The Slatinice Spa, located near Olomouc, was founded in the 16th century. At that time, a natural spring of moderately mineralized water containing hydrogen sulfide was discovered, which earned the spa its reputation. Today, the spa offers a variety of interesting spa and wellness stays with numerous exciting treatments. A new addition is hydrogen therapy. We discussed the current state of the spa with its director, Irena Vašicová.

Slatinice Spa is the first accredited medical spa in the Czech Republic. Could you briefly introduce its history? Slatinice Spa, a small family spa near Olomouc, was founded in the 16th century. A natural spring of moderately mineralized water containing hydrogen sulfide was discovered, which earned the spa its fame. This natural healing resource is beneficial for back and joint pain, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, post-operative conditions, and skin diseases, especially atopic eczema and psoriasis. The spa also treats oncological, neurological diseases, and partly circulatory system diseases today.

What kind of issues do your clients most often come to you with? Most often, clients come to us with musculoskeletal and nervous system issues. This includes clients receiving treatment in our specialized treatment institute, where we mainly treat patients after total joint replacements, injuries, or strokes, as well as spa clients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, extrapyramidal syndromes, and nerve and muscle degeneration. Each client receives an individualized treatment plan tailored to their current health condition to ensure the most effective treatment results. To treat musculoskeletal and nervous system diseases, we use individual and group rehabilitation exercises, sulfur bubble baths, whirlpool baths, classical and underwater massages, alternating foot baths, special baths, peat packs, paraffin wraps, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, ultrasound, mechanotherapy, and many other treatments. We are currently preparing a project to modernize the specialized treatment institute, which will include additional modern equipment.

What treatments does your spa offer? We use over 100 different treatments for both therapy and relaxation. These include sulfur and aromatic baths, therapeutic, underwater, and relaxation massages, various wraps and compresses, lymphatic drainage, inhalation therapy, thermotherapy, light therapy, swimming pools, saunas, private spa, and many other spa treatments.

How did you learn about the effects of molecular hydrogen? What are your thoughts on it? I encountered this topic about 10 years ago. I regularly drink hydrogen-enriched water from a bottle I’ve had at home for many years.

Into which treatments are you planning to integrate molecular hydrogen, and for which patients? The new offering in 2023 is hydrogen therapy, which in our spa involves hydrogen inhalation. This treatment is accompanied by a hydrogen drink. Hydrogen therapy is provided to clients in the new Therapy zone at the Balnea Spa House and can be purchased through our treatment scheduling or at the reception of our spa houses. I have personally tried hydrogen therapy in our spa several times and believe it will help all clients strengthen their health and boost immunity.

Spa complex - The oldest building is the Morava Spa House, dating from 1714. It houses a restaurant, a dining room for spa guests, a library, a heated sulfur pool, hydrotherapy facilities, and other treatment rooms. It is also the venue for cultural events. Guests of Slatinice Spa can choose from several types of accommodation in one of the spa houses. The spa park includes the Mánes Spa House. The Hanáčka Spa House was fully renovated in 2010 and is located 300 meters from the main complex. For clients who demand more privacy and comfort, the Majorka Pension is available, often used for weddings and celebrations, and also hosts a rich cultural program for spa guests. In 2014, the Balnea Spa House opened, standing on a gentle hill offering guests a beautiful view of the surroundings. The entire complex is an oasis of peace, making you feel as if you've stepped back in time.

Therapy zones - In January, a new Therapy zone opened at the spa, expanding the capacity of some treatments while introducing new ones. Treatments with expanded capacity include oxygen therapy, machine-assisted lymphatic drainage of the lower limbs, and dry carbon dioxide baths. New treatments include a dry massage bed and hydrogen therapy.

Hydrogen therapy can take many forms, but at Slatinice Spa, it involves inhaling molecular hydrogen and drinking hydrogen-enriched vitamin drinks. In general, hydrogen helps combat oxidative stress, has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, boosts performance, reduces fatigue, and speeds up recovery and convalescence after COVID-19. What specific health issues does it have a positive effect on? These include type II diabetes, pancreatitis, liver and intestinal inflammation, autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, insomnia, oncological diseases, kidney protection during inflammation, post-transplant, and during chemotherapy.

Slatinice Spa is an excellent choice, whether for convalescence or a family trip with children. In addition to therapeutic stays, it also offers spa wellness for two, three, or seven days, as well as various cultural activities. The highlight is our renowned spa cuisine.