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Report on our impression of the endometriosis cure at the Bad Großpertholz mud spa

We would like to say in advance that we had the feeling that everything was honest and authentic and nothing was glossed over. We had arranged our stay with the spa management and of course the staff knew that we would be coming at some point. To our positive surprise, however, they didn’t know that we were coming at this exact time.

We thought it was great that we were given such an unrestricted insight into the work of the health resort – in our opinion and experience, this is not a matter of course and clearly shows the will to get as much as possible out of the framework conditions of “Gesundheitsvorsorge Aktiv” (as a health resort is officially called by the social insurance) for those of us affected.

During our stay at the Bad Großpertholz mud spa, we had the opportunity to get to know the endometriosis cure at first hand and we would like to summarize our personal impressions and feedback below.

General information
It is important to note here that this is NOT rehabilitation or follow-up treatment (as is the case in Germany), which is why the requirements, framework conditions and (therapy) options differ!

Ambience of the house
The renovation of the house is very successful. The lovingly furnished rooms and the well-kept outdoor facilities make you feel at home. Details such as bathing bags with bathrobes, homemade juice and glasses as well as sun loungers for in the garden illustrate the effort to make your stay as pleasant as possible. A positive highlight is the installation of an inductive hearing system for hearing-impaired people in the lecture room. This shows that the needs of all spa guests are being taken into account.

Rooms and facilities
The rooms are spacious and designed for two people as standard – as it is possible for family members to visit or stay for a longer or accompanying period and we are happy to accommodate them.
Dogs are also allowed.
Furthermore, they are extremely clean, flooded with light and equipped with modern, wooden furniture and a TV. The sanitary facilities are also generously sized and equipped with towels and hairdryers. Here, too, there are lovely details, such as a basket with important essentials in the bathroom, glasses and homemade syrup, water jugs and an information brochure make the rooms homely and we felt very welcome.

Catering
The food at Moorbad Bad Großpertholz was varied, light and delicious. After just two days we were able to take home some inspiration for our own cooking. We were also assured that they always try to cater for any intolerances.
It is very positive that attempts are being made to ensure that endometriosis patients sit together at the same table, which promotes the exchange of information.

Therapy
The hotel’s physiotherapists and dieticians have already dealt intensively with the subject of endometriosis and have built up in-depth specialist knowledge in their respective fields. They have also gained inspiration from those affected who have been on a cure here since the beginning of the year.
The range of services on offer is broad and extends from physiotherapy and massages to nutritional advice, endurance and weight training, power and mud treatments, mental therapies and lectures.
The entire team makes every effort to meet the high standards of endometriosis treatment.
The varied, voluntary leisure program supports the overall concept and showed us that the guests are also offered something outside of the therapies and are encouraged to interact and connect with each other.

Surroundings and infrastructure
Right from the start, we were struck by the tranquil (an important point for relaxation, both as a city dweller and as someone stressed by everyday life and illness) and scenic – almost picturesque – surroundings. We were pleasantly surprised by the infrastructure of the village of Großpertholz – there are shopping facilities and a visit to the “Pertholzer Hofladen”, with regional products, is definitely recommended.

Staff
We found the calm atmosphere – with regard to the staff – in the hotel to be very pleasant and remarkable. Not a trace of stress or stressed employees. This definitely has an impact on our well-being. This also gave us the feeling that we could raise a concern at any time without burdening anyone. During our stay, the entire team was friendly, courteous and attentive to the needs of the guests.
We also noticed the respectful and constructive interaction within the team.

Cooperation and research
The further development of the endometriosis cure in Bad Großpertholz is supported professionally and medically by the Med. Vienna and the LKH Melk. The experiences will be comprehensively documented and evaluated.

