PARE0010 Naturally healing the chronic pain and health maintenance
Authors: A. Phoka Charalambous
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Everyday life is not easy for people with RMDs. Chronic Pain is the "roommate" usually on patient's life. Patients usually try to find other ways of confronting their symptoms, beyond drugs or other classic options such as physiotherapy. One of these ways that often people with RMD's are discussing is the treatment with Natural Healing Sources based on water which is used in various cultures from ancient times. Cyprus League Against Rheumatism gives these opportunities to the members every year; by organizing excursions in Natural healing resorts at least two times per year. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of organizing therapeutic trips to therapeutic treatment centers – Natural Healing Resorts, was to give members the opportunity to get acquainted with and experience this mode of therapy, with team approached on rehabilitation treatments, for patients who cannot afford to visit as individuals because of the cost or to travel as individuals tourists and they need extra services and attention. In addition to therapeutic qualities, it would also give psycho-social affiliation to people who would participate, which CYPLAR gives a lot of insight into all of its programs <h3>Methods</h3> In 2012 CYPLAR approach the Ayioi Anaryiroi Natural Healing Resort &amp; Spa which is situated in Miliou, a small village in Paphos area, and their thermal waters are from ancient times, organized the first trip to this healing Resort. In 2014 CYPLAR approached a Cypriot travel agency, and asked for help to organize a trip in Sandanski, in Bulgaria, as after a research find that it is a very good and famous thermal water springs and not too far from Cyprus so was easy to access and not too expensive. <h3>Results</h3> The trip to Ayioi Anaryiroi Natural healing Resort &amp; Spa was very successful so every year at least one time is organized a trip for a weekend. The difference for the people with RMDs participated in this trip instead of going alone, is that CYPLAR is having better rates for members for this special weekend, and also the therapeutic treatments during this weekend are targeted on RMD's. Another ad is that people are coming close to each other, bonding, and sharing their experiences. Every time around 20 people with RMD's are participating on these trips. CYPLAR members have all year around discount. Future Goal is to be organized twice times per year. The trip to Sandanski is organized every year in July (3 times until now).It is a ten days program and includes examination, target treatments based on each participant and his/her needs, also include sightseeing tours in the area, entertainment dinners, and many other amenities. It is a very succeed therapeutic excursion that 40 people are participating and has a lot of good results. CYPLAR conducted a <b>survey</b> among the participant of the last trip in July 2017 and the results are very encouragingly to continue and have these excursions for more and more years. At the question "<b>Do you want to go again in Sandanski with Cyplar?</b>" The answer was <b>Yes</b> for the <b>95%</b> of the participants. Results showed also the need for people with RMDs to have this kind of therapies in their life and the beneficial effects on their health status. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Patients with RMD's need these types of therapy for their body health but also for their psychosocial improvement. CYPLAR will continue to support the members with these two excursions but also is trying to find new resorts to enrich the program and give more opportunities for members. <h3>References</h3> Survey – Participants Sandanski 2017 -CYPLAR <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared