Scientific Research

Ermitage Bel Air finances scientific research in the field of thermal treatments and participates directly in the more interesting scientific initiatives concerning the well-being of its guests and the development of the sector.

Direct daily experience has convinced us that thermal therapies can have considerably beneficial effects. The scientific study of the intrinsic properties of our waters and of the mud we cultivate allows us to exploit nature’s offerings better, to improve our treatment protocols and to prove their true therapeutical effectiveness, thus winning the trust of many who are still sceptical.

Ermitage Bel Air is already involved in the research carried out in the “Pietro d’Abano” Centre for Thermal Studies in connection with the University of Padua, which university accepted to try and isolate the thermal algae that constitute the active principle responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of our mud.
To this, Ermitage Bel Air decided to add, starting in the 2007 season, its direct co-operation in the research activities, by promoting research agreements with the Physical Exercise, Health and Sports Activities Institute (IEFSAS) of the University of Milan, guided by Professor Arsenio Veicsteinas, a Physiologist and Sports Physician

He goal of the co-operation is:  “The functional assessment of direct and indirect effects of the thermal medicine world on the human body” (August 2007)

He 2007 experience confirmed that mud-bath therapy, besides its well-known anti-inflammatory and pain relieving action in the treatment of some degenerative pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (effects that were recognised by the Italian Ministry of Health), has also some indirect effects on other body systems, in particular, on the cardiovascular and metabolic functions.
The results and a detailed description of the research carried out in August 2007 are available in this section of the site, by clicking on: IEFSAS 2007 research.

Ermitage and its Milan university partner continue the research also in the 2008 season, on the basis of the results of the previous studies. The studies carried out in August 2007 showed also that each mud therapy session induces a considerable loss of fluids, with consequent weight loss and change in arterial blood pressure, which suggest a rebalancing of the body water in the various areas of the body.
On the basis of these facts, the object of the 2008 study is to check if and how body water rebalancing induced by thermal treatments can provide a positive answer to the problem of localised water retention, a condition that troubles in particular the female population.

“Effects of the thermal treatment on the hydro-electrolyte balance: a functional assessment” (August 2008)

The description of the research project and of the treatment protocols adopted can be found in this section, by clicking on: IEFSAS 2008 research. Subjects interested in participating in the research can contact the Ermitage Bel Air thermal spa.