Conclusion – positive overall impression
Moorbad Bad Großpertholz is characterized by a high level of commitment and a constant desire for further development. We were impressed by how much has already been implemented. The exceptional friendliness and efforts of the entire team deserve special mention. The service orientation of all employees created a pleasant atmosphere. The clinic is run by a young, dynamic team that is committed to the well-being of patients and is constantly striving to further develop its services. This is also reflected in the center’s flexibility in responding to individual needs and wishes, such as changes to the treatment plan, dietary habits, etc.
Of course, our impression is based on two days as a “guest” and the discussions with those affected on site, but we were able to put forward our suggestions for improvement and our offer of further cooperation in order to better represent the interests of those affected was gratefully accepted.
We would like to emphasize that pioneering work is being carried out here and that the period for this is only a few months – therefore, in our opinion, the claim that the knowledge is identical to that of therapy institutions such as those in Germany, for example, cannot yet be fulfilled. From our point of view, we endo patients are therefore also very much in demand: with every patient who completes a course of treatment, the team can learn something new and benefit from our feedback. Plus: this is the only way for the official authorities to see how great the need is for us endometriosis sufferers for spa and rehabilitation measures and follow-up treatment.

The most important thing at the end
As a cure is not rehabilitation or follow-up treatment, each patient must decide for themselves – in consultation with their doctor – whether they will benefit from the “Healthcare Active” program or whether a stay is not advisable in their current situation. The therapy plans are well filled – we noticed this ourselves during our visit.
The discussions, treatments and therapies as well as the exchange with other patients and therapists mean that we have to deal very intensively with ourselves and our illness – this is physically and mentally challenging. The medical team always strives to respond individually to each patient, but it is also a fact that the specific requirements for the spa program must be adhered to by the social insurance.

Our personal conclusion is that a stay at the Bad Großpertholz mud spa is certainly worthwhile for many endometriosis sufferers, but – as always with our disease – it is a very individual decision.
From a commitment perspective, it is absolutely necessary that as many of us as possible take advantage of the offer, because only then can something finally change in this direction for us!

Status 09/2024

Photos: EndÖ and Moorbad Bad Großpertholz

Here you can go directly to the website of Moorbad Bad Großpertholz.

Q & A – The most important facts summarized. Your questions answered by the spa management

Download Q & A

Here you can download the overview!

Definition of

In principle, GVA (Gesundheitsvorsorge Aktiv) is a PVA program for insured persons with the overarching goal of extending the healthy years of life. In terms of content, the GVA program focuses on exercise, mental health and healthy nutrition for all participants. For endometriosis patients, we focus on mental health, as this is where we see the greatest success with the possible therapies.

The entire program has a modular structure. The basis is always the basic module with therapies such as: Individual physiotherapy, group physiotherapy,

Endurance, strength and relaxation training. The mental health module includes workshops on mental health, guided relaxation exercises and individual counseling sessions with a clinical psychologist.

In nutrition, we have agreed to include individual nutritional therapies as standard therapy in addition to the prescribed workshops.

Cost absorption and approval

Which doctor (general practitioner, gynecologist, endometriosis specialist, surgeon) should best submit the application for a stay?
In your opinion, when is the best time for a cure? How long should I wait after an operation? Is the cure also possible independently of an operation?
How do you define the difference between treatment and rehabilitation? Are you planning to offer follow-up rehabilitation or follow-up treatment in the future? offer in the future?
What should I look out for when applying to avoid a rejection? Can the application now also be submitted with a diagnosis of endometriosis or do you still need another diagnosis relating to the musculoskeletal system?
Is there really only one treatment per day? Is there a difference if you are approved for a GVA cure by the PVA?
Have the PVA and the ÖGK already been informed about the change in indications at your clinic, so that people with endometriosis and chronic gynaecological conditions can also apply to you and will not be rejected?
Is this covered by the ÖGK? 
I have heard or read that the health insurance companies do not cover the costs of the cure. So you can have the therapies prescribed there, but you have to pay for your stay at the spa (accommodation and meals) yourself?
What can you do if you are rejected?
Is it possible to take the cure privately without it being approved by the health insurance company?
I would like to know how it is regulated with the cure when it comes to the self-employed.
How does a woman* get a place?
How do you get the cure? Which applications are important, who is entitled?
How long does the cure last – can it be extended or shortened? 
Are one- or two-week cures also offered?
Is this treatment new, or does no doctor know about it? So far I have always been told that there is no endo-specialized cure in Austria.
Can I take the cure with all health insurance companies? LKUF?

We receive applications from both general practitioners and gynecologists. Each application must be submitted to the responsible social insurance institution, which decides on approval.

We have contracts for the GVA with the PVA, ÖGK and KFL. About the BVAEB a GVA is also possible. A spa treatment is possible via the SVS.

If the patient has had an operation, it is important that the scars have healed and that the patient has already fully recovered from the operation. A cure or GVA may not be carried out in the case of acute complaints, as this is a contraindication.An application is also possible without previous surgery.

The fundamental difference between rehabilitation and spa treatment is that rehabilitation follows on from acute medical care. Cure has a preventive effect and aims to eliminate or improve indication-related functional limitations.

You can find a good explanation of the definition of the term and the distinction between cure/GVA and rehabilitation here:

The differences between cure, GVA and rehab – Kur + Reha (kur-und-reha.at)

These are different forms of treatment. If a convalescent stay has been approved by the SVS, there is one treatment per day. The cure and GVA have a well-filled program throughout the day.

Yes, we have the approval of the PVA to treat endometriosis patients as part of the GVA. Approval was also granted by the BVAEB and in the spa treatment procedure by the SVS. The application must be completed correctly and in full. In order to be granted a GVA, the spa treatment / GVA for the musculoskeletal system must be applied for. The additional application diagnosis of endometriosis is permitted.

GVA’s service profile has been reviewed to meet the needs of endometriosis patients. Endometriosis has been an application diagnosis for GVA since the beginning of 2024.

For the time being, the indication remains the musculoskeletal system.

The SVS offers a classic spa treatment. In contrast to GVA, the focus of the spa treatment is on exercise and nutrition. Unfortunately, mental health is not part of the adopted service profile.

The costs for a cure / GVA approved by the social insurance provider are covered by the respective social insurance provider. Some insurance companies (excluding ÖGK) can also bill the therapies directly for a private stay using a prescription slip, A private stay is also possible.

In the event of a rejection, I would, as we recommend to all patients, contact the respective regional offices again and ask why the application was rejected.Any insured person can apply for a stay.

We receive approval from the social insurance provider, as does the patient. After approval, an appointment is made with the patient.

A stay lasts 21 days. An extension must be applied for with the social insurance institution. A shortening is not possible and is equivalent to discontinuing the cure.

Shortened stays are only offered in a private setting. Private insurance companies cover some of the costs of the stay if this is regulated in the respective contract.

We are happy to help with any questions.

Organization of the stay

What forms of therapy are specifically offered? 
What is the procedure for a spa stay?
How does the hygiene concept work in the colder months when you are mainly indoors? It’s difficult to isolate yourself and you’re in a room with lots of people, so it can be difficult if your immune system is already compromised by intestinal problems…
Can you organize the rest of your time as you wish?
The possibility of endo-cure means that there should be specific endo-cure therapies. On the other hand, according to the homepage, a holistic medical therapy approach is pursued regardless of the illnesses.What is the difference between endo-cure and, for example, exercise cure?
What is the focus on endometriosis? (nutrition, physiotherapy, aqua aerobics, etc.) …. the general or specific topics relating to endometriosis. (Pain, psychotherapy, nutritional visits – how can I approach a change? Trying out an alternative therapy?
What treatments are available specifically for endometriosis sufferers?
Is there a course program (courses) that gives you an insight into the whole thing?
Can partners also be present?

A medical history form is completed in advance of the stay and sent to the facility. Together with the medical history form, the specific medical questionnaire on arrival and the initial examination by a doctor, a therapy plan is drawn up. The therapy plan is in line with the therapies available in the service profile of the social insurance providers.

The therapy plans are very individually tailored to the patient’s complaints. In principle, a GVA program consists of elements of physiotherapy, electrophysical treatments, psychological discussions, relaxation training, nutritional therapies, classic massages and therapeutic mud treatments.

