Hot Springs Wellness Outcomes: Health Benefits of Natural Geothermal Mineral Water
People have soaked in mineral-rich hot springs for centuries. Now there’s peer-reviewed research explaining why it works.
At The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, guests experience these benefits through the Mother Spring’s 13 therapeutic minerals, water that rises from 1,002+ feet below the Earth’s surface, the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world.
Balneotherapy is the therapeutic use of natural mineral water. It involves immersion in mineral-rich geothermal water at specific temperatures, typically between 97-100°F, for structured periods to achieve measurable wellness outcomes.
Recent research published in the International Journal of Biometeorology identifies applications ranging from chronic pain management to metabolic health support. Unlike casual soaking, balneotherapy follows evidence-based protocols built to optimize therapeutic effects.
The Springs Resort offers medically-guided balneotherapy under the oversight of Dr. Marcus Coplin, ND, the only dedicated naturopathic physician and balneologist directing wellness programming at a U.S. hot springs resort.
A systematic review published in the International Journal of Biometeorology found that balneotherapy and spa therapy show potential to influence cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone affecting sleep quality, immune function, and overall wellbeing.
How The Springs Resort supports this:
• Temperature range of 35°F to 112°F, the widest of any hot springs in North America, allows for contrast therapy protocols specifically designed for stress relief
• 50+ geothermal pools, more than any single resort property in North America, each with a unique combination of temperature and mineral concentration
• Guests can customize their experience based on what they’re trying to address
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that balneotherapy reduces pain intensity in fibromyalgia patients with effects sustained for up to six months after treatment. The research also shows measurable improvements in disability scores and physical function for chronic musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, and joint disorders.
Key minerals driving these outcomes in the Mother Spring’s water:
• Sulfate at 1,400 mg/L: anti-inflammatory benefits crucial for joint health
• Sodium at 790 mg/L: arthritis relief, similar to seawater salinity
• Magnesium at 25 mg/L: muscle tissue health and recovery
Heat increases circulation, which helps deliver these minerals directly to affected tissues.
A 2023 systematic review of fibromyalgia patients found that hydrotherapy and balneotherapy show promise for improving sleep quality compared to standard care alone, with data from 311 patients.
What’s happening physiologically:
• Thermal immersion may help regulate circadian rhythms
• Magnesium (present at 25 mg/L in The Mother Spring) plays a crucial role in sleep regulation
• After exiting warm water, core body temperature drops, a physiological signal that triggers deeper sleep
• Evening soaking is a practical way to build this effect into a visit
Each mineral in the Mother Spring’s water serves specific physiological functions. The 1,002+ feet of depth is what creates this profile – water traveling that far through ancient geological formations dissolves minerals that shallower sources can’t reach.
| Mineral | Concentration | Primary Health Benefits | Research Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 1,400 mg/L | Anti-inflammatory, detoxification, joint health | Balneotherapy research on chronic pain |
| Sodium | 790 mg/L | Electrolyte balance, muscle function, hydration support | Mineral water health studies |
| Magnesium | 25 mg/L | Sleep quality, muscle function, energy metabolism | Sleep disorder research, metabolic studies |
| Potassium | 90 mg/L | Muscle function, energy metabolism, electrolyte balance | Mineral water health studies |
| Silica | 54 mg/L | Bone strength, immune function, connective tissue health | Mineral bioavailability studies |
| Lithium | 2.9 mg/L | Mental balance, mood support | Balneotherapy mental health research |
Learn more about the specific minerals and their concentrations at The Springs Resort healing waters page.
The strongest current evidence comes from peer-reviewed fibromyalgia studies showing:
| Health Outcome | Measured Improvement | Study Type | Duration of Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pain Reduction | Pain intensity reduced (SMD -1.67) | Meta-analysis, multiple RCTs | Up to 6 months post-treatment |
| Disability & Function | Disability scores improved (SMD -1.1) | Systematic review | 3-6 months sustained |
| Sleep Quality | Sleep quality significantly improved | Systematic review, 311 patients | During and after treatment |
| Depression | Depression markers reduced (SMD -0.51) | Meta-analysis | Variable by individual |
The Springs Resort translates these findings into structured wellness programs designed by medical professionals.
Dr. Marcus Coplin, ND, Medical Director for The Springs Resort:
| “What we’re seeing in the peer-reviewed literature validates what we observe clinically. Balneotherapy delivers measurable improvements in pain levels, sleep quality, and functional capacity when applied with medical precision. At The Springs Resort, we’re delivering evidence-based interventions that support the body’s natural healing systems through optimal mineral exposure and thermal protocols.” |
Structured soaking protocols and wellness guidance are available to help guests maximize their visit.
The Springs Resort has been named the #1 Best Hot Springs Resort in the United States and #1 Best Spa Resort in the United States according to USA TODAY 10Best 2025.
What’s available at the resort:
• 50+ geothermal pools fed directly by the Mother Spring
• 13 therapeutic minerals including sulfate, magnesium, lithium, and silica
• Temperature range 35°F cold plunges to 112°F therapeutic soaks
• Wellness programs developed and overseen by Dr. Marcus Coplin, ND
Whether you’re managing chronic pain, working on sleep, or looking for stress relief, the combination of mineral depth and medical oversight is what sets this resort apart from other hot springs destinations.
Explore The Springs Resort’s geothermal pools and discover how natural mineral water can support your health and wellness goals.