilating, anti-inflammatory ingredients. Applied directly on the skin for 25-30 minutes commencing the third day after surgery, the poultice is covered with a hot hydrocollator pack at 48º C to 50º C for the same duration. Our intention was to facilitate the absorption of the peat components pharmacologically as well as to promote thermal dilation, leading to the diffusion of the leucocytes which are enhanced by vasodilatation to the afflicted area.
Eight female patients who were considered high risk for post-surgical subcutaneous hemosiderins were selected for this study, which was conducted from Sept. 96 to Jan. 97. Since all patients had multiple areas of hematomas, it was possible to conduct three different applications on each patient. Local heat only; local heat and poultice; and no treatment at all. All patients were treated on the third or forth day after surgery for 25-30 minutes per session every second or third day.

Results
The hematomas treated solely with heat dissipated in comparison to those that were left untreated, and were prolonged in comparison to those treated with poultice and heat. Furthermore, the hematomas that were treated with poultice and heat were absorbed approximately 50% faster, and left no residues of hemosiderins.
​Conclusion
Organic mineral carbon extracts, with its intense vasodilating and anti-inflammatory effects, and interactions of its ions and mineral properties (including free iron not transported by macrophages) represents an efficient therapeutic modality in the treatment of hematomas.

References
Alvaro P. Oliveira, Dr. Micahel H. Schirmer, Valeria M. Oliveira. (A/C Journal Of Medical Esthetics, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1997
More Studies

These studies can be pulled up online at PubMed medline query
  • Mud treatments of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with an immunologic deficiency (Gorchakova GA. Pavlova ES, Ruchkina AS, Skridonenko AD).
  • Effects of spa therapy in Tiberius on patients with ankylosing spondylitis. (Tishler M., Brostovski Y., Yaron M.)(Dept. of Rheumatology,Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center).
  • Physical and biochemical changes of thermal med after maturation. (Galzigna L., Moretto C., Lalli A.)(Dept. of Biological Chemistry, University of Paduva, Italy).
  • Sulfide ooze mud and sodium chloride baths in treating osteoarthritis patients. (Novikova NV)
  • The analgesic efficacy of sulfur mud baths in treating rheumatic diseases of the soft tissues.(double-blind) (Pratzel HG, Eigner UM, Weinert D., Limbach.)
  • Studies on the antimicrobial effect of natural and synthetic humic acids. (Ansorg R., Rochus W.)Successful prevention of adhesions using peat and humic acids. (Mesrogli M.,Maas DH, Mauss B., Plogmann S., Ziechmann W., Schneider J.)