Parkzeit 2021-1 (EN)

Park Zeit

Park Igls Guest Magazine

Spring/Summer 2021

NEW

The Park Igls

Mayr book

for a healthy lifestyle

Get fit

not

COVID

14

THINGS WE CAN DO TO

KEEP OUR LUNGS HEALTHY

33

OUTDOOR EXERCISE:

BALM FOR BODY AND MIND

36

TO ERR IS HUMAN …

AS IS EATING

2

4

Park Igls:

COVID-free zone

One step ahead and fit

for the future

9

Vaccines: light at the

end of the tunnel

How inoculation works

14

19

20

28

33

36

40

46

47

Breathe well

Protect yourself from COPD,

COVID & Co

Fit after Covid

Purge the post-COVID

syndrome

Our new book

The new Park Igls Mayr guide

Moving mountains

Boost the immune system

and feel great

Outdoor fitness

The programme for a happier

body and mind

To eat is human

5 nutritional myths and fallacies

A brighter outlook

The power of positive thinking

Did you know that ...?

Current tariffs and interesting

facts and figures

Feldenkrais® and

Yoga Weeks

Gentle exercise specials with

added value for the mind

Dear Guest,

A sigh of relief and a confident start ... that’s our hope for society,

so terribly shaken by the pandemic. Our latest issue of ParkZeit

offers fresh perspectives for an escape from crisis:

Dr Gartner and pulmonary consultant Dr Duftner discuss the

respiratory system and how we can protect ourselves from

COVID, COPD & Co. This also helps us keep body and mind

healthy, and Dr Kogelnig explains the benefits of outdoor

exercise, especially in the mountains. The path to greater wellbeing

and happiness leads us to close encounters with nature,

but, as Dr Melanie Robertson and Thomas Blasbichler (MA)

explain, so does the power of our thoughts. Finally, Dr Irene

Brunhuber introduces us to the history and benefits of vaccines:

the light at the end of the tunnel?

Hone your senses and get off to a strong start with our new Fit

after COVID programme. And Werner Chizzali, our Commercial

Director, explains the safety measures we have taken to ensure

that Park Igls is a COVID-free zone. Dr Gartner clears up

nutritional myths and fallacies including the old chestnut about

carrots improving eyesight.

Last but not least, we are proud to present our new Mayr book,

the perfect companion to readers after their Mayr stay, leading

to a healthy and active everyday life: Health is Central is both its

title and our philosophy.

We look forward to your visit!

Andrea Gnägi (MA) and the Park Igls team

3

Park Igls:

COVID-free zone

Optimally positioned – now

and in the future – thanks

to private preventive and

regenerative medicine.

4

COVID-FREE ZONE

The Park Igls health retreat has

continued to provide preventative

medicine and accommodate

guests, even in lockdown. In this

interview, Park Igls’ Commercial

Director Werner Chizzali explains

how guests have been offered

optimal safety while maintaining

maximum comfort, and why

rapid in-house tests put the retreat

some way ahead of the authorities.

The Park Igls health retreat enjoys special status

among accommodation providers, enabling it to

remain open during the second and third

lockdowns. What sets Park Igls apart from other

health resorts and hotels?

Werner Chizzali: Unlike other businesses, the Park

Igls health retreat is also classed as a private clinic

that complies with the Tyrolean Hospitals Act. This

combination of hotel and clinic is explicitly

excluded from closure under the current COVID-19

regulations so that they can continue to provide

health care. Our wide-ranging medical services are

ideal for maintaining health and boosting the

immune system. At the same time, we are also

subject to strict hygiene and organisational

requirements set out by the Austrian medical

authorities.

While many hotels have gradually expanded from

accommodation and hospitality into wellness and

medical services as part of the wellness boom,

medical services have always been the focus at

Park Igls. Preventative and regenerative medicine is

COVID-FREE ZONE 5

NO-NONSENSE

INFORMATION AND CLARITY

Clear, detailed communication is a key part of

the safety plan at Park Igls. Guests are informed

about our hygiene and safety measures from

the enquiry and booking stage. A clear summary

of these regulations is included in all

correspondence. The latest version is also

always available on the website: www.park-igls.at

in our DNA. Alongside medical research and

development, we also focus on developing firstrate

accommodation and comprehensive service.

Did you have to take specific safety measures in

light of your special status and remaining open

during lockdown?

Chizzali: By the time we reopened after the first

lockdown in March and April 2020, we had already

implemented a solid safety plan which enabled us

to offer our entire range of services with virtually

no restrictions. When the more severe COVID-19

measures came into effect in Austria in early

November 2020, we took some additional

in-house measures. Visitors and outpatients were

mostly denied access, and some of our less

medical and close-contact services, such as the

beauty and hairdressing departments and the

sauna area, had to be temporarily suspended.

However, our hygiene and safety plan ensured that

all medical and therapeutic services could fully go

ahead and offer maximum quality.

Many people are worried that they could

contract a variant of COVID-19 or other virus by

spending time at a hospital, outpatient clinic or

health resort. How do you at Park Igls deal with

these concerns?

Chizzali: I can understand the fear of infection,

especially SARS-CoV-2, when it comes to

conventional hospitals. Everyone knows that

hospital-acquired infections are a huge problem

that often lead to severe illness. At Park Igls, we

have the considerable advantage of working with

largely healthy patients on a preventive basis. This

fact, combined with our in-house PCR tests for

SARS-CoV-2 on arrival, and weekly staff testing,

provides our guests with an extremely safe

environment. In most cases, it’s life before and

after a stay here that poses the greater risk of

infection.

What are the details of your safety plan?

Chizzali: The key aspect of our safety plan is the

creation of a COVID-free zone by means of

comprehensive, regular testing. This means we

only have people here who have been tested and

are extremely unlikely to have SARS-CoV-2.

We have implemented social distancing of at least

two metres from the outset, long before it was a

legal requirement, and far beyond the minimum

required. Nevertheless, in the event of contact,

guests and colleagues obviously still need to wear

a face covering or, where required, an FFP2 mask.

Measures such as regular ventilation, reduced

group sizes and multiple hand sanitiser stations are

standard in all areas where larger numbers of

people congregate.

Border controls and quarantine regulations are

issues affecting a lot of travellers, and the

absence of detailed public clarification often

leaves them bewildered. What is your experience

of this at Park Igls?

Chizzali: There are actually a lot of questions at the

enquiry and booking stages about the formalities

and requirements when crossing borders. Because

the legal status in every country, state and canton

is constantly changing, we need to maintain an

overview to be able to advise all guests accurately.

However, most countries, and specifically Austria,

do not require quarantine for border crossings

made for medical reasons. This means that almost

all of our guests who hold a letter of confirmation

from us have been able to enter and leave the

country without issue.

What has changed at the health retreat since the

start of the pandemic? Have adjustments been

required?

Chizzali: Very few, in fact. At the start of the

pandemic, we put together a very good, safe plan

with our Medical Director Dr Peter Gartner, and our

6

COVID-FREE ZONE

medical specialist for hygiene and environmental

medicine Dr Peter Barth, and we have hardly had to

adjust it at all. Many measures that later became

public health policy were put in place by us from

the start. I think we’ve always been a step ahead.

What type of tests do you use at Park Igls? Have

you changed your testing strategy? What will it

look like in the near future?

Chizzali: Since we reopened after the first

lockdown in spring 2020, all guests have

undergone a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 on arrival.

Since the autumn of 2020, we’ve been able to test

in house using our own equipment. This means

that we receive results for all arrivals within a

maximum of two hours. We test our staff every

week, and if anyone is unsure or experiences mild

symptoms, we can also err on the side of caution

with rapid antigen tests.

What has been your experience of the tests?

What’s the feedback? What have the results been

so far?

Chizzali: Generally speaking, the best experience

you can have with any kind of test is receiving a

negative result. Getting a quick result is of

considerable benefit as you can then take action.

This is why we’re pleased to be able to carry out

in-house tests at any time. When we’ve had the

odd positive result for staff or guests, we’ve

considered time to be of the essence. We have

been able to react immediately, isolating the

affected person, notifying their contacts and

isolating them too. We have generally been ahead

of the official guidelines and have introduced

appropriate measures under the supervision of our

doctors. This means that we’ve not only been a

step ahead of the authorities, but often days ahead

of them too. This fast reaction has enabled us to

prevent any spread of SARS-CoV-2 on the premises,

and all infections have remained isolated cases. I’d

also like to mention that the few confirmed

infections were mild to moderate with no severe

effects.

From a health perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic

has affected us, but only marginally. And we’re

confident that things will stay that way.

How do you manage to ensure 100% safety and

maximum comfort while delivering your usual

services?

Chizzali: Along with regular testing, maintaining a

minimum distance of two metres is the most

important way to prevent the spread of SARS-

CoV-2. Wherever this is not possible, everyone has

to wear a face covering. For close-contact

treatments, our medical staff use high-quality

protective equipment such as FFP2 masks.

