Unique
mineral springs rise at many sites in the Czech Republic and have been used for therapeutic treatment since the beginning of the 15th century. Spa towns were established around these springs throughout the centuries. They are frequently located in picturesque landscapes, with an attractive urban concept as well as specific spa architecture.
A glance at the history
The spa industry underwent its most extensive development at the end of the 18th century, because it was closely connected to advances made in science and technology and also to the development of social communication. Large spa buildings and colonnades were built and mineral springs were roofed over, with great attention being paid to the quality of natural sources.
The most select clientele visited the spa towns. Carlsbad4
(map) and Teplice5
(map) in Bohemia boasted visits by Tsar Peter the Great, Albrecht of Waldstein and even the English King Eduard VII. Frequent guests of Czech spas in more recent history also include celebrities of European culture, for instance Goethe, Schiller, Chopin, Beethoven, Wagner and others.
After 1989 the standard offer of therapeutic programmes was expanded by a new form of relaxation and renewal programmes. These programmes are shorter and clients pay for them themselves.
Programmes covered by health insurance
Spa therapy, as an essential part of the therapeutic process, is covered by health insurance companies under specific terms. Either as complex (KLP) or contributory spa care (PLP).
Complex spa care is a therapeutic programme during which the CZ health insurance companies cover spa therapy, accommodation and meals.
During contributory spa care the health insurance company only covers the costs of spa therapy. Both types of programme last at least 3 weeks. A list issued by the CZ Ministry of Health specifies which specific disorders are the subject of the spa care.
In general it applies that the goal of spa care is to complete the therapeutic process in relation to care in hospitals or specialist outpatient clinics, for instance following operations or injuries. For chronic illnesses spa therapy should stabilise the patient’s condition and progression of his illness. This also includes education, for instance if someone is found to have diabetes. In this case the goal of the spa therapy is to familiarise the patient with the illness and possible future risks.
Important spa sites and indications
Bechyně
(map) – disroders of the musculoskeletal system
Bludov
(map) – disorders of the metabolism (children and youth), disorders of the breathing apparatus (children and youth), disorders of the musculoskeletal system (children and youth + adults).
Darkov – Karviná (map) – disorders of the musculoskeletal system, specialising in timely post-operative physiotherapy for artificial joint replacements, nervous disorders, skin disorders – burn scar physiotherapy.
Františkovy Lázně
(map) – disorders of the circulatory system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the digestive system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, nervous disorders, skin disorders, gynaecological disroders.
Hodonín (map) – disorders of the musculoskeletal system, nervous disorders, skin disorders, gynaecological disorders.
Jáchymov (map) – disorders of the musculoskeletal system, disorders of the peripheral nervous system, metabolic disorders, skin disorders, CNS disorders, post-operative and post-traumatic therapy, osteoporosis.
Jánské Lázně (map) – disorders of the musculoskeletal system, nervous disorders, oncological disease, non-tuberculosis diseases of the respiratory system, skin disorders.
Jeseník (map) – disorders of the upper and lower airways, the circulatory system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, mental disorders, skin and gynaecological disorders, in recent years primarily preventive relaxation-physiotherapeutic stays and curative stays for restoring physical and mental energy.
Karlova Studánka0
(map) – oncological diseases, disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, disorders of the circulatory system.
Carlsbad1
(map) – disorders of the circulatory system, disorders of the digestive system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Klimkovice2
(map) – disorders of the circulatory system, disorders of the digestive system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Konstantinovy Lázně3
(map) – heart disease, disorders of the digestive system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Lázně Bělohrad4
(map) – disorders of the musculoskeletal system, neurological disorders, gynaecological disorders, skin disorders, oncological disease.
Lázně Bohdaneč5
(map) – disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Lázně Kynžvart6
(map) – disorders of the respiratory system, skin disorders, kidney and urinary tract disorders.
Lázně Libverda7
(map) – heart disease and disorders of the cardiovascular system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, nervous disorders (for a detailed overview, see list of indications).
Lipová Lázně8
(map) – metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, (i.e. obesity, diabetes, post-operative care of patients following operations of the thyroid gland), disorders of the musculoskeletal system, skin disorders.
Luhačovice9
(map) – disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the digestive system, metabolic disorders, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, disorders of the circulatory system, oncological disease.
0 Mariánské Lázně 0
(map) – disorders of the circulatory system, disorders of the digestive system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the respiratory system, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, kidney and urinary tract disorders.
1 Poděbrady 1
(map) – disorders of the circulatory system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
2 Teplice nad Bečvou 2
(map) – disorders of the circulatory system, metabolic and endocrine gland disorders, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
3 Velichovky 3
(map) – nervous disorders, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.