Treatment in Vichy

Vichy is a town and commune three hours drive from Paris, a famous balneological resort, which thermal springs have been known since the beginning of the 3rd century AD. Hydrocarbonate-sodium waters of Vichy are prescribed as part of the drinking treatment course and are also used in balneological procedures. The main indications for treatment at the fashionable resort are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, joints, endocrine disorders, chronic fatigue and stress.

Vichy spa hotels are not currently listed on sanatoriums.com. Consider the resorts of Borjomi, Truskavets, Mariánské Lázně and Teplice, where the treatment process is based on the use of mineral waters of similar composition. 

Mineral waters of the Vichy resort 

There are 15 springs of sodium hydrocarbonate water with similar physical and chemical properties, differing in temperature (from 16 °C to 75 °C) and depth of location. Water mineralization reaches 5.1 g/l. Only 5 springs are actively used for therapeutic purposes: 3 hot springs and 2 cold springs, all of which are included in the town's Hall of Springs. 

Vichy springs improve skin condition, restore normal water balance in the body, strengthen musculoskeletal structures and vessel walls, and reduce gastric acidity. Hydrocarbonate waters increase the concentration of water in the skin by almost 20% and eliminate muscle fatigue by reducing acidification of the body as a whole. The high lithium content has a positive effect on the nervous system, relieving stress and anxiety. The intake of Vichy thermal water regulates the volume of bile entering the stomach, activates and increases the amount of liver enzymes. 

Chomel spring. 43 °C. The oldest spring of the resort, equipped in 1750. Taking water from the spring improves blood microcirculation and normalises the function of sebaceous glands. This water contains a lot of silicon dioxide, which is extracted and used in the manufacture of the famous Vichy pastilles. 

Grande Grille spring. 39 °C. It is characterised by a high concentration of fluoride, which is useful in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Fluoride also helps to eliminate radionuclides and improves hematopoietic processes. 

Hôpital spring. 34 °C. The water of this spring contains many anhydrides of carboxylic acids and silicon. Taking the water has a positive effect on the digestive tract, stimulates the removal of sand and small stones from the kidneys, urinary and gall bladder, is effective for high sugar and hypercholesterolemia, other metabolic disorders. The water of the spring Hôpital strengthens immunity, has an anti-inflammatory effect, accelerates wound healing and recovery from injuries, burns. 

Lucas spring. 27 °C. The main difference of mineral water from this spring is its pronounced antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects. Due to these properties, Lucas spring water is used in a large number of Vichy cosmetic products and is also applied externally as a spray on damaged skin. 

Célestins spring. 22 °C. Probably the most famous spring in Vichy, since the water is bottled and sold all over the world due to its low salt concentration. A course of drinking treatment with Vichy-Celestins water is usually prescribed for patients with liver, kidney and stomach diseases. 

Other mineral waters from the Vichy resort are also used for therapeutic purposes. For example, the water from the Saint-Yorre spring, located on the outskirts of Vichy, is used in drinking cures. The thermal water of the Boussanges and Antoine springs, with a temperature of 60-70 °C, is used to fill swimming pools and for some balneotherapy procedures. 

Comparative characteristics of Vichy Saint-Yorre and Vichy Célestins waters 

Additional methods of treatment in Vichy 

Drinking cure is the basis of treatment programs at the resort. Its effectiveness is supplemented by water procedures: needle, Scottish shower, Charcot shower, whirlpool baths, mineral and aromatic baths, hydrokinesiotherapy. Individual and group gymnastics classes are obligatory. The main medical facilities of the resort (Les Thermes des Dômes, Les Thermes Callou, Vichy Célestins Spa Hotel medical centers) offer a wide range of electrical procedures, massages, hardware physiotherapy, acupuncture, cryotherapy, saunas. 

Peloid therapy plays an important role in Vichy resort's therapeutic programs. The mud treatments at the resort use white clay (kaolin), which is infused for a month in the thermal water of the Lys and Dom springs, rich in healing algae. 

Many people come not only for therapeutic, but also for cosmetic procedures. Unique methods of skin condition diagnostics like Dermoanalyser and Scinconsult are used at the resort. Numerous peelings, spa rituals, wraps and washes, as well as all cosmetic preparations, are prescribed with the same responsibility as medical procedures. Problems with oily skin, dryness, reduced elasticity, impaired sensitivity, wrinkles, scars and many other problems are effectively resolved. 

Indications for treatment at the Vichy resort 

• Diseases of the digestive system: gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, chronic hepatitis, dyskinesia of the biliary tract, cholelithiasis;
• Endocrine diseases: gout, hypercholesterolemia, pre-diabetes, overweight;
• Urologic diseases: urolithiasis;
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, conditions after traumas and surgeries;
• Dermatologic diseases and defects;
• Chronic fatigue, stress, anxiety disorders

It is obligatory to have a consultation with your doctor about the possibility of traveling to the resort!