However, we also know that wearing face

coverings or protective masks represent a

significant restriction in everyday life. One of our

major strengths is our friendly staff, who always

have a smile on their faces, so this is obviously a

drawback for us.

In the hotel area, we are fortunate to have very

generous rooms, which means that every guest

has a lot of space at their disposal. Wherever guests

can maintain a sufficient distance from others, we

try to give them a certain amount of freedom and a

margin of discretion as regards what they can do.

In which areas do rules have to be particularly

strict?

Chizzali: In essence, strict rules apply to all areas

where there is close contact between people, e.g.

treatment rooms or places where several people

get together, such as the sauna, pool or gym. We’ve

put up safety notices as well as explaining limited

access and minimum distances to our guests.

Ultimately, we also have to trust that everyone will

behave responsibly – and we do.

WERNER CHIZZALI

‘Time is of the essence

when it comes to testing.’

What has the guest feedback been like during

this challenging time?

Chizzali: The guests at Park Igls have consistently

given us positive feedback about our rational,

no-nonsense handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most common praise is that we’ve managed to

provide a pleasant, restful stay even at this time.

Especially in recent months, many guests have

seen their stay as a kind of break from the pandemic,

as it gives them space and time to refocus on

themselves and their bodies. This has allowed

them to get some distance from the all-consuming

issue and associated fears for a short while.

COVID-FREE ZONE 7

How are you preparing for what must be an

uncertain future? What are you taking from this

pandemic?

Chizzali: That’s difficult to answer. We’re currently

hoping to get back to pre-coronavirus life in the

foreseeable future. But the question of what will

have changed after the pandemic is an interesting

one. And I'm afraid quite a few things will have.

Things that were unthinkable a year ago have

almost become habit, so I find it all the more

difficult to see what life will be like in another year’s

time.

WERNER CHIZZALI

‘We were a step ahead of the

authorities from the start.’

But I'm sure that the private preventive and

regenerative medicine we provide, and the

increased resilience and boosted immune systems

that result, will become even more topical and so

the Park Igls health retreat will be ideally positioned

after the pandemic.

Werner Chizzali

Commercial Director

at the Park Igls health retreat,

Hotel Business Manager

and Administrative Director

of the private clinic.

8

COVID-FREE ZONE

Vaccines:

the light at the

end of the tunnel?

How vaccines have been

preventing disease for centuries

VACCINES: LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL? 9

Are vaccines safe? As doubts and fears multiply,

people can sometimes find it difficult to know

who to trust. We at the Park Igls Mayr clinic

believe that the best response is to gather solid

and reliable information. Dr Irene Brunhuber, GP

and Mayr Physician, sheds light on the topic of

vaccines from a range of different perspectives:

from historic inoculation triumphs and vaccine

tolerability, to detailed medical insights.

If we look back on the history of vaccines, which

are the ones that have been most

groundbreaking and enjoyed the greatest

success?

Dr Irene Brunhuber: One of the most significant

figures in the history of vaccines was Edward

Jenner. The ‘father of immunology’ carried out an

experiment in which he intentionally infected a boy

with the relatively mild cowpox virus and thereby

successfully protected him against the deadlier

smallpox virus. Even today, the word vaccine,

which is derived from the Latin word vacca for cow,

reminds us of its origins. The pathogens for

smallpox and the rinderpest virus have been

completely eradicated.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘You should not rely on others

having been inoculated

to provide you

with indirect protection.’

A further milestone was in 1988, with the WHO

setting a target for eradicating polio. Today, two of

the three poliovirus variants appear to have been

eradicated. The global success of the polio

vaccination campaign has been a huge

achievement.

According to Austria’s ‘Vaccine Plan’, which

vaccines should doctors recommend for

children and adults?

Brunhuber: We now have many different vaccines

to protect against infection and associated

complications from viruses and bacteria – some of

which can be fatal – as well as vaccines primarily

developed for cancer prevention. The Austrian

Vaccine Plan recommends that babies and infants

receive a vaccination against severe diarrhoeal

diseases (rotavirus) and the MMR vaccine on top of

the 6-in-1 vaccine that protects against diphtheria,

tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus

influenzae B (Hib) and hepatitis B. Pneumonia

vaccinations are now also included in the free

vaccination programme.

Another vaccine, which is not free in Austria but is

nevertheless recommended, is the meningococcal

vaccine. Even if it is very rare for meningococcus

bacteria to cause a severe disease such as meningitis,

they can still lead to dramatic consequences. Other

recommended vaccines include the varicella

vaccine to protect against chickenpox, and the

hepatitis A vaccine. We should not forget the tick

vaccine, HPV immunisation to prevent cancer –

particularly cervical cancer – and the flu vaccine.

In adulthood, the key vaccines are diphtheria,

tetanus, whooping cough, polio, pneumonia,

herpes zoster, ticks and flu.

What happens in our body when we are

vaccinated?

Brunhuber: In simple terms, a vaccination uses a

pathogen to simulate an infection in the body and

cause an immune response. The immune system

memorises this type of reaction, which means that

if the body is again infected at a later date, it can

rapidly defend itself against the infectious pathogen.

This means the body is able to adequately defend

against the pathogen before illness sets in.

What differences are there between types of

vaccine, for instance between inactivated and

live vaccines?

Brunhuber: We classically distinguish between

inactivated and live vaccines. Inactivated vaccines

involve injecting the recipient with a dead form of

the pathogen. Live vaccines, on the other hand, are

pathogens which have been adapted through

lengthy cultivation techniques to weaken their

original degree of harmfulness. For example, an

experiment carried out by Albert Calmette and

Camille Guérin in the early 20th century, originally

intended to simplify the cultivation of tuberculosis

bacteria, led to the discovery that adding ox bile

weakens the bacteria. Over the years, the same

method was used to develop the non-diseasecausing,

or apathogenic, Bacillus-Calmette-

Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been administered

four billion times, making it the world’s most widely

used vaccine.

10

VACCINES: LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

More recently, genetic techniques have been

deployed to attenuate the effect of live vaccines.

Flu viruses, for instance, were modified in this way

to produce the Fluenz Tetra flu vaccine. This

ensured they could only multiply in the upper

airways – the respiratory tract – and therefore only

cause mild symptoms, if any at all. The resulting

mucous membrane immunity protects extremely

effectively against infection from disease-causing

flu viruses. These active immunisations are quite

unlike passive vaccines, which involve the injection

of antibodies against a specific pathogen to build

up rapid, albeit short-term, protection. Passive

vaccines or combined active and passive vaccines

are used when there is a danger of a tetanus or

rabies infection.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘The side effects associated with

modern vaccines

are generally fairly mild.

The symptoms signal

an immune response.’

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has

shown it is possible for pharmaceutical

companies to bring a variety of products to the

market in a relatively short time. How do the

products differ from each other?

Brunhuber: Modern processes have facilitated the

development of new, highly potent mRNA vaccines

and vector vaccines, that contain no antigenic

parts of the pathogen, to combat the SARS-CoV-2

virus. In the mRNA vaccines such as Moderna and

Pfizer-BioNTech, a section of the virus’s genetic

information is copied, modified and wrapped in a

transport vesicle, enabling part of the virus to be

replicated in the cells of the vaccine recipient.

When the vaccine is given, the body receives a

blueprint it uses to produce an antigen, which in

turn triggers the formation of antibodies to fight it.

This mRNA is not permanent and in no way affects

genetic information in the cell nucleus. Instead, it is

destroyed after just a few days. Any infection –

even the harmless cold viruses – causes mRNA to

be introduced into our cells, but it doesn’t change

our genetic information.

SMALLPOX EPIDEMICS

Smallpox epidemics recurred

continuously all over the world until

around 1970. In 1870 almost

200,000 people died during a smallpox

epidemic in Germany. Smallpox

vaccination became compulsory in

some countries as far back as the

19th century. In 1967, the WHO began

a large-scale programme for

eradicating smallpox and the world

was declared smallpox-free in 1980.

Editor’s note: All statements

are based on the scientific knowledge

available at the time of interview.


The AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

do not fully fit the classification outlined above,

and are known as vector vaccines. This involves

taking parts of the genetic information from SARS-

CoV-2 and adding it to a harmless virus. The

harmless virus then becomes a carrier of an antigen

for a potentially disease-causing pathogen: a

sheep in wolf’s clothing, so to speak. Once the

vaccine has been administered, any contact with

the SARS-CoV-2 virus triggers an immune response

which protects against an infection.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘Rumours that the

COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility …

belong in the realm of fantasy.’

A whole range of other vaccines are still in

development, so we expect more to come on the

market within the year.

Why are long-term studies still necessary?

