Inside, the rising temperatures and humidity are palpable. Silence is encouraged, as it is a space for meditation and healing. Men and women are separated into different galleries with comfortable beds for rest. The high humidity and semi-dark space can feel claustrophobic, but the staff is helpful and reassuring. The experience is reminiscent of a sweat lodge but with a focus on quiet rest and healing energy.
Your mind gets challenged with the quietness of the space. There’s a certain discomfort with the heat, but you also feel the power of the mountain, which has a grounding effect. It is a matter of embracing the situation and letting go of mental concepts, and just completely receiving the healing powers at this magical place. You are almost at the core of a mountain, which could also mean you are traveling inwards to your own core to find self-healing, to boost your immune system.
After 20 minutes, a paramedic checks on everyone, ensuring well-being. Finally, the time is up, and we board the train back to the main station. The return journey brings a sense of humbleness and gratitude. The fresh air, sunlight, and sounds of birds symbolize a rebirth, reminding us of the healing power of the mountain and the journey inward to find stillness and strength.
Some patients compare the experience to a mountain birth. You go deep into the mountain’s core, let go of the outside world, receive strength, and come back through a kind of birth canal back to life, carrying symbolically the strength of the mountain within you. An experience that is not only scientifically proven but also has a deep spiritual connection of renewal and rebirth
Key Facts and Therapy Overview
Suitable Conditions: Radon-heat therapy effectively treats rheumatic complaints, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory issues, and skin conditions. It is especially beneficial for ankylosing spondylitis, making the Gastein Healing Gallery the world’s largest therapy center for this condition.
Radon Gas: Radon, a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas, is absorbed through lung and skin. It has been used in low doses for therapeutic purposes for hundreds of years due to its high effectiveness.
Physical Effects: Radon is a mild alpha radiation, which stimulating cell repair mechanisms and reducing inflammatory cells and pain transmitter in the body.
Tropical Climate Effects: High temperatures (above 37.5°C) and humidity (up to 100%) induce hyperthermia, a therapeutic fever that relaxes muscles and enhances radon absorption.
Duration of Benefits: Patients report significant pain relief, reduced medication use, and improved quality of life for up to nine months. Many patients undergo therapy once or twice a year, often needing no additional medication in between.
Therapy Process: Patients travel by train to different therapy stations inside the mountain, spending about one hour per session lying down.
Therapy Frequency: A typical course lasts two to three weeks, with six to twelve one-hour sessions.
Unique Environment: Unlike other healing galleries that use pure, allergen-free air, Gastein combines radon with high temperature and humidity to treat various conditions beyond respiratory diseases.
Effects of Temperature and Humidity: The combination of high temperature (37.5 to 41.5°C) and humidity (70 to 100%) induces mild hyperthermia, relaxing muscles and stabilizing the immune system, enhancing radon absorption.
Scientific Evidence: Numerous studies confirm the success of radon-heat therapy in reducing pain, functional limitations, and medication use for conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative back and joint conditions. The Gastein Research Institute continues to study its effectiveness on other pathologies.
Whenever you are in Austria – dont miss out this unique healing opportunity, even one train ride is probably not enough to work on severe health issues. Plan a 2-3 week trip into the beautiful austrian alps and Bad Gastein, to not only enjoy healing at the stollen – but also to embrace in natural wonder, amazing hospitality and a unique “ wes Anderson” style old GRand hotel feel – Bad Gastein gets re discovered again – and what was good for the kings and queens in the 18th hundredts who flocked to Bad Gastein – still works. The power of nature and its amazing healing qualities.
Thank you Bad Gastein Heilstollen – you are truly a place of healing – we will come back for sure
For more information, please visit www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com
