ARTICLE BY DR. DALIA VOSYLIENĖ OF “GRAND SPA LIETUVA”: IT’S A MISTAKE TO WAIT UNTIL THE BODY STARTS SENDING WARNING SIGNALS

How many years we will live is only one part of the longevity equation. Another, no less important, is how we will live those years. Will we remain mobile, independent and able to work? Will we be able to continue doing the activities we enjoy?

These questions are also changing the way we approach our health: instead of waiting for pain or illness to appear, we are increasingly looking for ways to take care of our bodies in advance. One of them is preventive rehabilitation.

Dalia Vosylienė, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at “Grand SPA Lietuva”, says she sees this change in her practice as well. People from very different walks of life come to restore their strength after intense periods of activity. She emphasizes that an injury or physically demanding daily work is not necessary for the body to need help. For modern people, long hours of sitting, maintaining the same body position for extended periods, low physical activity, an intense pace of work and constant emotional stress can be equally challenging. “All of this wears down not only our musculoskeletal system but also our nervous system. Therefore, the goal of preventive rehabilitation is to help the muscles function properly, reduce emotional tension and, at the same time, ensure that a person remains productive, active and feels well for as long as possible,” the physician says.

Pain is already an extreme warning signal

Nevertheless, many people seek professional help only when their body no longer allows them to ignore the problem. Their back or joints begin to hurt, movement becomes restricted, and everyday activities become more difficult. D. Vosylienė points out that pain is usually not the first sign that the body needs more attention – much subtler signals may indicate excessive strain or exhaustion well before pain appears.

“Usually, pain is the most extreme signal sent by our body. Fatigue, insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite or other changes in well-being are already sufficient reasons to pay more attention to your body and consider rehabilitation or wellness measures,” the physician says.

According to D. Vosylienė, the essence of preventive rehabilitation is to take a comprehensive approach to a person’s health. Physical activity, emotional well-being and adequate rest are closely interconnected, so a comprehensive approach helps preserve well-being, ability to work and quality of life for as long as possible.

Traditional methods alongside modern technologies

Cryotherapy, therapeutic mud, massages, mineral baths – when going to a SPA or wellness center, it is easy to make a list in advance of the treatments you would like to try. Although some patients arrive already knowing exactly which treatments they would like, the physician says that professional assessment is the most important thing. Not everything that seems beneficial is actually suitable for a particular person, so a specialist consultation is useful even when someone comes to a wellness center simply to relax or strengthen their body.

“We live in the age of technology, but nothing has yet replaced human contact and conversation. As specialists, it is important for us to assess not only a person’s health condition or the symptoms they experience, but also to better understand their lifestyle – when they become tired, experience discomfort or find it harder to concentrate. All of this helps us better understand individual needs and select the most appropriate rehabilitation measures,” the physician says.

Modern equipment and what others do not have

Although rehabilitation options are constantly expanding, one of its most important principles remains the same – movement. Therefore, according to D. Vosylienė, physiotherapy still plays an important role in rehabilitation today, but the range of forms and equipment used has become much broader.

For example, cycling on a stationary bike in a vacuum not only provides physical exercise but also helps improve microcirculation, stimulate lymphatic flow and promote muscle recovery, while the “Redcord” system used in rehabilitation makes it possible to activate the necessary muscles and improve coordination and balance.

Alongside traditional methods that have long been used in resorts – mineral water, therapeutic mud treatments and massages – modern technologies are also employed. One of them is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, carried out in a special hyperbaric chamber. During the procedure, the body receives oxygen in an environment with increased pressure. This method is used to improve tissue oxygenation and activate metabolic processes.

Another popular treatment among clients is whole-body cryotherapy, during which the body is exposed to extremely low temperatures for a short period. It may be used to reduce pain and muscle tension, promote recovery and improve overall well-being.

According to the physician, some of the technologies available at “Grand SPA Lietuva” have no equivalent anywhere else in the Druskininkai resort. All of this is combined with a strong physiotherapy base and a professional team.

Individualized medical rehabilitation programs for longevity and health

D. Vosylienė points out that many things that are important for our health are actually very simple – regular physical activity, a balanced work-and-rest routine, proper nutrition, and the ability to stop in time and pay attention to how we feel. However, in the intensity of everyday life, these are precisely the things that are easiest to push aside.

According to the physician, we can invest heavily in work, career or material well-being, but all of this loses some of its value if we do not also invest in our health.

“We live in a constant race – we want to keep our jobs, achieve more and earn more. But in all of this, we should first of all not forget ourselves,” says D. Vosylienė, reminding us that health should always come first.

One opportunity to invest in your health and well-being is the individualized medical rehabilitation program “BE EILIŲ” offered by “Grand SPA Lietuva”. During the program, following a comprehensive consultation with a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, an individual treatment plan is prepared according to the person’s health condition and treatment goals. It includes individual physiotherapy and selected treatments – therapeutic massage, a mineral bath, therapeutic mud applications, cryotherapy, physiotherapy, halotherapy, inhalations or other procedures.

The program can be chosen either with accommodation and meals or by using only the spa treatment center’s services. Rehabilitation with accommodation and meals costs from EUR 151 per day. Without accommodation and meals, the “Grand SPA Lietuva” treatment center’s services cost only EUR 69 per person per day when services are booked for a minimum of 5 days. If you have health insurance, you can pay for services provided at the “Grand SPA Lietuva” treatment center with a health insurance card (“Gjensidige”, “Seesam”, “Compensa Life”, “BTA”, ERGO Life Insurance SE).

For those who feel that their body needs a break and more attention, “Grand SPA Lietuva” also presents a new wellness program called “Sveikatos rezervas” (“Health Reserve”), focused on well-being, restoring the body’s resources and longevity. Its idea reflects one of the main principles of preventive rehabilitation – it is worth taking care of your well-being before the body begins sending signals of discomfort.

During the stay, a consultation with a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician is provided, and each person receives three treatments – a session in a hyperbaric chamber, phytotherapy and cryotherapy in a cryocabin. The program also includes accommodation, breakfast and lunch or dinner, unlimited access to the complex’s gym, water park and saunas, as well as mineral water from the drinking-water pavilion.

A few days consciously devoted to your body can become more than just a break from the pace of everyday life. They are also an opportunity to assess how you feel, restore your strength and begin developing habits that can help preserve energy, mobility and a good quality of life for as long as possible.

“Grand SPA Lietuva” – we will take care of you like a child. Completely.