Brunhuber: Long-term studies are needed to

continue evaluating the vaccines’ safety and

effectiveness. These days, concerns are raised

about COVID vaccines due to the lack of longterm

data. It’s important to note that actual vaccine

side effects generally arise during the first two

months following a vaccination. Later vaccine

reactions are almost always residual conditions

related to earlier side effects of the vaccination.

All the COVID-19 vaccines available in Europe have

complied with the necessary approval processes

standard for any medical drug. The chief factors

driving the development and manufacture of an

effective vaccine are likely to have been the rapid

spread of the disease and the economic

consequences associated with the pandemic –

and, of course, the huge financial resources

provided.

What are the unwelcome side effects of

vaccinations in general? And what do we know

about the Covid-19 vaccines’ side effects?

Brunhuber: The side effects associated with

modern vaccines are generally fairly mild. Going by

the experiences made in developing vaccines over

the last few decades, they tend to be limited to

temporary pain at the injection site, local redness, a

slightly raised temperature, fatigue, headaches,

muscle pain, chills and joint pain. From what we

know so far, this seems to also apply to the COVID

vaccines, and the symptoms can be as pronounced

as they would be with an infection. The symptoms

signal an immune response, but usually disappear

within a few days. Some vaccines carry the risk of

an allergic reaction, which is also the case with the

COVID vaccines. This primarily affects people who

already suffer from allergies, which is why

vaccinations should always be performed by a

medical professional.

Should we be afraid of long-term harm? Is there

any truth to rumours such as that the vaccine

can make you infertile?

Brunhuber: Current rumours about the SARS-

CoV-2 vaccines are largely based on the opinions

of non-specialists inaccurately representing the

facts. Rumours that the COVID-19 vaccine causes

infertility or that the RNA in the mRNA vaccine

enters into the recipient’s genome are in no way

scientifically accurate and belong in the realm of

fantasy. We should place our trust in the data

currently available to us and the opinion of

numerous experts that these are extremely safe

vaccines.

Are the vaccines also effective on mutations of

the virus?

Brunhuber: Whether the vaccines currently on the

market offer protection against SARS-CoV-2

variants is the subject of numerous discussions.

The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines seem

to also be adequately effective against the British

and South African variants. In the case of

AstraZeneca, there are still some concerns

regarding its effectiveness against the South

African mutant. However, experts are still divided

and there is a need for more empirical data, which

we are gaining with every passing month. The

Johnson & Johnson vaccine should provide

sufficient protection against the South African and

Brazilian variants, but as yet we have no data

concerning its effectiveness in dealing with the

British variant.

Are there any people or risk groups that should

be advised against having a COVID-19

vaccination? Are there age limits?

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is not recommended

for children under 16, and you need to be over 18

for the AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and

12

VACCINES: LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

Moderna vaccines. As with any vaccine, the risk–

benefit ratio needs to be considered and there are

often individual decisions to be made. For example,

the vaccine is neither explicitly approved nor

prohibited for pregnant women, but is permitted

for breastfeeding women. As they are inactivated

vaccines, current data suggests that

immunocompromised people can also be

immunised. These are people who must take

medication to suppress their immune response,

often due to an autoimmune disease. But the

question is whether these people are able to build

up adequate protection, which is why it is worth

monitoring the success of the vaccination in them.

What would you say to anti-vaxxers?

Brunhuber: I try to communicate the latest

scientific findings. By getting vaccinated, you are

highly likely to be protected against a serious or

fatal progression of the disease. You should not

rely on others having been inoculated to provide

you with indirect protection. Unfortunately, we

don’t yet know whether it’s still possible to pass on

COVID to somebody else post-vaccination, so it’s

important to keep wearing a mask – at least until

this question is clarified. It’s important for scientific

findings to be widely disseminated: everyone

should have access to this background knowledge

so they can make the right decision for themselves.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘This mRNA is not permanent

and in no way affects

genetic information in the cell nucleus.

Instead, it is destroyed

after just a few days.’

And when people worry about tolerability and

effectiveness, I never fail to mention that a wellfunctioning

immune system, based on factors

such as a healthy gut and an adequate supply of

nutrients, is essential ... but that’s another story

altogether.

Dr Irene Brunhuber

Internist, Mayr physician and

practitioner of orthomolecular medicine


Breathe

well,

live well

As pulmonary consultant Dr Jörg Duftner explains, ‘the lungs are

highly sensitive organs.’ So how do we keep them healthy?

Medical Director Dr Peter Gartner talks to consulting physician

Dr Duftner to find out more about them and respiratory conditions

such as COPD and coronavirus.

14

BREATHE WELL

The function of the lungs is to supply our body

with oxygen and release carbon dioxide from the

bloodstream into the atmosphere. How does it

work?

Dr Jörg Duftner: The lungs are structured like a

tree, with the windpipe forming a trunk that

bifurcates into two large ‘branches’ or lungs. The

air we inhale is transported via the bronchi to the

alveoli. These are the ‘leaves’ on the tree where gas

exchange takes place. Oxygen is released into the

bloodstream and waste CO2 is removed from the

blood into the lungs to be breathed out.

Dr Peter Gartner: Modern Mayr Medicine echoes

this in that we also use the tree as a symbol, albeit

for the gut. Modern Mayr Medicine also

understands the relationship between the breath

and the abdomen. Breathing works like a set of

bellows: we use muscle strength to inflate the

lungs and then they contract automatically. The

inner organs in the diaphragm – the main muscle

of respiration – are connected as if under a dome.

If they are too heavy, perhaps due to a high level of

body fat or a fatty liver, the effect on the diaphragm

can be harmful because it is no longer able to move

as freely.

Dr Duftner: On a daily basis, I get to observe the

mechanics of breathing: X-rays show me the

extent to which a diaphragm moves during

respiration, and to what degree it supports the

BREATHE WELL 15

breath. A healthy diaphragm moves 5-6cm, but in

some cases it barely moves at all, and is practically

fixed to the spot. Patients with this kind of

impairment often resort to using accessory

respiratory muscles such as those in their shoulders

to help. It’s really obvious when you see people

leaning on something to catch their breath.

Try feeling your breath: place your hand on your

abdomen; as you inhale relax the abdomen,

allowing it to expand. That way, you’ll take in

more air.

ensures good lung ventilation: pathogens like

things warm and cosy, so I advise outdoor exercise

every two or three days, even in winter.

3. Drug treatment is also part of staying healthy,

as a protective shield. I'm not necessarily talking

about medication, but vaccinations – against flu,

pneumonia, whooping cough and now COVID-19 –

are important in my view.

4. Diet. We've already mentioned the restriction

that excess weight places on the diaphragm. We

also know there is a connection between excess

weight and asthma, which explains why obese

children have such a hugely increased risk of

developing it.

Dr Gartner: A cleansed gut also offers protection

against infectious diseases. We’re not just talking

about excess weight: beneficial food choices and

chewing properly are primary factors in ensuring

healthy dietary intake. Of course, the tolerability of

individual food also plays a role. Add to this the fact

that your bronchi love plenty of fluids – which is

exactly what Mayr recommends: drinking a lot of

water or herbal tea really does promote bronchial

health.

Dr Gartner: It works even better when lying down.

Abdominal breathing is something we all do when

we are asleep. Singers and wind instrument

musicians actively use it too.

What can I do to keep my lungs healthy,

especially in light of potentially catching COVID?

Dr Duftner: The way I see it, there are four

mainstays to maintaining healthy lungs and

preventing infection.

1. The principal cause of lung damage is smoking

– active and passive. Smokers have low resistance

to all pathogens.

2. Strength and endurance training are the best

forms of respiratory muscle exercise. This also

Can wearing a protective mask irritate the lungs?

Duftner: The use of FFP2 masks seems to be a fairly

contentious topic, but as far as I’m concerned they

provide good protection from infectious aerosols

– and most people only wear them for a short time,

anyway. I recommend that occupational groups

where mouth and nose coverings are mandatory

should take regular breaks. But I see no cause for

concern in terms of harm to the lungs.

People have been reporting breathing difficulties

after COVID. What can they do to manage their

symptoms?

Dr Duftner: I’m currently treating several long

COVID patients with a variety of symptoms. In

isolated cases, we are still seeing spots on the

lungs, and some patients have decreased lung

function. Others have normal X-rays and lung

function yet still report issues, so we have to

assume that inflammation processes are still at

work. The treatment of choice in these cases is a

cortisone spray over a period of weeks, and this has

yielded good results. I generally advise against

strenuous sporting activity for around two months

following COVID.

16

BREATHE WELL

What happens to our lungs as we grow older?

Dr Duftner: As you would expect, environmental

factors affect lung function. The state of our

bronchi reflects our environment, and the lungs

have an enormous potential to store harmful

substances. This can cause problems – such as

smoker’s lung – but it doesn’t have to.

Do all older people – even the sporty – get out of

breath more easily?

