Via practica 6/2025
Speleotherapy in the treatment of respiratory diseases
Speleotherapy as a promising form of complementary treatment for patients, particularly those with respiratory diseases. With increasing industrialization and technological development, the incidence of respiratory illnesses is also rising, creating a need to explore new therapeutic options. Caves, historically used by humans as shelters, only became the focus of therapeutic interest in the 19th century, with their unique microclimatic conditions and air composition being key to their healing effects. Speleotherapy is an interdisciplinary field that combines knowledge from medicine, geology, climatology, and ecology. Its effects are not limited to the respiratory system but impact the human body comprehensively, with the physical and chemical properties of caves – including water, rocks, stalactite formations, and resident microflora – playing a significant role. Slovakia is rich in caves, yet the potential of most remains underutilized. In neighboring Hungary, speleotherapy is regularly practiced in several caves, whereas in Slovakia, these opportunities are currently limited to two caves, even as the number of patients with respiratory conditions continues to grow. The article highlights the molecular and physiological mechanisms through which cave air affects the body and supports these claims with selected studies. The aim is to inform readers and reduce skepticism about speleotherapy, emphasizing its beneficial effects and demonstrating that natural environments can be an effective part of both treatment and rehabilitation. Speleotherapy thus represents a unique combination of natural potential and scientifically grounded therapeutic approaches that can be effectively utilized for human health.
Keywords: speleotherapy, respiratory diseases, pulmonary rehabilitation.
