Hardly any stiffness thanks to the healing gallery

Ankylosing spondylitis:

These are the special moments in the life of a healing gallery employee: you are sitting unsuspectingly at your desk, there is a knock at the door, and a few moments later a healing gallery guest is standing in the office beaming with joy because they are so thrilled with the success of their treatment. In the case of Gotthard Baumann, our employee even had the pleasure of watching him perform a little "dance," impressively demonstrating that even after 36 years of suffering from Bechterew's disease, he is still completely mobile and only slightly stiff thanks to the healing gallery treatments. We spoke with the fun-loving retiree from Bavaria:

Patient reports – suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for 36 years

Mr. Baumann, you have been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for more than half your life. How was the disease diagnosed back then?

Patient with ankylosing spondylitis in the outdoor area of the Gastein Healing Gallery during the coronavirus pandemic.

"It was 1984, and I was in incredible pain, especially in my spine. But somehow my entire musculoskeletal system was affected. I suffered from heel spurs, my ankle and knee joints were swollen and painful, so that I could hardly walk properly. After all, I was only 30 years old at the time."

How did you feel when you found out you had ankylosing spondylitis?

"That was a bitter blow for me. I felt too young for something like that. As a single father, it was a very difficult time for me."

But you didn't just accept the pain and the diagnosis?

Patient with ankylosing spondylitis at the reception desk during registration during the coronavirus pandemic.

"No! At 35, I was supposed to retire. I refused. You can't retire at 35, can you? I tried lots of things. Sulfur treatments and mud baths, but nothing helped. I took medication, even the maximum dose of diclofenac for a year. But that didn't help either. I developed an allergy to the medication and eventually even took cortisone, which helped a little."

How did you finally come across the Gastein Healing Gallery?

My orthopedist advised me to try a course of treatment in the healing gallery. So two years after my diagnosis, 34 years ago, I went to Gastein for treatment for the first time.

Since then, there have been 17 treatments. They must have been successful.

"Yes! And what a difference! The first time, I was on a health regimen for seven weeks. After that, I was jumping around like a young deer. I felt absolutely healthy for a full 11 months, without any painkillers."

What exactly did the treatment achieve?

Patient with Bechterew's disease in a train compartment in the Gastein Healing Gallery during the coronavirus pandemic.

"It has alleviated my symptoms on all levels. In addition to the pain I often experienced even with slight hypothermia, the night sweats I often suffered from, especially during flare-ups, have also disappeared. Before the treatment, I had the typical Bechterew's gait: my shoulders were hunched forward and I swayed when walking due to stiff hips. Like a "duck walk." Since my first treatment in the healing gallery, I no longer have this problem. My stiffness has almost completely disappeared, I am mobile and I feel good. On the drive home, I was surprised to discover that I could look over my shoulder again without any problems. It works perfectly again, thanks to the healing gallery. When I was younger, visiting the healing cave allowed me to lead a completely normal life again. Surfing, sailing, and skiing, for example. That's not so important anymore. When I go for treatment, I always feel the benefits, get through the cold season well, and don't get the flu or anything like that."

And in the tunnel itself, how do you feel about the entrances?

"The first few times I drove in, it was a bit like an adventure. As a young man, I was even allowed to ride up front on the locomotive, which was great. Today, I'm an old hand when it comes to driving in."

What do you do for your health outside the mine?

"I tried radon baths once, but they weren't very beneficial here. For me, the healing gallery is more important than any medication. And secondly, the right kind of exercise, such as exercises to combat stiffness, is very important. I've been doing that from the beginning, because once you've become stiff as a Bechterew's patient, it's too late. That's why you should go to the healing gallery early on and do exercises from the start.

Now that you are retired, how are you enjoying your time?

Patient with Bechterew's disease in front of the Erzader in the healing gallery during the coronavirus pandemic.

Building my house is keeping me busy at the moment, and I also have to work because I was self-employed for many years and receive hardly any pension. But I do take care of myself. That includes a nap after lunch, and I treat myself to breakfast at a café every morning. I am very happy and in very good health.

Thank you very much for the open conversation.