Frequently Asked Questions

Aside from classic massages, in the Health Center and Beauty World of Alpentherme Gastein we also offer a selection of special massages as well as massages for pure relaxation.

The health center has barrier-free amentities for people with handicaps.

The therapy program is designed by the spa physician in consultation with the guest.

Fundamentally, you cannot choose where you stay, though you may state your preferences on the application form. Alpentherme Gastein Health Center specializes in conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Local thermal water is used as a natural curative. If your preferred institution has direct-billing arrangements with your insurance provider and offers appropriate therapy for your symptoms, approval for that institution will generally be granted.

No, you do not have an automatic right to insurance-financed therapy or preventive care. This is determined by the insurance provider in question. Contact your personal insurance provider for further assistance.

Pain affecting the musculoskeletal system may indicate the need for thermal radon therapy in combination with motion therapy, which in turn may be covered by your insurance provider.

They may indeed, since the benefits of radon therapy include pain alleviation. Of course, you will need to keep taking the medications which you have been prescribed and continue to do your osteoporosis exercises. Lymphatic drainage has also proven effective in the form of gentle massage.

No.

No.

Yes, radon therapy is a very good treatment for neuralgia.

The pools of Alpentherme Gastein are filled with thermal water from which the radon has been removed.

Therapy institutions in Gastein are located at elevations between 960 and 1280 m above sea level, where there is plenty of oxygen in the air and there is absolutely no risk for heart patients. To the contrary, the ability of the blood to bind oxygen is actually stimulated, which means you will have even more oxygen in your blood. This same effect is harnessed by athletes when they undergo altitude training.

• allow plenty of time for your treatments
• strictly adhere to scheduled rest and quiet periods
• don’t overly stress yourself physically on the side – strolls, relaxed walks, cycling are permitted
• drink plenty of fluids

If you are manifesting a physical complaint, your residential period will generally be 3-4 weeks. For milder issues or prevention, good successes can usually be achieved with fewer treatments.

The beginnings of bathing therapy in Gastein valley go all the way back to the 14^th century. Bad Hofgastein became a spa destination in the 19^th century (due to lack of space in Bad Gastein), after Emperor Franz I granted permission in 1828 for the building of a pipeline from Bad Gastein to Bad Hofgastein. Since that time,  Bad Hofgastein has received around 1 million liters of thermal water (from the Elisabethquelle) every single day from a total outflow of 4.5 million liters.

Normally twice every 5 years.

There is not a single proven case of cancer being caused by radon in therapeutic doses. In fact, some studies (Cohen, USA) suggest this kind of low-dosage exposure might even afford some level of protection against cancer.

Centuries of experience have shown that radon therapy may indeed help with this specific problem, with positive “side effects”.

You should definitely bring your most recent medical reports with you to your checkup with our spa physicians. In consultation with you, the doctor will then decide how much heat therapy you should currently be exposed to.

Yes, you shouldn’t take a shower for around 1 hour after your thermal bath, since the radon is also absorbed through your skin and some of the pain relief is brought about by radon deposits in the skin.

No.

Naturally. If s/he also wishes to participate in an insurance-financed therapy program, s/he will also need to get approval from their own insurance provider. We are also happy to offer you a customized health package for your companion if the insurance provider does not cover them. Our therapy department will be happy to advise you about your different options!

You may object to that decision, submitting written support from your attending physician. Of course, you also have the option of paying for your health stay yourself. Our team in the therapy department will be happy to talk to you about your various opportunities and our therapy packages.

Gastein thermal water is weakly mineralized and contains the natural noble gas radon. It is used as a therapeutic in our Health Center as ordered by a physician. The thermal water at Alpentherme Gastein has had the radon removed.

Here you can find a list of medical indications.

Due to the frequent water treatments, your skin will be more inclined to dry out, plus the skin is stimulated both mechanically and thermically in the course of treatments. It is important to treat your skin regularly, up to 3 times a day, with moisturizing skin creams and body milks.

A radon bath is a special form of therapy in which radon-containing water is used for medical and therapeutic purposes, such as in the treatment of rheumatic or neurological conditions. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. In a radon bath, the water is enriched with radon, which enters the body through the skin and respiration, thereby unfolding its therapeutic effects.

