Health tourism is the answer for those looking for care combining modern technology and traditional methods. While the U.S. has become reliant on magic pills for healing, places like India and Iran are at the forefront of medicine with new innovative techniques for treatment as well as time honored traditions and natural therapies for healing.

Hot bath therapies have been used since before the 18th century. The Romans used hot bath houses as part of their daily living. Geysers and hot springs have been used for centuries for their beneficial salt and mineral content. One might even make the argument that health tourism began with the hot spring. There are four types of hot spring therapy centers now available. Listed below are the four types of centers with a brief description of each. There is also an anecdote about a new therapy used in northern Iran.

Daily Hot Bath centers. These are centers that offer day treatments. No accommodations are available for over night stays or long-term programs of health and nutrition.

Destination Hot Bath centers: Usually include many more amenities than just the hot bath. Health plans, special detox dietary programs and spiritual wellness programs are available. These function as mind and body rehabilitation centers for those wanting to reconnect and rejuvenate.

Hot Bath Hotels: Simply hotels which offer hot baths as one of their amenities.

Hot Bath Therapy centers: similar to the destination hot bath, these centers focus on the whole body, mind and spirit. Often run by doctors and professionals in the medical field, the treatment received is of the highest caliber. In these centers specialist will address specific issues and create an individualized program for each patient. Modern treatment therapies are coupled with traditional hot bath and mineral treatments.

Mud from Orumieh Lake in Iran has been found to have curative effects. The lake is located in the seismically active northern region of Iran. Mud from the lake is used along with salts and minerals in rubs and masks. The lake is located in the seismically active northern region of Iran.