Did you know that New York State has more mineral springs than any other state in the Union …. that the first Natural Health Food Store was in NY state ? The first health “clinic” was formed in New York State. The first department of “Chaplain and Spiritual Care Services” was in Clifton Springs, New York. The practice of Naturopathy started in New York. Dr. Simon Baruch, MD – father of hydrotherapy, was a NY City based physician in 1881 and started his studies with our springs here in Saratoga Springs, NY.
This information
is just a sampling of the information presented at the Gideon Putnam & Roosevelt
Baths and Spa Reawakening Retreat, Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs on
Saturday March 13th, 2010. Dr. Les Moore, a Naturopathic Physician,
Lic. Acupuncturist, author, speaker and the Director of the Integrative Health
Department at Clifton Springs Hospital in western NY presented information on
Hydrotherapy. And I presented on
the powers of Foods and Nutrients in Health and Vitality.
Dr.
Moore explained the use of water for healing is an art and science unto itself.
Hydrotherapy is the application of water in the treatment of disease and the
maintenance of health. Hydropathy
refers to the “water cure” which arose from the empirical tradition
and professed to cure all diseases by use of water . Balneology or
balneotherapy refers to the science of baths and their therapeutic uses.
Crenology or crenotherapy is the science and use of waters from mineral springs.
Dr. Moore speaks
worldwide on his research and knowledge of Hydrotherapy. Just about all cultures have had large traditions of
healing springs, and Europe and Asia still continue with their healing
tradition today. Besides the
immense positive effects on health, these waters in other cultures have
supported them in their economy as Dr. Moore has reported. America is beginning to revive her
incredible tradition of `taking the waters’. Is New York on the cutting edge of reclaiming her rightful
place as the leader of Spa and Resort Therapy in America ? WE SHOULD BE.
During
his discussion, I commented “It appears we are on a gold mine”, and Dr. Moore responded, “We
are”. Wouldn’t this be a great
venture for New York State to pursue – especially in this time of economic
dread and health care challenges that are higher than it has ever been for our
state history?
Dr. Moore has
tested and concluded our healing springs in Saratoga Springs possess the healing
minerals he presented on- which are the ingredients for healing – with very
short-term usage. Did you know
there are over 300,000 research articles on the benefits of hydrotherapy ? Some common chronic conditions that
studies have proven hydrotherapy can help heal (with short term use of several
weeks) are: hypertension,
heavy metal toxicity, depression, diabetes, heart disease, general signs and
symptoms of aging, arthritis, autoimmune disease and much, much more.
These conditions
were also discussed by myself in my presentation on Integrative and Functional
Medicine. I explained that in my work
with foods and nutrients, I regularly see people transition to health, discontinue
medications, lose weight, and feel more vital than they have experienced in
years.
If you were not
able to attend this inspiring day of learning about the history of the area we
live in and the health and healing qualities of our waters, our health
practitioners and more, please mark your calendars for The Park-wide Anniversary & Wellness Festival slated for Sept 10th , 2010 weekend.
QUESTION FOR MY READERS:
#1 Have you experienced positive effects from the use of our
healing springs ? If you have,
what specifically happened ?
#2
What can we do as a Community to expand our gift of the springs to
utilize them more for improving the health and economy of our state ?