Effectively Relieve Chronic Pain

Power from the healing gallery

Chronic pain is one of the most common and yet most underestimated widespread diseases. Around one in five Europeans live with it – often for years. Those affected describe the pain as a constant companion that robs them of their zest for life, restricts their movements, and can make even everyday tasks a torment.

Many sufferers resort to medication to cope with the pain. These often help in the short term, but prolonged use can lead to side effects such as stomach problems, organ damage, or dependence. This makes it all the more important to use alternative forms of therapy with few side effects at an early stage – such as natural radon heat therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery. Here, radon, heat, and high humidity work together to combat the causes and symptoms of chronic pain. Studies show that the relief can last up to nine months – without the side effects of conventional painkillers.

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Chronic Pain – Causes, Symptoms and Progression

Pain is considered chronic if it lasts longer than three months. It often starts with a clear cause, such as an injury or inflammation. However, if the stimulus persists or the nervous system is stimulated over a longer period of time, the perception of pain changes: the nervous system switches to "permanent alert." Nerve cells and the brain "remember" pain stimuli and become increasingly sensitive. This so-called pain memory means that symptoms can persist even without an acute trigger.

Typical symptoms include:

Persistent or recurring pain in muscles, joints, or nerves
Restricted mobility and strength
Accompanying symptoms such as exhaustion, sleep disorders, mood swings, or concentration problems

Many sufferers move less in order to avoid the pain—but this protective posture often makes the situation worse. Muscles deteriorate, mobility continues to decline, and the pain intensifies. Early, holistic therapeutic approaches are therefore crucial—not only for relief, but also to slow the progression of the disease.

How does treatment in the Healing Gallery help with chronic pain?

Chronic pain is difficult to cure—but its specific effects can be alleviated. Three natural factors come together in the Gastein Healing Gallery:

Radon-rich air
Temperatures between 37 and 41.5 °C
High humidity (70–100%)

This combination leads to slight overheating of the body (hyperthermia), which relaxes muscles, increases blood circulation, and stabilizes the immune system. Radon is absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract and stimulates the body to produce anti-inflammatory messenger substances such as TGF-beta. At the same time, the activity of pain-promoting substances such as substance P is reduced. This slows down inflammatory processes, raises the pain threshold, and alleviates symptoms.

The heat effect also acts as a deep heat therapy – pain is noticeably relieved and stiffness is reduced. As part of a course of treatment, several visits to the tunnel are usually made, depending on the clinical picture and heat tolerance.

Studies show: Radon provides lasting pain relief

Several scientific studies—including the international multicenter randomized IMuRa study—confirm the benefits of treatment in the Healing Gallery for chronic pain:

Long-lasting pain relief over several months
Improved mobility and function in everyday life
Significantly reduced need for pain medication

The positive effects last for up to nine months on average. Many patients even report that planned pain therapies or operations could be delayed or avoided . Chronic pain is often incurable – but its impact can be effectively and naturally reduced. Treatment in the Gastein Healing Gallery enables those affected to regain a better quality of life: less pain, more movement, more freedom.

Close-up of a woman putting on her bathrobe at the bathrobe station after entering the radon tunnel.

Spa treatments cannot eliminate chronic pain, but they do give many people back some of their zest for life—and for months at a time.

Portrait of Dr. Julia Evangelist in front of the Gastein Healing Gallery

Dr. Julia Evangelist, MD

Doctor at the Gastein Healing Gallery

Patients tell their stories

Experience reports

Rosa-Hermine Biermeier

72, Wolkersdorf, Austria

Rosa (69) has been suffering from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years. At first, she was even confined to a wheelchair. She describes the Gastein Healing Gallery as "a gift." After a course of treatment, she no longer needs painkillers for many months. We spoke to her about her experiences with rheumatoid arthritis:

To the experience report

Birgit B.

Saxony, Germany

Pain dominated her life for years—until Birgit B. from Saxony found a way to manage her osteoarthritis without medication. In this interview, she explains how a treatment program at the Gastein Healing Gallery has enabled her to walk, sleep, and enjoy life again. A story full of hope and a new quality of life.

To the experience report

Kerstin Manke

62, Stadthagen, Germany

"Climbing stairs used to be torture for me, but now I'm jogging 7 km again," says Kerstin Manke, delighted with the successful treatment of her polyarthritis in the Gastein Healing Gallery.

To the experience report

Gisela Madlener

74, Munich, Germany

I come here regularly for treatment, and even after 35 years, I am still able to keep my rheumatic symptoms under control and largely avoid medication! says Gisela, delighted with the successful therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery.

To the experience report

Eva Theile

72, Ilmenau, Germany

I have been coming to the healing gallery for treatment every year since 2013. Afterwards, I have less pain for about 6 months, need to take less medication, and can move around much better! says Eva Theile, delighted with the successful therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery.

To the experience report

Rosa-Hermine Biermeier

72, Wolkersdorf, Austria

"I have been suffering from chronic polyarthritis since an acute flare-up in 2002. Although I responded well to cortisone therapy, I had to contend with severe side effects. A chance recommendation led me to the healing gallery, which helped me immensely from the very first time," says Rosa-Hermine Biermeier, who has been diagnosed with chronic polyarthritis.

To the experience report

Healing Gallery Treatments in Gastein

Therapy & Services

Radon therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery is tailor-made: doctors generally recommend eight to twelve sessions in the warm Healing Gallery. Each session lasts around one hour, during which time the combination of radon, warmth, and humidity has an intense effect.

Procedure

A train takes patients directly into the interior of the mountain, where the body relaxes at a constant temperature of over 37.5 °C and high humidity. The radon-rich climate has a powerful effect on inflammatory processes, the immune system, and pain receptors.

Therapy Procedure

Complementary Therapies

Depending on individual needs, the stay in the Healing Gallery can be supplemented by physical treatments such as massages, exercise therapy, or physical therapy. This provides ideal support for the recovery process.

Physical Therapies

Prices & Reimbursement

Therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery is recognized by health insurance companies in Austria, Germany, and South Tyrol. However, many patients also come to the Healing Gallery as self-payers.

Prices & Reimbursement

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