Dr Duftner: I see many older patients; mostly their

breathing difficulties stem from heart problems.

Colds involving coughs, sneezes and respiratory

problems are part of the usual repertoire of

winter infections. At what point should we go to

the doctor?

Dr Gartner: A major symptom to look out for is a

fever, by which I mean a temperature of 39°C or

more, lasting several days. Most adults have some

experience of being ill, so they know their bodies

and can recognise the warning signs. When it

comes to COVID, I hear a lot of patients say they’ve

never experienced anything like it.

Dr Duftner: Too often, people with no history of

lung disease are prescribed antibiotics much too

soon and with little benefit. Persistent coughs –

even in asthmatics or people with allergies – are

best treated with conventional steroid inhalers. But

if breathing becomes difficult and the mucus you

cough up changes colour, I’d recommend going to

see your GP.

What’s the difference between bronchitis and

COPD?

Dr Duftner: The term COPD stands for chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease and describes a

range of lung diseases including emphysema and

chronic bronchitis. Chronic means that the disease

lasts a long time and is always present. Obstructive

denotes that the ability to move air in and out of

your lungs is blocked. Despite a long anti-smoking

campaign, smoking, active and passive, is still the

cause of around 80–90% of COPD. To a lesser

extent, genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis,

also known as mucoviscidosis, and Alpha-1

antitrypsin deficiency can also lead to COPD.

Dr Gartner: However, coughs can also be caused

by reflux.

Dr Duftner: In fact, reflux is one of the most

common diagnoses behind persistent coughs or

bronchitis. In prone patients, when stomach

contents flow back into their oesophagus, stomach

acid can be inhaled, causing them to cough and

clear their throats. The PH level in the lower third of

the oesophagus is lower, which can result in the

urge to cough as a reflex.

Dr Gartner: Modern Mayr Medicine can help with

this too. Weakening of the lower oesophageal

sphincter muscle is a more common cause of

reflux than hiatus hernia, and Mayr therapy

considerably increases the tonicity of the sphincter.

What exactly is pneumonia?

Dr Duftner: Pneumonia is an inflammatory

condition of the lung, usually caused by a bacterial

superinfection. Unfortunately, it is often

misdiagnosed even though this serious illness

makes patients very unwell. A stethoscope doesn’t

always pick it up; in fact, this condition is not

medically audible in up to 60% of patients, so a

doctor’s trained eye is required. Thankfully, GP

care in Austria means that patients are treated by a

single doctor over long periods of time, rather than

an ever-changing stream of GPs. This makes it

easier to make an assessment of a patient’s physical

signs.

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of

cancer-related deaths, and we often hear that it’s

not just smokers who develop it.

Dr Duftner: Let me make one thing absolutely

clear: lung cancer is very rare in non-smokers.

However, exposure to passive smoking is

associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Recommended preventative measures include

yearly checks for smokers with a history of smoking

20 cigarettes a day for 20 years. A CT scan can be

performed with extremely low radiation exposure

and no contrast medium.

Can a damaged lung recover?

Dr Duftner: Bronchial mucous membranes can

recover, but there is no cure for emphysema.

However, it’s never too late to stop smoking, as you

can inhibit the progress of lung damage and the

severe loss of function that results from it.

Dr Gartner: The psychosomatic aspect of lung

function is also worth alluding to.

The three biggest interfaces between us and our

environment are our skin, gut and lungs. These

BREATHE WELL 17

organs are the sites of nine out of ten cases of

psychosomatic illness. Asthma in children can, for

instance, be related to problems in the family.

Dr Duftner: It’s diagnosis by exclusion. Once other

reasons have been ruled out, we can deduct that

the symptoms are the psyche’s way of signalling

‘this situation is smothering me’. There are some

interesting studies involving people with animal

hair allergies who experience allergic reactions

when shown pictures of cats.

Dr Gartner: That really demonstrates how quickly

the body is able to learn, doesn’t it? Finally, I’d like to

mention some medication that has both an

expectorant and an antioxidant effect. ACC

(acetylcysteine) is an extremely effective antioxidant

which reduces oxidative stress – a cause of ageing.

It is used in holistic medicine as a detoxification aid,

although ACC used to only be available in the form

of effervescent tablets, which isn't good for the gut.

On our initiative, ACC now comes in capsule form,

which is easier on the gut while maintaining its

detoxifying and expectorant effects. Detoxing for

several weeks while taking one capsule a day is a

great way to support the body during periods of

increased physical and psychological stress.

Dr Jörg Duftner

Lung specialist and

consulting physician at Park Igls

Dr Jörg Duftner studied medicine in his

home city of Innsbruck, choosing to

specialise in lung disease after qualifying

as a GP. Alongside treating lung disease,

he also offers allergy testing,

smoking cessation support and

sleep disorder consultation at his practice,

which he founded in 2005. As well as

being a consultant at Park Igls, Dr Duftner

also runs a sleep laboratory

at a private clinic in Innsbruck

(Privatklinik Hochrum)

as an in-patient physician.

18

BREATHE WELL

Fit after COVID

It’s been over a year since the world

began making a combined and

concerted effort to fight the corona

pandemic. However, this disease

is not just about its acute

manifestation: post-acute COVID

syndrome, also known as long

COVID, can manifest as chronic

fatigue, avolition, weakness,

headaches, impaired senses of

smell and taste, or a persistent dry

cough.

To help you get back on your feet

after corona, our medical specialists

have developed a special diagnostic

and therapeutic programme. In

addition to a medical examination

and lung function test, this package

also includes physiotherapy and

exercise therapy assessments.

A specific blood test to check for

cardiac muscle damage , which can

sometimes be a consequence of

COVID, concludes your diagnostic

package. Thanks to Modern

Mayr Medicine’s detoxifying and

invigorating effects, it provides

a reliable basis for therapy.

Individual physio and exercise

therapy sessions, fortifying

infusions, restorative massages

and detoxifying liver compresses

using real beeswax complete

the treatment package. If required,

nasal reflex therapy, inhalations

or chest compresses can be added

to your programme.

Stop feeling weak, weary and worn

out: get Fit after COVID!

∞ Mayr Basic (see www.park-igls.at)

∞ 1 performance diagnostics session (50 mins)

∞ 2 personal training sessions (25 mins each)

∞ 1 physiotherapy session to assess muscle function (50 mins)

∞ 1 spirometry (lung function)

∞ Expanded laboratory blood tests including cardiac muscle blood test

∞ 3 full body massages (50 mins each)

∞ 3 fortifying infusions

∞ 3 liver compresses with beeswax

€2,465 for 1 week, excluding Mayr medication

Price excludes accommodation

FIT AFTER COVID 19

A good read

for good health

NEW

The Park Igls

Mayr book

for a healthy lifestyle

20

A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

Hungry for change? Looking for

something that’s good for you,

and hits the sweet spot too? Doesn’t

turn your life upside down, but

tweaks it in all the right places? A full

helping of valuable information with

plenty of entertainment, wit and

humour on the side? Page after page?

A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH 21

OUR

BRAND-NEW

BOOK ...

... conveys the joys of great nutrition,

exercise, health and taking care of yourself

and the environment.

… answers key questions about

maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

… tells you everything you need to

know about our Mayr programmes and

follow-up care.

… imparts medical knowledge, the latest

research and helps you understand

Modern Mayr Medicine.

... dispels diet and exercise myths.

… imparts diet wisdom on chewing, food

combining and Modern Mayr cuisine –

in an engaging and easily digestible way.

… offers you practical tips, including

delicious recipes and exercise sequences,

to promote good health.

… is full of down-to-earth advice on

integrating fitness into your everyday

life, overcoming waning willpower,

avoiding yoyo diets, and much more.

22


Available in both

English and German


Enjoy your read!

Following the Mayr principle of ‘well

chewed is half digested’, the doctors,

therapists and experts at Park Igls have

published a delectable book which

serves up Modern Mayr Medicine, our

therapeutic programmes and healthy

lifestyle tips in small, enticing portions.

24


‘I liked the fact that ‘Health is Central’ is not just a recipe book and

has many hints and tips that you can forget when you get back home.

Just having the book in my kitchen is a constant reminder to eat

more mindfully. Its translation is very good and reads well. I’ve been

using this as a recipe book but also as guide for the Mayr way of

eating and living. I would recommend this book to any one who wants

to start a better and healthier way of living.’

JAMES HUNT, FOUNDER OF NGO NANNY BISKUIT


‘My wife and I have been enjoying F X Mayr programmes for several

years. Months of back-to-back meetings wipe us out, but after a Mayr

programme we’re ready to hit the ground running again. The book,

‘Health is Central’, offers a detailed and straightforward description of

what Mayr therapies are all about, including what keeps your body

going or takes you off track. We have also enjoyed trying some of the

recipes from the book. Between visits to Park Igls, you can sometimes

hit the wall, but the book is full of useful tips on getting going again.

