Balneotherapy, Immune System, and Stress Response: A Hormetic Strategy?
review Grade B 2018 Open access
Authors: Gálvez, I., Torres-Piles, S.
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Key Findings
- Proposes hormesis model for balneotherapy — mild stress triggers adaptive responses
- Reviews immune system modulation through balneological treatments
- Connects stress response pathways to therapeutic benefits
Proposes a hormetic framework for understanding balneotherapy — the idea that mild physiological stress from thermal and chemical stimulation triggers beneficial adaptive responses in the immune and stress response systems. Important theoretical paper that explains why moderate-intensity peat treatments may be more effective than either no treatment or very intense treatment.
immunomodulatoryhormesisstress-responseimmune-systemmechanism