GVA is a holistic, modular therapy program intended to aid in the treatment of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. For further information, read more about the Alpentherme Gastein Health Center.

Since May 2021, Kurzentrum Bad Hofgastein has been known as "Alpentherme Gastein Health Center". As part of a therapy stay in Salzburg or a complete health-focused holiday, you can combat an array of health problems and improve your general wellbeing. For further information on our therapy and health offers, please read more about the Alpentherme Gastein Gesundheitszentrum.

Due to the mountain elevations, sensitive people might take a brief time to adjust. However, the special climatic conditions here actually add to the effectiveness of the therapy programs offered in Gastein.

During a therapy program, we frequently observe that symptoms take a temporary turn for the worse.

General adverse reactions may include:

• Sleeplessness, increased need for sleep, restless sleep, fatigue
• Inner agitation, irritability, headache
• Abdominal complaints such as queasiness, indigestion, flatulence
• Heart palpitations, cardiovascular problems, dizziness
• Tingling in the limbs, muscle tension and muscle aches & pains
• Chronic dental problems may become acute
• During motion therapy, complaints due to muscle tension may become more pronounced, though pain should not be a factor.

• thermal water containing radon
• elevated radon levels in the air of the Gastein Thermal Gallery

To ensure a safe and meaningful treatment process, certain physical requirements are necessary:

• Sufficient cardiovascular resilience (e.g., for baths, cardio and strength training sessions)
• Sufficient independence in daily activities (e.g., personal hygiene, communication, orientation, etc.). Exceptions apply if you are accompanied by a caregiver.
• Sufficient mobility (e.g., walking between accommodation and therapy center, group exercises, etc.)
• In the case of recent surgeries, injuries, or acute illnesses before departure, the therapy stay must be postponed. In such cases, please consult our spa physician at Tel.: 06432/8293-204

• it should be at least 6 months ago
• blood pressure should be well adjusted and controlled   
• possible stroke causes (blood clots, auricular fibrillation) must have been treated

Gentle back massages and visits to Alpentherme Gastein (where we use de-radonized thermal water)  are also possible during pregnancy / breast feeding. However, for other treatments you should first consult your gynecologist.

Since the acute phase of a cardiac infarction is generally over after one year, radon therapy can once again be considered if you are able to achieve around 100 Watts in an ergometric stress test without a problem.

• your blood thinners must be correctly adjusted
• because your circumstances are different than at home, monitor your levels more frequently
• mechanical therapies (massage, electrotherapy) must be adapted as appropriate by the spa physician in order to avoid any danger of hematomas

If you are taking correctly dosed medications and monitor your blood pressure regularly, it will not be a problem during treatment.

Vascular diseases are not generally problematic when undergoing heat treatments if you do the following:

• expose yourself to cold water before and after heat treatments
• use cold veinous wraps as prescribed by the spa physician
• wear compression stockings
• walk a lot, elevate your legs
• take your vascular medication as prescribed
• consult the spa physician

Here you will find a full listing of our therapy offers.

• allow plenty of time for your treatments
• stick to the scheduled quiet times  
• moderation in all things, avoid hectic activities
• get plenty of sleep
• drink a lot (water, tea)
• give yourself intensive skin care with remoisturizing lotions

For the most part, it really doesn’t matter when you come here for therapy. Many patients like to come here in the autumn so that they will be better able to deal with their rheumatic symptoms once it turns cold.

If you are suffering from any kind of acute severe disease. Be particular cautious if you are suffering from severe heart disease, lung disease, mania, psychosis. There are no restrictions which are specific to Gastein.

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To your G.P. or a medical specialist.

If your therapy application is approved, your health-insurance provider may cover most of the costs. Potentially, you might have to pay a deductible. For further details, please consult the website of your insurance provider.

• Only a local physician knows and has specific experience with the radon-specific characteristics of our thermal water
• Provincial law requires a medical examination by a Gastein spa physician
• Furthermore, you may physically respond quite differently at your therapy destination than at home