And it’s really well written and illustrated.’

DETLEV MÜLLER, JOURNALIST

26


‘What I really like about ‘Health

is Central’ is the fact that it presents

Modern Mayr Medicine as an

achievement of the whole team

and as a holistic approach to health –

under the rigorous intellectual

leadership of Medical Director,

Dr Peter Gartner, of course. Particular

mention should be made of the very

clever composition of the whole book:

scientific texts alternate with photo

spreads and recipes. The more

challenging content is summarised in

clear, short texts. This allows one to

read the whole book without getting

tired. I read it with pleasure. Reading

was also made easier by the flawless

language throughout. I also enjoyed

the way overzealous approaches to

achieving good health are thoroughly

and humorously examined, and

esoteric teachings are clearly rebuffed

in favour of scientific methods and

classical medicine. This accomplished

work now has a fixed place in my

library.’

ALOIS SCHÖPF, AUTHOR

HEALTH IS CENTRAL

Happy and Healthy with

Modern Mayr Medicine

ISBN 978-3-9501262-2-8

© 2020

Gesundheitszentrum Igls GmbH


Moving

mountains

Why outdoor exercise is

so good for body and mind

Moderate exercise, as recommended by sport and

exercise medicine (SEM) specialists, has a positive effect

on both the physical and psychological immune

systems. In this interview, Dr Richard Kogelnig, Deputy

Medical Director at the Park Igls health retreat,

explains how exercising outdoors reduces the risk of

tumours, brings infection rates down and strengthens

the whole body – inside and out.

Outdoor exercise benefits health. Why is that?

Dr Kogelnig: There is a significant amount of

scientific evidence for the correlation between

health and physical activity. Regular exercise,

especially outdoors, brings with it a variety of

benefits for both psyche and body functions –

above all, metabolism. It considerably improves

glucose and fat metabolism. It also stimulates

bone metabolism, which has huge benefits for the

body’s bone structure, making it more solid and

resilient. The number and size of muscle

mitochondria – the body’s combustion engines –

also increase, resulting in evident benefits to a

person’s metabolism, metabolic rate and weight.

28

MOVING MOUNTAINS

© Innsbruck Tourismus / W9 Studios

MOVING MOUNTAINS 29

Does exercise also help the immune system?

Kogelnig: The right amount of exercise stimulates

the immune system, as it results in an improvement

in natural killer (NK) cell function (see box). Here at

the Park Igls health retreat, we also see that people

who do moderate, low-intensity endurance

training experience a significantly lower number of

respiratory infections than people who don’t. Also

interesting is the fact that endurance athletes have

a 50% lower risk of developing colon cancer.

Studies show that cancer is around four times

more common in people who are unfit than in

those with a high level of fitness. Additional benefits

that come with regular outdoor exercise are weight

loss and longer life expectancy.

WHAT ARE THE

EFFECTS OF

OUTDOOR EXERCISE

ON THE IMMUNE

SYSTEM?

• Increase in NK cells, which are

key to combatting cancerous

cells

• Changes in antibodies

(immunoglobulins) that are

important for fighting viral and

bacterial infections

• Increased multiplication of

lymphocytes

• Reduced oxidative stress,

which has a beneficial effect on

genetic material

Killer T cells

are lymphocytes that help

to combat cancerous cells and

destroy virus-infected cells.

Why doesn't indoor exercise have the same

effect?

Kogelnig: Scientific studies comparing indoor and

outdoor activities have concluded that the

difference between running outdoors and running

on a treadmill is minor. However, this is based only

on biomechanical and biophysical factors such as

tendon, muscle and bone stress, and movement

sequences. Although the surface conditions are

different, there is no significant difference between

the biomechanics of running indoors or outdoors.

However, it must be noted that the experiential

value of exercising in the fresh air, and above all

being surrounded by nature, has a unique quality.

Visual, acoustic, olfactory and haptic perception –

what we see, hear, smell and feel in natural

environments – has extremely beneficial effects

30

MOVING MOUNTAINS

on how we feel, both physically and psychologically,

that cannot be entirely replicated indoors.

What happens to our bodies and minds when we

hike, go mountain running or mountaineering?

Kogelnig: Exercise like mountaineering, mountain

running, jogging or walking causes the adrenal

medulla to release the stress hormone adrenaline

into the bloodstream. This important hormone

stimulates an increased conversion of fuel such as

sugar and blood lipids or fatty acids. Also, just a few

seconds of physical activity are enough to causes a

rise in NK cells. These are hugely important in

combatting cancerous cells and fighting viruses.

Other immunocompetent cells such as monocytes,

granulocytes, T and B lymphocytes are also

activated.

A BOOST FOR BRAIN AND PSYCHE

Is it true that fresh air also affects cognitive

ability?

Kogelnig: It’s the combination of different sensory

elements that makes all the difference and has

lasting, positive effects on both brain and psyche.

Studies confirm that physical activity increases

cognitive skills, especially the ability to learn. This is

easy to explain: our frontal lobe, the seat of

consciousness, is closely linked to the brain’s

motor and sensorimotor areas via associative

neural pathways.

Does this have a positive effect on stress

hormones?

Kogelnig: During this process, you don’t have the

excessive discharge of stress hormones you’d have

with a stress reaction; instead, moderate amounts

are gradually released, improving physical and

psychological functions. The effect of stress

hormones is also governed by the idea of the

golden mean and moderation.

Antibodies

are proteins secreted by B lymphocytes.

Oxidative stress

is the excess production of highly reactive

oxygen compounds, which can

damage cells and, above all, their genomes.

What role do hormones play, and what are happy

hormones all about?

Kogelnig: Activation of the motor and sensorimotor

cortex results in the increased release of dopamine

and serotonin. These are mood-lifting

neurotransmitters, and their effect is increased by

the additional secretion of endorphins – happy

hormones – which heighten wellbeing, creating a

feeling of happiness. This is reinforced by the

aesthetic factors we find in natural surroundings,

such as blue skies, majestic mountains, flowering

meadows and the sounds of a stream or birdsong.

To what extent does outdoor exercise benefit the

musculoskeletal system? Do you have any

specific recommendations with regards to back

and joint health?

Kogelnig: Essentially, any kind of moderate

physical activity has positive effects on health.

MOVING MOUNTAINS 31

Warming up the muscles and tendons at the start of

any exercise activity is vital. This involves pulse

raising and joint mobility exercises as well as

stretches. When hiking, mountaineering, running or

cycling, it’s advisable to start slowly and progressively

increase exertion to an intensity where you can still

have a conversation. Hiking is a particularly good

activity for the joints and back as it strengthens

joints, the spine, tendons, bones and muscles.

What should we look out for when choosing an

outdoor activity?

Kogelnig: When it comes to physical activity, it’s

important to make a thorough assessment of your

starting situation: you must discuss any physical

restrictions such as a lack of fitness or joint and

spine problems with your doctor before you

decide what outdoor activity to pursue.

Dr Richard Kogelnig (MA)

Deputy Medical Director at Park Igls,

GP, Mayr physician, psychologist,

and neural therapy, manual medicine

and acupuncture practitioner.

Are you an outdoors fan? What’s your favourite

outdoor pursuit?

Kogelnig: I love hiking in the mountains. It provides

me with excellent cardiovascular and strength

training, as I have to carry my body weight up and

down considerable changes in elevation. The

terrain in the mountains also makes it great

coordination and balance training. And let’s not

forget the glorious mountain views that have given

me so many beautiful and lasting memories.

SUPPORTING

STRESS RESISTANCE

AND RESILIENCE

Our senses, and therefore our

perception, respond positively to

natural surroundings. This

benefits our ability to regenerate,

and increases resilience as well as

enhancing the stress resistance

of all our physical processes.

Outdoor activities are extremely

beneficial for the health of

our bodies, minds and emotions.

They don't simply prolong life:

first and foremost, they improve

the quality of life.

32

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Outdoor

fitness

The mountains are calling!

And more and more people are

heeding their call. Sports

scientist and exercise therapist

Maximilian Stangl from the

Park Igls health retreat explains

why mountain sports and

outdoor exercise in general are

not only on trend, but also

very good for you from a sportstherapeutic

perspective.

The programme

for a happier

body and mind

OUTDOOR FITNESS 33

Stangl’s eyes light up as he discusses his areas of

expertise: exercise and the mountains. He is

convinced that human beings benefit from any form

of exercise – and that nature maximises these

effects. Simply put, it’s in our very nature.