The hotel pursues a holistic medical approach. In concrete terms, this means that every stay at our clinic is based on the pillars of exercise, nutrition and mental health. For endometriosis patients, the focus of the stay is on mental health. As a result, endometriosis patients have individual psychological consultations and guided discussion groups as standard. Guided discussions with other patients are also part of the therapy program, as are guided relaxation exercises and workshops with the clinical psychologist.

In addition, we work closely with the physiotherapists in a targeted individual setting. In the group setting, it is primarily pelvic floor exercises that are specifically geared towards endometriosis patients.

Various forms of therapy are introduced to the patient in order to find the optimal form of therapy together with her.

Yes, you can organize the rest of your time as you wish. Journeys home are not usually planned.

It is possible for the partner to come along as an accompanying person for the entire duration or only for individual days. 

As a healthcare facility, a well-functioning hygiene concept is an integral part of our daily work.

Nutrition

Is a low-histamine, gluten-free and dairy-free diet possible at the Kurhaus?
How is it ensured that, for example, the latest scientific findings are taken into account in nutritional counseling and that outdated concepts are not used (such as the BMI and prejudices based on racist concepts)?
Food intolerances – Is a stay at a health resort even possible? Is this taken into consideration and is food cooked separately? For me, a cure there would only be possible if a lactose, gluten and soy-free diet is guaranteed.
I have already been to rehab once where this was possible and it did me a lot of good.
However, my endo disease was hardly taken into consideration during this rehab and Bad Großpertholz would be a “ray of hope” for me.
In addition to the usual intolerances (lactose, fructose, histamine), can more specific dietary requirements be catered for (e.g. if individual vegetables are not tolerated, MCT fats are required)? The intestine is very often massively affected…
Are there dieticians there who specialize in endometriosis (anti-inflammatory nutrition)?

Yes, a diet tailored to the individual patient is possible.

In dietology in particular, we are in constant, very close cooperation with certified endometriosis clinics in addition to training and further education on this topic. This regular exchange enables us to adopt different perspectives and thus achieve the best possible advice for the patient.

Taking food intolerances into account is a matter of course in our hotel. If you have specific requirements, we will contact you proactively before your arrival.

Yes, special dietary requirements are also catered for.

Thanks to continuous further training and networking, our dieticians have a wide range of knowledge.

Expertise of the healthcare staff

Is the specialist knowledge on which the treatments are based really scientifically sound, or is it more about doing something good for yourself?
Endometriosis is a serious and very painful condition that is comparable to prostate cells spreading throughout the body. I wonder whether there would be other options for male sufferers?
In what form are the latest scientific findings used for the treatments?
How can it be ensured that the treatments actually have a positive effect on endometriosis and are not just pleasant for the moment?
Compared to the possible treatment in Germany, I fear a lack of professional qualification of the staff and the scientifically based treatment concept of the cure.
Do you have any experience with bioidentical hormones?

Thanks to our close cooperation with certified endometriosis clinics in Austria, we always try to keep abreast of the latest scientific developments. In addition, the MUW and LKH Melk scientifically monitor stays in order to make success measurable.

In addition, our highly competent therapists have in-depth knowledge. Further training is an essential part of what we do in order to keep up to date with the latest scientific developments.

Our highly professional and competent staff have a wide range of knowledge. Through continuous training and networking, we are constantly developing targeted therapies on a sound basis.

The aim of a stay is to develop strategies together with the patient on how she can alleviate her symptoms after the stay through targeted movement and relaxation exercises and/or dietary habits.

As already mentioned above, we try to keep up to date with the latest scientific developments by working closely with certified centers. state of the art. However, it should be emphasized that, in addition to professional treatments, the stay also offers patients the opportunity and space to focus on themselves and devote time to their health. This is an essential part of the holistic therapeutic approach that we pursue.

Our team and our therapists continue to develop with every endometriosis patient. The management clearly strives to offer highly professional and targeted therapies and to continuously develop ourselves further.

The rehabilitation service profile in Germany is aimed at follow-up treatment immediately after operations and is only comparable with the spa or GVA program in Austria to a limited extent.

So far we have not worked with bioidentical hormones.