Clients of the Janské Lázně Spa can exercise on the most modern rehabilitation robotic machines during their treatment and rehabilitation. They are one of the few in the Czech Republic to use, for example, the ALTER G anti-gravity trainer developed by NASA. The client who is walking on it recently had hip surgery and entered it for the first time as part of the therapy. She is strapped into special neoprene pants, so she is enclosed from the waist down in a transparent package resembling an inflated bubble. The whole image has a literally cosmic feel.
"This is a classic electric treadmill, placed in a closed space, in which we simulate an anti-gravity environment, i.e. an environment with less gravity, by directing the pressure. The patient's weight is "reduced" to one fifth for the duration of the exercise, so she is buoyed almost as if she were walking on the moon," explains the head of rehabilitation Lenka Janovcová. The client steps lightly and gracefully, from the heel across the entire foot to the toe, alternating legs. She came from Pilsen, this is her first time in Janské Lázně, and she is satisfied: "I enjoy this exercise and I'm already looking forward to running." She is followed by physiotherapy assistant Vladimíra Prouzová: "By relieving the joints, walking is more pleasant and she does not overload the healthy leg to relieve the operated one. It will therefore be much easier for her to soon stand fully on both legs without pain."
Clamping to a sling and cage with straps and ropes – or as if it were gravity
Right next to it is another cutting-edge computer-assisted rehabilitation device for walking training. It is called LiteGait and is used by patients who are completely dependent on the help of another person or are not sure when walking and could fall. "In this case, we provide relief not by floating, but by using a sling. The exercise is safe and gentle," assures Lenka Janovcová.
In the next room, ropes and straps attract attention – above a couch in a “cage”. “It really resembles a classic cage, but without a gate,” smiles Lenka Janovcová. This therapeutic device allows physiotherapists to exercise with a patient in a weighted position on a couch – lying on their back, on their stomach, on their side, and even sitting, using various ropes, straps, and slings. They can also exercise with patients in wheelchairs. The physiotherapist shows how to secure the client to the sling according to the needs of the prescribed exercise, and the client then performs the exercises according to the instructions to the extent that they can handle them. “The client can also exercise with weights or against resistance, there are simply many options,” adds Lenka Janovcová. And the main charm of the sling? “When you exercise alone, you still have to overcome gravity, it pulls your limbs towards the ground. Exercises in a sling and in a weighted position allow you to do a greater range of movements.” Meanwhile, physiotherapist Kryštof Majerski moves the hooks on the patient's leg suspension for another exercise. "I've had clients ask me many times to take a picture of the 'bat' position when suspended in a cage," he smiles.
Robots help children in Vesna with treatment and recovery
Also in the children's health resort in Janské Lázně, some devices literally "come to life" and the children like it. They have a state-of-the-art device for hand and finger rehabilitation - the Gloreha robotic glove. Occupational therapist Kateřina Kořínková has just put a glove with fingers on a six-year-old patient, on which she puts on clamps connected to a control panel. "The glove is light and allows free and smooth movement for various exercises," she says and starts the program for flexion (closing) and extension (opening) of individual fingers. The little client watches the simulated movements of her own hand as a "robot" on the computer screen in a 3D program and listens to the instructions: "Lucka, now we're closing the fingers - index finger, ring finger, each one separately." The hand resembles the scissor-handed Edward from the movie, and the little girl, who is being treated here after a complicated fracture, enjoys it. Children also practice here in the treatment of severe motor, neurological and oncological diseases.
We meet 17-year-old Klárka, who has been going to Janské Lázně for therapeutic exercises since she was five years old, when she suffered a serious injury in a car accident, in the electrotherapy department of the Vesna Children's Hospital. They also have something new here. The Extremiter vacuum device helps treat swelling of the limbs by "artificially" increasing the blood supply to the limb. "We place the patient's leg or arm to be treated in its transparent cylindrical part and seal it with a special closure. It is then alternately affected by negative pressure and positive pressure, which are created inside the cylinder. As a result of the device working on the principle of positive pressure and negative pressure, blood flow to the tissue is restored, metabolism is stimulated and unwanted substances are washed away," explains therapist Hana Tichá.
Experts are at the heart of the spa
"We are pleased that effective modern devices serve our clients in their return to life. Hand in hand with the unique approach of local experts - physiotherapists and occupational therapists and their "heartfelt" care for our clients, the Janské Lázně Spa maintains a worldwide reputation," said the spa's marketing specialist Zuzana Pichlová.
Anyone can come and swim in the mineral water
You don't have to be sick to try the care at Janské Lázně. Just choose from the relaxation and treatment packages offered at www.janskelazne.com and stay in the newly renovated historic spa hotel Terra*** Superior. "All rooms have bathrooms with showers, from which you can let tropical rain fall on you, while the autumn wind blows outside or snow flies. From the hotel you can just walk to the Aquacentrum in your bathrobe and swim in the mineral water in the pool or relax in the whirlpools with thermal mineral water," explains Zuzana Pichlová. She adds that this is exactly the bicarbonate-calcium-sodium type of water. The spa collects this mineral water from two springs - Janov and Černý, and people encounter it in the bathtubs and all the pools of the spa. There are several legends associated with the discovery of the springs. Are you curious? The locals will tell you.