WHEN WE EXERCISE:

• Our circulation is stimulated

• Our muscles are doing

what they were designed for

• Our joints are lubricated

• The cocktail of chemical messengers

circulating in both our body, and – more

importantly – our brain, is balanced

• Our emotions are positively affected

• Our mood is further enhanced because

we have done something good for ourselves

A MOOD-ENHANCING COCKTAIL OF FRESH

AIR AND NATURE

‘Exercising out in the fresh air multiplies its positive

effects and has further benefits on top,’ Stangl

explains. For example, numerous studies have

proven that trees and other plants release chemical

signals into the air that strengthen our immune

system. There is also evidence of the health

benefits of UV radiation from prudent amounts of

sun exposure. However, ‘if you only feel

comfortable going out in blue skies and sunshine,

I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you,’ the

exercise expert laughs. ‘Regularly getting out of the

cosy comfort zone of your home and feeling the

heat, cold, wind, rain and snow against your skin

not only makes you more resilient, but also makes

you happier and feel more alive.’

To ensure that the mood-boosting effects kick in

quickly and endure, the sports therapist recommends

using the first five to ten minutes for a warm-up.

During this time, you should perform your chosen

activity at a moderate pace, slowly increasing the

intensity rather than going ‘full-speed ahead’ from

the start. ‘That allows us to adjust physically and

mentally to the exercise. If you feel motivated, it’s

also worth incorporating a few full-body exercises

at the start of a warm-up. Mobility exercises and

gentle stretches like the ones taught at Park Igls are

perfect for this,’ he says. In any event, whether you

are running, walking or cycling, you need to adapt

the exercise intensity to your current fitness level. If

you are tempted to overdo things, you risk injury due

to reduced levels of concentration and movement

precision.

Popular walks

around Park Igls

"Guests who previously joined our walking

and hiking excursions will be familiar with the

extremely popular routes in our local area."

Stangl reveals his favourites to suit any taste

and fitness level:

Leisurely walks around Park Igls

• Viller Moor

• Ullwald

• Patscher Rosengarten

Moderately challenging walks

• Lanser Kopf

• Viller Kopf

Ambitious hikes

"My top tip: visit our local Patscherkofel

mountain with the Heiligwasser pilgrimage

church, or head out even further!"

For the less sure-footed

Stangl recommends taking the paved

paths to Lans

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

One activity Maximilian Stangl recommends as

suitable for almost anyone is walking. The speed –

be it a gentle stroll, purposeful march or athletic

hike – he leaves up to you to decide. Whether it’s a

full day tour of the mountains, an afternoon lap of

the woods or a half-hour walk through the village,

the movement pattern always remains the same.

‘Depending on the terrain and duration, we are

training our coordination, balance, sure-footedness,

endurance and strength – all of which are helpful in

everyday life,’ Stangl explains. Nevertheless, it's

important not to underestimate any signs of strain.

‘If you experience joint pain or other symptoms, you

should pay attention, adapt what you’re doing and, if

in any doubt, consult an expert at the Park Igls health

retreat.’

HIGH ALTITUDES AND MOUNTAIN CLIMATE

Altitude is highly important when it comes to

outdoor pursuits. The exercise therapist explains

34

OUTDOOR FITNESS

how long the body needs to acclimatise to the

Tyrolean mountains: ‘Altitude sickness can affect

some people who visit our mountainous region.

This is the result of a reduced supply of oxygen. Not

because there is less oxygen in the air as such, but

due to the decrease in air pressure the higher you go.

On Mount Everest, for instance, the air pressure is

only a third of that at sea level. This also explains how

Everest climbers can boil water for their tea at just

71°C.’

MAXIMILIAN STANGL

‘Guests who previously joined

our walking and hiking excursions

will be familiar with the extremely

popular routes in our local area.’

These effects can also become noticeable at lower

altitudes in the form of shortness of breath and a

rapid pulse: the body’s reaction is to increase the

production of red blood cells, which are responsible

for delivering oxygen to the tissues. Competitive

athletes make use of this effect to improve their

performance by training at high altitudes, although

Stangl notes that it takes around a week to adapt

properly. However, the effects of reduced air

pressure are only palpable to us from around

2,000m above sea level: ‘Park Igls is situated at

900m altitude so our guests needn’t worry about

having to wait a week before they’ve acclimatised,’

the expert explains.

EXERCISING IN NATURE – IT’S IN OUR NATURE

‘The natural environment is the habitat we have

adapted to as a species. For most of our

developmental history, moving within it in a variety

of ways has been a prerequisite for our survival,’ says

Stangl. ‘It was only during the agricultural and the

much later industrial revolution 10,000 and 150

years ago respectively – the blink of an eye in

evolutionary terms – that we were ‘freed’ of this.

Nevertheless, the human body and its needs are still

largely designed for the hunter-gatherer lifestyle –

and therefore ideally suited to a life of exercise out in

nature.

Maximilian Stangl

Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of

Science, state-certified instructor

OUTDOOR FITNESS 35

To eat

is human

Five nutritional myths

and fallacies

1 – Does spinach correct

iron deficiency?

Answer: No.

Explanation: Over a century ago, a study into the

iron content of a range of foods noted that

spinach contained an astounding 35 milligrams

of iron per 100 grams. Decades later, this amount

was accepted without question by the medical

world, and so became the cause of many an

intergenerational dinner-table debacle. Had the

doctors read the small print, things might have

turned out quite differently. The researchers had

been looking at dried spinach – powdered

spinach in cans – and this is what led to such

sensational results. The iron content of

non-dried spinach – fresh or frozen – is a very

modest 3.5mg. Just think how many family dramas

could have been avoided!

36

TO EAT IS HUMAN

‘To err is human’, to eat

erroneously is too:

we clear up some of the

falsehoods and half-truths

that have been obscuring

the scientific perspective

on nutrition for decades.

Dr Peter Gartner explains

the truth about the old

adage that carrots are

good for your eyesight,

and more ...

2 – Do carrots

improve eyesight?

Answer: No.

Explanation: To see well, we need physics and

chemistry. Physics because all of the eye’s

optic equipment has to be perfectly calibrated

to project a sharp image onto the retina. And

chemistry because substances such as vitamin

A are required to convert that image into a

nerve stimulus and form it in the brain. Vitamin

A builds up rhodopsin – necessary for

our inner night vision camera – so a lack of it

makes seeing in the dark more difficult.

If our dietary intake of vitamin A is too low, it

can be produced in the gut from one of its

precursors, beta carotene. And, as the name

suggests, beta carotene is found in carrots.

Theoretically therefore, difficulty seeing in the

dark caused by a lack of vitamin A could

be improved somewhat with a huge intake of

carrots, but your vision won’t actually improve

in terms of sharper images.

FURTHER READING

www.healthline.com/nutrition/

is-salt-bad-for-you?

TO EAT IS HUMAN 37

3 – Is barbecued food

carcinogenic?

Answer: Yes, but ...

Explanation: Generally speaking, cooking protein –

especially by barbecuing – creates substances which

play a role in the development of cancer. However,

given our unchecked meat consumption and

boundless love of barbecues, we should be seeing

many more cancer cases (specifically bladder and

stomach cancer) than official figures suggest.

Researchers around the world have tried to get to the

bottom of this discrepancy. They found that most

of the measures taken by barbecue cooks to improve

flavour also reduce the harmful effects of carcinogenic

substances, and in some cases may even stop their

development. Marinating food, using mustard, herbs

and spices, and browning from the grill on charcoal all

work wonders. And a freshly drawn beer puts the

carcinogens out of action. However, this doesn't make

barbecuing entirely harmless: remember, it’s the dose

that makes the poison!

4 – Does milk

make mucus?

Answer: No.

Explanation: Traditional Chinese medicine

recognises a range of influencers on

health, of which Wind and Dampness are

some the most dreaded. Milk is one

of the foods known to cause Dampness

in the body, so you won’t be surprised

to know that Chinese medicine

discourages milk consumption. But there

is a very particular background to

this idea: starting in childhood, the

genetic makeup of many Asian people

reduces their ability to digest milk

sugar, making them lactose intolerant.

After consuming lactose-rich foods

such as milk, people who are lactose

intolerant experience bloating, abdominal

pain and diarrhoea – the latter being a

symptom categorised as Damp in TCM.

However, none of this relates to mucus

congestion as we think of it.

38

TO EAT IS HUMAN

5 – Does salt increase blood pressure?

Answer: No.

Explanation: Only in very elderly people can taking too

much salt lead to a measurable increase in blood

pressure; the connection does not apply to the rest

of the population. The misconception that salt increases

blood pressure is the result of one of medical history’s

greatest falsifications: the INTERSALT study. This

large-scale international analysis was supposed to show

that the average blood pressure of the over 50

population groups studied correlated with average salt

consumption. But no statistically significant relationship

could be established. ‘Luckily’, however, the study

did find a small number of the population groups –

statistical outliers – which confirmed the hypothesised

relationship between salt and blood pressure, and it

was the latter data that was ultimately published. Since

then, most doctors have worked on the assumption

that salt increases blood pressure.

