Zander Institute of Mechanotherapy is a place of attraction for guests of the resort city of Yessentuki

Remember the funny episode from the film «Love and Doves», where the main characters undergo treatment of the musculoskeletal system using devices? This comical scene was filmed in Yessentuki, where on the Alley of Springs in the Resort Park the Zander Institute of Mechanotherapy has been pleasing the eye with its unusual architecture for more than 100 years.

The architect I.I. Zelinsky faced a difficult task: to build a spacious, complex building in the shortest possible time and inexpensively. Hence the unusual design of the project: a wooden frame and brick laying of spaces.

The grand opening of the Zander Institute of Massage, Orthopedics and Medical Gymnastics took place on July 4, 1902. Then, many years ago, it was a new «word» in spa treatment.

The devices for the institute building were purchased abroad and designed by Swedish physiotherapist Gustav Zander.

The term «mechanotherapy» itself appeared in the middle of the 19th century. This is the name given to the method of treating diseases using massage and therapeutic exercises.

The effect of «mechanotherapy»:

  • Restoration of blood circulation
  • Reduction of inflammation
  • Destruction of salt deposits

The indisputable advantage of this method of treatment is the deep impact on individual parts of the body, due to which a precisely targeted and strictly dosed load is applied to the diseased organ.

In a duet, mechanical gymnastics and vibration massage provide a highly effective therapeutic effect on unhealthy organs, and together with mud procedures and mineral baths it shows a truly «magical» result.

Interesting facts:

  • Konstantin Stanislavsky, Fyodor Chaliapin and many other celebrities who chose the Yessentuki resort for their vacation used these machines in their time.
  • During the Second World War, the Nazis became interested in valuable training equipment, and they intended to take it out of the city. The sports equipment was saved by mechanic Zhernokleev, who dismantled it for parts. Fortunately, the Germans were not interested in scrap metal. After the war, the mechanisms were successfully restored.
  • Today, the hospital has 54 devices and you can still exercise on these hundred-year-old fitness machines.