Belarus is a unique natural zone in which forests occupy a third of the entire territory. The northern part of the country is a lake region, where many water bodies are sources of clean and unique natural waters.
Forest Forests (sanatorium) are invitingly to admire forest beauties and improve their health. Vitebsk region of Belarus is included in the European region "Lake District". Over three thousand reservoirs are concentrated in the local territory. The healing air of coniferous forests, combined with the healing properties of groundwater, created all the prerequisites in order to arrange here numerous sanatoriums in the Vitebsk region.
Features of Belarusian health resorts
One of the main treatment methods here is the use of mineral waters. They are prescribed for internal use, as well as in the form of balneological treatment. Among the common types of medicinal baths, hydrogen sulfide, rhodone, iodine-bromine, carbon dioxide and coniferous are distinguished. Almost all sanatoriums in Belarus specialize in the treatment of the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems. Strengthening the healing process helps the general atmosphere of the beauty of the forest region, natural tranquility and silence.
Children's sanatoriums of the Vitebsk region include in their program a full range of restorative procedures. Traditional is therapeutic massage, mud treatment, the use of mineral waters, oxygen cocktails. In addition, in every health institution for adults there is a compulsory department for children. Therefore, the sanatoriums in Belarus can be considered intended for families. Medical appointments here are successfully combined with a cultural and entertainment program. Thanks to favorable conditions in these parts you can relax and be treated throughout the year.
The history of the resort
In the immediate vicinity of the small town of Ushichi are Forest Lakes (sanatorium). The Vitebsk region has a history of creating health resorts for more than five hundred years. The countdown of the spa industry began even under Peter the Great, who issued a special decree for this. In it, the Senate was ordered to search for healing sources that could help with various diseases. It was in those years that the Barkovshchinsky spring was opened, on the basis of which the "Forest Lakes" (sanatorium) were built today.
By the beginning of the nineteenth century, Belarus had provided wellness services to several private hospitals. They were very simply arranged and offered their visitors only two types of wellness treatments: taking lake baths and drinking mineral waters. About three hundred people underwent treatment in the “Forest Lakes” during the year. But the demand for healing services was constantly growing, so many patients settled at a billets in the nearest village.
The sanatorium successfully cured of rheumatism, epilepsy, paralysis, various skin diseases. Spa treatment helped women solve the problem of infertility. Only wealthy people could be given the opportunity to use the healing services of "Forest Lakes" (sanatorium). Vitebsk region received guests not only from nearby regions. Many people from Russian provinces came here, there were also Poles, French, Germans.
After the revolution of 1917, a new stage in the development of resorts began. The changes did not go around Forest Lakes (sanatorium). Vitebsk region was one of the first to respond to the call of the new government, aimed at reorienting sanatorium treatment in favor of the working people. The decree of the Soviet government “On medical areas of national importance” served as the basis for further development.
Location
The modern sanatorium "Forest Lakes" is located on the shore of a small lake Dolgoe, the length of which is about two kilometers, and the width reaches eight hundred meters. The depth of the reservoir in some places reaches thirty meters. The long is connected to many other lakes through channels. Sources of lake cascades are underground springs endowed with healing properties.
A fifty-kilometer zone separates the Forest Lakes (sanatorium) from industrial areas. Today Belarus can guarantee its guests absolutely clean air, the radiation background of which is within normal limits. The seclusion of a hydropathic institution in the thick of the forest creates additional protection against adverse environmental factors.
What diseases are treated in a sanatorium?
The main medical profile of the hydropathic institution is the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which include:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- gout;
- osteochondrosis;
- osteoarthrosis;
- synovitis;
- bursitis;
- myositis;
- various joint contractures.
In addition, the sanatorium successfully heals from concomitant diseases related to the circulatory system, breathing, and some cardiac problems. Spa treatments have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, kidneys, and urological diseases.
Thanks to a special treatment technique combining various methods, the Lesnoye Ozeri sanatorium managed to achieve the best success in the healing process. The reviews of numerous visitors to the hydropathic center also confirm the great benefit and healing power of mineral waters.
Wellness Methods
The main treatment methods that apply to the sanatoriums of the Vitebsk region are:
- balneotherapy - salt, mud, turpentine, mustard, coniferous, whirlpool baths;
- hydropathy - shower procedures (Charcot's souls, ascending, circular, needle, rain);
- drinking treatment - the systematic intake of mineral water;
- herbal medicine - the use of herbal infusions of a wide purpose;
- heat therapy - applications from paraffin, ozokerite, plant charges;
- halotherapy - inhalation of salt aerosols;
- electrotherapy - exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- mechanotherapy - physical exercises using special instruments and devices;
- acupuncture;
- oxygen cocktails.
Treatment methods
For convenient and comfortable healing, a modern medical building has been built in the health resort. It has all the conditions for undergoing wellness procedures:
- hydropathic facilities;
- manual massage room;
- underwater, vacuum and pneumatic massage;
- physiotherapy department;
- inhalation;
- physiotherapy exercises and much more.
Diagnostic centers are actively working on the basis of many resort establishments, which allow their visitors to conduct additional examinations and get advice from specialized specialists. For this purpose, you can also contact Vitebsk.
Sanatorium "Forest Lakes" allows vacationers not only to undergo active medical procedures, but also take air baths, carrying out daily walks along forest paths and the shores of the lake. The exercise is very beneficial for the state of the nervous system and respiratory system.
Accommodations
The resort provides for the presence of several types of rooms with different levels of comfort. The rooms are designed for double occupancy, but it is possible to settle a family of three.
Three meals a day provides a varied menu, taking into account seasonality. Dietary methods of cooking help maintain the body and provide a complete diet. For the convenience of vacationers, the sanatorium provides a system of pre-orders. In accordance with taste preferences, you can individually choose the right menu for the next day.
Services and entertainment
So that the treatment process is not monotonous and boring, in the health resort there are conditions for an interesting leisure time.
Outdoor enthusiasts can rent bicycles, boats, catamarans, skis or sledges. It is possible to hold a tennis tournament. In the gym it is convenient to keep fit while practicing on a variety of sports equipment. Readers can use the services of the library. For youth, dance evenings are held every evening. There is a platform equipped with barbecue facilities, where it is proposed to cook kebab on your own. With children, you can play in a special area.
The infrastructure of the sanatorium provides for the presence of a guarded parking lot, shops, laundry, Russian bath, restaurant and banquet hall. In a word, there is absolutely everything here to completely disconnect from the daily city bustle and give a good rest to a tired body.
How to get here?
Health resort location: Vashkovo village, Ushachsky district, Vitebsk region, Belarus.
The distance from the city of Polotsk is 65 km, from Vitebsk - 137 km. From these settlements follows the intercity bus to Ushachi. From the town is only 9 kilometers to the sanatorium "Forest Lakes". You can get to it by suburban bus.