Dr Peter Gartner

Medical Director at the Park Igls

health retreat, general practitioner

and Mayr Physician specialising

in holistic medicine, nutrition,

acupuncture and hypnotherapy.

TO EAT IS HUMAN 39

A brighter

outlook!

Add zest and joy

to your life through the

power of thought

Some of us see the world through rose-tinted glasses, whilst

others have a much darker and more negative perspective.

Finding out how even the greatest pessimists can see the light

at the end of the tunnel and move towards a fulfilling life is

something that has always been of interest to psychologists.

But can we really ‘think ourselves happy’? How much influence

do we actually have over our thoughts?

40

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK!

The Park Igls health retreat's psychologists,

Dr Melanie Robertson and Thomas Blasbichler (MA),

discuss the issues surrounding positive thinking

and positive psychology – and share how we can

focus on what’s good in our lives, without losing

sight of the reality.

‘Influencing conscious thought to gain greater life

satisfaction is at the heart of some of the concepts

that focus on positive thinking,’ Thomas Blasbichler

explains. The Brockhaus der Psychologie, a

German encyclopaedia of psychology, describes

positive thinking as ‘the adaptation of thought

processes to promote mental and physical health,

happiness and success’. As early as the 19th century,

the French pharmacist Émile Coué developed a

mantra-like phrase for his patients to repeat several

times a day: ‘Every day, in every way, I'm getting

better and better’.

POSITIVE, BUT REFLECTIVE

‘Positive thinking maintains our ability to act and

inspires us to take a proactive approach to life and

its challenges,’ Dr Melanie Robertson explains. In

simple terms, it is about expecting positive things

to happen and therefore recognising when they do.

‘We gain self-confidence and are more likely to

have faith in our own success,’ she adds. But

positive thinking doesn’t mean blocking out or

denying the negative. ‘Nothing in life is totally

positive or completely negative. What matters are

the aspects we choose to focus on.’

As with most things, positive thinking also requires

critical reflection: ‘The positive thinking approach

becomes problematic when it puts us under

pressure,’ Robertson stresses. ‘Think positive!’ is a

recommendation that may not be easily put into

practice. ‘People suffering from depression may

really want to think positive, but at this stage it is

something they would likely find extremely

difficult,’ she explains. ‘Telling someone to think

positive can also convey the impression that they

are responsible for their suffering, which is often

untrue. Repeatedly trying and failing attempts at

“forced positive thinking” can also lead to greater

anxiety and feelings of guilt,’ Blasbichler adds.

OUR THOUGHTS CONTROL OUR FEELINGS

‘Our experiences, thoughts and feelings influence

how we perceive the world and therefore how we

behave. This is substantiated by neurobiological

findings. Feelings arise due to external or internal

stimuli, are accompanied by physical sensations

and can be understood as a review of our opinions,

needs, motives and goals. They are associated with

specific facial expressions and postures and have

an impact on our social relationships and general

conduct,’ Blasbichler explains.

Robertson believes that this results in a cycle: ‘In

principle, what happens is that a situation occurs;

we perceive the situation – or certain aspects of

it – and feelings such as sadness, joy or fear arise as

a result of this perception. These feelings in turn

lead to certain actions.’ Since feelings arise

involuntarily as a reaction to external stimuli they

cannot be changed. Thoughts, on the other hand,

can be changed, even if they arise suddenly and

automatically. Blasbichler explains further: ‘If we

recognise them as negative thoughts, we can

reflect on them, classify them and then change

them if we need to.’

DR MELANIE ROBERTSON

‘Nothing in life is totally

positive or completely negative’

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

‘The glass-half-full analogy is a good representation

of a fundamentally positive approach. It indicates

that in the eye of the beholder the glass can be

interpreted as half-full or half-empty. However, in

life we are constantly faced with situations and

periods during which it becomes difficult to

maintain this attitude, and life’s challenges feel

overwhelming,’ Robertson says. Blasbichler adds:

‘We need to recognise and accept negative

thoughts and their impact on our feelings. This

weakens their impact. If instead we rigidly try to

avoid and control unpleasant feelings and thoughts,

we can end up severely restricting our lifestyle.’

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK! 41

‘Allowing the feelings in and examining their impact

is essential. Feelings are real and always right,

particularly in the here and now, even if they relate

to situations in the past or future. I cannot feel

incorrectly. Thinking can help me to clarify how I’m

feeling, why I’m feeling that way, and draw

corresponding conclusions,’ Robertson says. In

the 1990s, US-American psychologist Martin E P

Seligman coined the term positive psychology to

describe a field of psychological theory and

research. It differs from the concept of positive

thinking in that it is backed by empirical evidence,

i.e. numerous studies have been carried out on its

effectiveness. Seligman defined five measurable

elements that contribute to wellbeing:

1. Positive emotion (a pleasant life)

2. Engagement (utilising your strengths)

3. Relationships (a sense of belonging)

4. Meaning (belonging to and serving something

bigger than oneself)

5. Achievement

Positive psychology was meant to provide stimuli

and ideas based on scientific findings that would

make life more fulfilled and positive, explains

Robertson, but it’s not a formula for perpetual bliss.

‘Change requires personal commitment and

motivation, and a fulfilled life involves dealing with

unpleasant feelings and crises,’ Blasbichler stresses.

BUILDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND

RESILIENCE

The terms emotional intelligence and resilience

always pop up in relation to crisis management.

‘Resilience is sometimes thought of as the soul’s

immune system, and describes the ability to

manage extreme situations,’ Robertson explains.

This ability to recover can be learned, but it doesn’t

happen overnight: ‘It’s about breaking out of

patterns, developing and utilising new strategies

and identifying scope for potential. We need to

learn to understand feelings, practise mindfulness

towards ourselves, improve self-management,

clarify personal goals and values, and learn social

skills,’ Blasbichler adds. ‘Another helpful approach

is to try to identify scope for potential even in

situations that have seemingly reached an impasse,’

Robertson says, adding: ‘What are my options?

What do I need to accept as givens and in which

areas can I have an influence?’ Moreover, we need

LITTLE LEXICON

OF POSITIVE

THINKING

It can be difficult to navigate

your way through the jungle

of self-help and scientific

literature, so Thomas

Blasbichler has put together an

explanation of the key terms

from Brockhaus Psychologie:

Fühlen, Denken und Verhalten

verstehen (2009) [Brockhaus

Psychology: Understanding

feelings, thoughts and

behaviour].

POSITIVE THINKING

This means adapting your

thought processes to promote

mental and physical health,

happiness and success.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

A scientific discipline that

investigates what makes people

happy and contributes to

wellbeing.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

This describes the ability to

identify your own feelings

and the feelings of others and

be able to influence them.

RESILIENCE

This describes the ability to

endure life crises or lasting

disruption. A roly-poly toy is

a good representation of a

resilient person.

42

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK!

Strategies

for managing stress 1

And the ways in which the Park Igls health resort can support you:

• Incorporate stress-balancing activities into your daily routine: e.g.

creative activities, sport/exercise, social activities that you enjoy,

relaxation breaks, etc. Part of the coaching approach at Park Igls is a

dialogue with you during which we identify the activities that best suit

you and your daily structure.

• Develop your own calming strategies: e.g. positive internal

monologues, breathing exercises or relaxation methods. Our

therapists and trainers will be delighted to help you.

• Avoid unnecessary stress: e.g. by saying no, respecting your own

boundaries, planning well or modifying your expectations of

yourself. During talk therapy, we work together to develop strategies

for setting better boundaries and conserving your resources.

• Work on how you deal with unavoidable stress: e.g. with the fourpoint

stress-management plan or by developing your own strategies

as part of a talk therapy at Park Igls.

• Healthy living – with Modern Mayr Medicine: colon hydrotherapy

and intestinal cleansing as part of a Mayr treatment programme boost

the immune system and create an ideal foundation for a healthy

lifestyle. As part of your treatment, you also learn how to design a

healthy but delicious nutrition plan, discover new activities and learn

how to comfortably integrate them into your daily routine.

Active stress management and ways out of life crises:

with the From Crisis to Resilience module at the Park Igls health retreat.

1

Bodenmann et. al. (2002)


Resilience

after crisis

The return to normality after a stressful crisis like

the recent lockdown can be difficult. We long

for the company of others and the mental balance

this brings, while at the same time feeling

comfortable in our solitary withdrawal from the

world.

With the help of therapeutic conversations and

exercises as well as relaxing treatments, you

will be able to face future stressful situations

more resiliently as well as overcoming any

current difficulties.

