Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, thermal water can soothe pelvic pain and lesions linked to endometriosis. What are the benefits of sulphurous water? How is a cure? What price? Elisabeth Girod Lighting, midwife at the thermal baths of Challes-les-Eaux.
Anti-inflammatory, rebalancing and healing are the three main qualities of sulphurous water, in other words water containing a sulfur compound, Hydrogen sulfide. This thermal water rich in trace elements is particularly indicated in the treatment of respiratory tract and rheumatism (osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia …), but also gynecological damage (Mycosis or vaginal dryness, inflammation, endometriosis. Post-cancer gynecological ..), after childbirth or post or pre-menopause. “”We don’t always know it, but thermal water can have Immediate action on endometriosis lesions And relieve pelvic pain up to 7 months after the cure“Indicates Sophie Theaude, Director of thermal baths of Challes-les-Eaux, in Savoie.”In addition to the incredible virtues of thermal water, spa guests find real listening and benevolence here, not only on the part of health professionals, but also other spa guests. They often arrive stressed, in a therapeutic impasse, and leave listened to and a little more relieved“, Rejoices Elisabeth Girod, midwife within the establishment. Meeting.
There Special Endometriosis Thermal Cure is based on a multidisciplinary management : doctor, midwife, sophrologist, osteopath, physiotherapist and dietitian-nutritionist in partnership with the association “Together against endometriosis” work together to offer a personalized and concrete solution to each patient.
► Each thermal cure includes A 45 -minute “anatomy” workshop provided by a midwife. The objective for the patient? Better understand the functioning of the muscles of the area of the basin and its perineum to be able to work on their mobility and their interactions. It is also an opportunity to discuss intimate hygiene, pain during sex or on other questions related to intimacy.
► Every day (except Sundays), 4 individual care (two bathing treatments including irrigation, spraying and shower) are carried out by a midwife who is listening and ready to answer the questions of the currist on her sexuality, her desires of pregnancy, the discomfort in relation to her body, the management of pain …
► A conference “Nutritherapy” is also offered. During this conference, the Curiste understands and analyzes the links between food and endometriosis and benefits from advice from a dietitian-nutritionist to apply on a daily basis.
► A sophrology session collective (1 hour) and An Ericksonian hypnosis session Individual (1 hour) allow you to learn to better manage stress and better use your diaphragm, to learn visualization and meditation. We learn there diaphragmatic breathing which is slower and deeper than thoracic breathing (a breathing that uses the upper part of the chest and more conducive to muscle tensions). It allows greater muscle and respiratory relaxation, and contributes to better oxygenation of blood, an increase in the activity of the digestive system and a decrease in stress.
► A yoga session And A sound yoga session (2 times 1 hour), a session of ostheopathy (1 hour), as well as “femininity” workshops can complement the management. Hammam sessions are also recommended.
Endometriosis is a chronic pathology of the endometrium – which lines the uterus – caused by the presence of endometrial cells outside the uterus which will form a tissue. This fabric can cause lesions, adhesions and ovarian cysts. In France, it is estimated thatOne in ten women Procurement is affected by this female disease. |
• Bubble bath and irrigation
In an individual cabin, the Curist is installed in a bathtub filled with city water (the temperature is suitable according to the patient). “”This isa bubble bath which makes it possible to relax the curist and to massage her body gently, especially the intestinal zone“Explains Elisabeth Girod. While she is in this bubble bath, the curist receives her first treatment with thermal water.”This isvaginal irrigation : Above the bathtub is a glass bottle containing 7L of thermal water to which a pipe is connected. At the end of this pipe is placed a cannula which allows the passage of thermal water with a very slight pressure. The patient, in the position she considers the most comfortable, introduces the cannula into her vagina and guides her as she pleases“. The thermal water then flows into the bathtub in which the Curist is installed. This double-sewn lasts fifteen minutes.
• Vaginal spray
In the same cabin, the curist is installed on a sort of box spring attached to the wall and placed on the bathtub. Several cushions make it possible to wedge the patient so that she is in a gynecological position (flexible thighs and calves slightly raised by cushions). This position allows you to have a very good opening and maximum relaxation in the vulva. “”Can then start Vulvar (or vaginal) spraying : a painless and very soft treatment which consists in spraying air and thermal water in micro-drops towards the vagina. Thermal water then penetrates the genitals“, describes the midwife.
The first day, this treatment is carried out For 5 minutes and without speculum. During the first medical visit, the doctor will decide or not, depending on the symptoms and the will of the patient, to prescribe the installation of a speculum (small medical instrument in plastic) which makes it possible to open the vagina and to spray more in depth. Then, vaginal spraying is programmed for 10 minutes. The second week is during 15 minutes And finally, the third week, the treatment extends to 20 minutes.
• Jet shower
The fourth and last treatment is A jet shower With a temperature and pressure adjustment at the convenience of the curist. “”It is a real massage of the whole body lasting 3 to 5 minutes: we start with a massage of the vault, the back of the two legs, back, shoulders, belly (especially in the colon and intestines) and chest, then finished with a jet of cold water on the legs“, Details our interlocutor. A tea space is available for patients who wish to relax there, before or after care. In Challes-les-Eaux, these care is provided by midwives, which is Unique in France in the field of thermalism. These 4 treatments are carried out 6 days a week (except Sunday) for three weeks. Note that this care can be carried out without any concern during the period of rules.
Thanks to its high sulfur content, thermal water (also called “sulphurous” or “sulfurée”) has a Anti-inflammatory action And healing. “”Spraying with thermal water being directly oriented towards vulvar, vaginal and urinary areas, it calm inflammation and assistance in the healing of lesions“, Explains Elisabeth Girod. It also makes it possible to relieve pelvic pain, to calm spasms, to avoid recurrences, to rebalance the mucous membranes and the vaginal flora and to act on the vaginal dryness. The benefits can be visible from the start of the cure or a few months later. The spa treatment can be renewed each year to maintain the results obtained.
To benefit from management from the health insurance fund, the spa treatment must be prescribed by a doctor And followed at least for 18 days of effective treatment. The “endometriosis” cure consists of the gynecological program (from 474.44 euros, reimbursed up to 65% by health insurance or 100% if you justify an ALD) and the specific endometriosis module (185 euros) which is not taken care of by health insurance.
Thanks to Sophie Theaude, Director of thermal baths of Challes-les-Eaux (Group Thermal Sun Channel) and Elisabeth Girod, midwife in the same establishment.
→ Thermal station in Challes-les-Eaux (73190): From 474,44 euros for a period of 18 days (depending on a prescription for a second therapeutic orientation)