Some have it, many use it: the healing climate. But only about 50 of the total of more than 6,000 German spa and recreation resorts are allowed to adorn themselves with the predicate “Heilklima-Kurort”. The quality seal, which is awarded by the German Spas Association (DHV) and the German Tourism Association (DTV), is tied to strict criteria. Accordingly, only those resorts whose air quality is regularly checked and qualified, among other things, by an expert opinion of the German Meteorological Service have a “healing climate”. For the other spas, resorts, climatic health resorts and seaside resorts, controlled criteria also apply in their categories, with the help of which the structure and quality on site are to be guaranteed.
Health resorts with tradition
Spas and cures have a long tradition in Germany. Whether mineral or mud baths, Kneipp cures or the bathing cure at a seaside spa, people have been using the healing powers of mineral-rich warm water and fresh unconsumed air by the sea and in the forests for hundreds of years for recreation and health promotion.
Bioclimate in the city
The majority of people live in densely built-up cities, where there is a stressful bioclimate. The built-up areas of cities prevent air currents with which pollutants and irritants can be transported away and filtered through the foliage of surrounding forests, for example. It is therefore not without reason that so-called “green lungs”, i.e. generously laid-out green belts in inner-city areas, now play a major role in urban planning. The haze over cities reduces the biologically effective and important UV radiation in winter and often causes respiratory problems and circulatory problems due to smog and high ozone levels in summer.
Recreation in the green
No wonder, then, that many people can be helped with targeted exercise in fresh, clean air. The healing climatic effect depends on:
- The purity, humidity, movement and warming of the air.
- The strength and duration of solar radiation
- The weather and weather conditions
- The season
This takes advantage of the differences in the various climates to specifically improve health through the interaction of sun, air, water and mineral content.
Great climate
The characteristics of a climate are divided into gentle, stimulating and stressful factors. Gentle stimuli are, for example, the purity of the air and the increased water vapor content, the so-called aerosol, which has a positive effect especially at the sea due to the higher salt content. In health resorts that do not benefit from the sea climate, spa guests often find so-called graduation towers, where mineral-rich water is sprinkled over a brushwood network. The natural evaporation significantly increases the salt content of the air. The paths around the graduation towers, which are often mistakenly called “salt works,” serve as inhalatories. Stimulating factors, on the other hand, include wind and air temperature. The task of the supervising spa doctor during a spa stay is to individually adjust the individual rest, stimulation and stress factors for the respective patient and thus to develop a balanced and health-promoting treatment. For this purpose, the doctor must be qualified as a “spa doctor” and consolidate his qualification through further training measures.
Sunlight therapy in the high mountains
Because the solar radiation in the high mountains is stronger than in the plains at relatively low temperatures, sunlight therapy (heliotherapy) can be carried out particularly well here. A stay in the high mountains is especially useful for allergic asthma, because there is hardly any pollen here and the good air quality has a beneficial effect on the respiratory organs. Due to the lower oxygen content of the air, breathing is improved. Together with the good air quality, this has a positive effect on the nose, lungs and bronchial tubes. That is why there are many lung sanatoriums and specialized lung clinics in these areas. A high mountain cure is also suitable for cardiovascular diseases and skin diseases.
Forest climate with brine bubbles
The spa climate in the low mountain range, forest and hilly areas is particularly low in irritants and mild. Especially the special forest climate offers a more balanced temperature spectrum, because it is cooler there during the day and warmer at night than in forestless areas. The forest provides cool, clean air and also offers suitable wind protection. Many health resorts are not only scenically embedded in large forest areas, but also have natural brine springs that are used therapeutically.The spa climate of the low mountain ranges and forest areas is particularly suitable for general health care, rehabilitation after serious illnesses, cardiovascular, respiratory and rheumatic diseases.
Healing coastal mist
On the coast, the sea-saline and pure air makes up the healing climate. In addition, the intensity of the sun’s rays is enhanced by the sea. During a spa stay at the coast, climatic therapy and bath therapy are combined. Patients with chronic mucous membrane inflammations, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as skin diseases benefit from the sea climate. The healing properties of the North Sea come not only from the weather, but also from the iodine and other vital minerals contained in the mudflats. At low tide, the pollen-free sea breeze sweeps over these surfaces and carries the minerals, which are valuable for health, to the mainland. The high waves create a strong surf that swirls the anti-inflammatory aerosols into the air. Therefore, walking along the sea, you can easily relieve your respiratory problems: All you have to do is breathe in the aerosol. Combined with exercise, proper posture and improved breathing technique, a cure effect often sets in amazingly quickly.
Low-irritant Baltic Sea
At the Baltic Sea, climatic stimuli are diminished and allow for slower acclimation and a more gentle adjustment of the organism. The maximum and minimum air temperatures differ less than at the North Sea. The other stimulating climate factors also occur in a weakened way at the Baltic Sea. The amount of aerosol in the air at the Baltic Sea is much lower than at the North Sea (32 g/l), because the salinity of the Baltic Sea is only about 12 g/l.
Constant review
For health resorts in Germany, the meteorological-medical department of the German Meteorological Service (DWD) prepares bioclimatic and air-hygienic reports in accordance with the quality standards for health resorts and spas. The expert reports serve as decision-making aids for the competent authorities of the federal states for the award or confirmation of spa predicates. The requirements for recognition as a climatic health resort by the German Meteorological Service are particularly strict. Required are:
- Two-year measurements of an automatic climate station
- One-year measurement of air quality at at least 3 sites.
- Climate assessment with extended climate analysis and bioclimatological assessment.
- Expert opinion on air quality
- Bioclimatological assessment of the paths used for outdoor walking.
- Continuous measurements of an automatic climate station to monitor the climate on site.
Periodic review every 5 years:
- Site visit with assessment of air-hygienic conditions.
Periodic review every 10 years:
- Site visit
- One-year control measurements of air quality
- Confirmation of the climate assessment
- Expert opinion on air quality
In addition, a curative climatic spa must have at least one spa doctor with health insurance license, who has experience in medical climatology, as well as specialized staff with education and training in the field of medical climatic therapy. Communication and training centers or facilities for health promotion events are also mandatory under the guidelines of the German Spas Association. Play and sports facilities must not be missing, as well as a spa park and extensive forest areas.