∞ Mayr Basic (see www.park.igls.at)

∞ 2 talk therapy/coaching sessions

(50 mins each)

∞ 2 personal training sessions

(50 mins each)

∞ 2 craniosacral therapy or Shiatsu sessions

(50 mins each)

∞ 3 full body massages – primarily

acupressure and connective tissue

massages (50 mins each)

∞ 3 combination heat packs

(hay flowers and moor)

The ‘What-Went-

Well Exercise’

‘Every night before you go to bed,

give yourself ten minutes for this

exercise. Write down three things

that went well during the day and

why they went well. You can use a

diary or your computer to make

a note of these events, but it’s

important to have a tangible record.

The three things don’t have to be

super significant, although obviously

it’s OK if they are. After writing

down each positive event, answer

the following question: How did this

come about?

Seligman, Flourish – A New Understanding of

Happiness and Well-Being – and How to

Achieve Them, 2012

€2,299 for 1 week, excluding Mayr medication

Price excludes accommodation

44

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK!

to regularly take time out for our own needs and

step off the hamster wheel to rest and refuel.

STRATEGIES ON THE JOURNEY

TO A FULFILLED LIFE

From a psychological perspective, there are various

strategies for managing life crises and stressful

situations. In theory, there are three different

approaches: problem-focused coping which

involves actively eliminating or changing the stress

trigger; emotion-focused coping which involves

changing your own behaviour to better manage

the situation, for example through relaxation

exercises; and, thirdly, appraisal-focused coping

which involves reappraising the environment in

order to be able to adequately deal with it. However,

we need to bear in mind that ‘every person

appraises situations differently – even stressful

situations. A stress reaction is triggered when the

resources available are inadequate for coping with

a situation,’ Blasbichler explains. Depending on the

resources at their disposal and how they appraise

things, a situation might be highly stressful for one

person, while another might consider it less so, or

not threatening at all.

There are things you can do to equip yourself with

appropriate resources: ‘I’m a great believer in

structure. Structure makes us feel safe and reduces

fear. For example, setting yourself a certain daily

routine and sticking to it whatever the restrictions

or difficulties, such as working from home, gives us

focus and stability,’ Robertson explains. ‘This could

be anything from regular bedtimes and wake-up

times to set mealtimes and a daily 9am gym

session.’ According to Blasbichler, a healthy

lifestyle that reduces stress through balancing

activities and relaxation exercises (see below) can

also really help replenish your natural resources for

managing stress. Individually, the strategies are just

tiny parts of the puzzle – together, however, they

can pave the way to a more relaxed and fulfilled

life, ultimately providing a light at the end of the

tunnel.

Dr Melanie Robertson

Clinical, health and neuropsychologist,

sports and emergency psychologist,

specialist in stress prevention and

acute intervention.

Thomas Blasbichler (MA)

Clinical and health psychologist, sports

psychologist, specialist in prevention, coach.


Did you know ...

… Park Igls has completely

stopped using plastic

water bottles? As well

as providing guests with

most delicious spring

water from the Tyrolean

Alps, our new water

fountain is a simple and

elegant addition to

the foyer.

… We run herbal workshops

every Thursday? During these

sessions, we put a selection

of seasonal herbs centre stage

before using them to make

beneficial products.

… We have devised a special

immune profile test?

Blood testing establishes

whether a patient lacks

vitamins, trace elements,

minerals or omega-3

fatty acids. Once we know

that, we can do something

about it.

… Our mucous membranes are

the first things to dry out

when we don’t drink enough?

This automatically stacks

the cards against us as we fight

bacteria and viruses.

… We offer our guests

a digital therapy plan?

Access your treatment

appointments and

our daily and weekly

programmes at any time

via mobile, tablet or

laptop..

… Only around 20%

of our vitamin D comes

from food? 80% is

produced by the skin

from direct sunlight.

IMPRINT

Responsible for content:

Gesundheitszentrum Igls GmbH,

Igler Strasse 51, 6080 Innsbruck-Igls

Tel +43 512 377 305

Fax +43 512 379 225

info@park-igls.at

www.park-igls.at

CONCEPT AND DESIGN

Studio Roth&Maerchy, Zurich

EDITORIAL

Andrea Gnägi (MA), Dr Peter Gartner, Dr Richard

Kogelnig, Dr Irene Brunhuber, Dr Jörg Duftner,

Werner Chizalli, Thomas Blasbichler (MA),

Dr Melanie Robertson, Maximilian Stangl,

Ingrid Striednig, Helene Forcher (MA)

marketing deluxe: Claudia Reichenberger,

Nicole Ginzinger (MA), Dr Heidemaria Abfalterer

Subject to changes, errors excepted.

COPY EDITING

marketing-deluxe.at

PHOTOGRAPHY

Fred Einkemmer, Ingrid Striednig,

Maricruz Aguilar, Innsbruck Tourismus

PRINTED BY

Alpina Druck, Innsbruck

Circulation: 2,500

© March 2021

Printed on 100% Circle Volume White recycled

paper, Blue Angel German Ecolabel, EU

Eco-Label, FSC ® -certified

46

DID YOU KNOW THAT ...

Accommodation

rates

Single rooms from 1,141

Double rooms* from 1,106

Suites* from 2,037

Park Igls Suite (for up to 5 people) from 8,330

Mayr Programmes

Mayr Detox

MAYR BASIC 1,079

Mayr Basic is a fixed component of your stay, and forms

part of every Mayr programme. It can also be booked

individually and supplemented with individual services.

MAYR CLASSIC 1,542

Time out for your health – the ideal introduction

to Modern Mayr Medicine.

MAYR INTENSIVE 2,021

Ideal for anyone aiming for optimal health

benefits on as broad a basis as possible.

MAYR SHORT STAY PROGRAMME 955

Designed for people who simply require a short

break for mental and physical relaxation.

Mayr Focus

MAYR DE-STRESS 2,070

Slow down and restore your energy flow.

MAYR PHYSIO 1,953

This module focuses on the relief of back and

joint complaints.

The indoor pool at Park Igls

MAYR METABOLIC 2,019

This module is recommended for guests suffering from food

intolerances, allergies, burnout and sleep disorders.

MAYR NEURO 2,200

Treatment of early-stage degenerative

nervous system diseases.

Diagnostics

SUPER MEDICAL CHECK 2,231

ULTRASOUND SCREENING PROGRAMME 958

Mayr Specials

IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER 2,742

The Park Igls team of doctors

FIT AFTER COVID 2,465

RESILIENCE AFTER CRISIS 2,299

FELDENKRAIS ® & MENTALCOACHING@MAYR 1,962

Prices in EUR, per person/week (7 nights),

valid until 18 December 2021

YOGA@MAYR 1,633

OFFERS & TREATMENT MODULES OVERVIEW 47

Feldenkrais® and

Mental Coaching@

Mayr

20 – 27 June 2021

A journey to new lightness. Combining Modern

Mayr Medicine with Feldenkrais ® and mental

coaching allows you to rediscover yourself and

develop your potential. In this learning process,

small adjustments to movement patterns lead

to major changes in the nervous system,

relieve pain, improve flexibility and bring

greater ease to movements. With the addition

of mental coaching, patterns of thought

and behaviour are examined and ways of

overcoming internal resistance identified.

This specialist programme is suitable for all age

groups, with no prior experience required.

Yoga@Mayr

22 – 29 August 2021

Settle, feel your breath, enjoy gentle

movements, stretches and a deep awareness

of your inward-looking, mindful spirit...

Yoga offers all of this and more as you find

connection and unity with your true self.

Our holistic approach combines Yoga, Modern

Mayr Medicine and a proven exercise

programme for anatomically correct posture.

Discover and explore your energy source

against the backdrop of an extraordinary

landscape, surrounded by the breathtaking

Tyrolean mountains, fragrant forests and

lush meadows. Restore inner energy levels for

enhanced health. Define your own Yoga style

and create space for you, your development

and enjoyment.


∞ 5 Feldenkrais ® group classes (60 mins each)

∞ 1 one-to-one Feldenkrais ® lesson (60 mins)

∞ 2 one-to-one mental coaching sessions

(50 mins each)

∞ 5 partial body massages (25 mins each)

∞ 1 liver compress with beeswax

€1,962 for 1 week excluding accommodation

Available as an individual service for €672:

5 Feldenkrais ® group classes (60 mins each)

1 one-to-one Feldenkrais ® lesson (60 mins)

2 one-to-one mental coaching sessions

(50 mins each)


∞ 4 Yoga group classes (80 mins each)

∞ 1 one-to-one Yoga lesson (50 mins)

∞ 5 partial body massages (25 mins each)

∞ 1 liver compress with beeswax

€1,633 for 1 week excluding accommodation

Available as an individual service for €347:

4 Yoga group classes (80 mins each)

1 one-to-one Yoga lesson (50 mins)

Park Igls | Gesundheitszentrum Igls GmbH | Igler Strasse 51 | 6080 Innsbruck-Igls | Austria

Tel +43 512 377 305 | Fax +43 512 379 225 | info@park-igls.at

www.park-igls.at

Parkzeit 2021-1 (EN)

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