Archman is a village in

Baherden District Baherden District is a district of Ahal Province, Turkmenistan Turkmenistan ( or ; tk, Türkmenistan / Түркменистан, ) is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, ...

Turkmenistan Turkmenistan ( or ; tk, Türkmenistan / Түркменистан, ) is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the s ...

, famed for the eponymous hot springs located about 11 km away.

Etymology

Legend has it that the hot springs (and the village) were named after a shepherd who had discovered its healing properties, after getting cured of a

skin rash A rash is a change of the human skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, c ...

Medical Tourism

The spa, Archman Sanitorium ( tk, Arçman şypahanasy), was opened in 1915. Reputed for the healing properties of its water, different alternative treatment regimens—

mineral spa Mineral spas are spa resorts developed around naturally occurring mineral springs. Like seaside resorts, they are mainly used recreationally although they also figured prominently in prescientific medicine. Origins Spas were used for mille ...

gastric lavage Gastric lavage, also commonly called stomach pumping or gastric irrigation, is the process of cleaning out the contents of the stomach. Since its first recorded use in early 19th century, it has become one of the most routine means of eliminating ...

balneotherapy Balneotherapy ( la, balneum "bath") is a method of treating diseases by bathing, a traditional medicine technique usually practiced at spas. Since ancient times, humans have used hot springs, public baths and thermal medicine for therapeutic eff ...

, drinking therapy, and others—are available, in combination with medical imaging services and

physiotherapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, patie ...

. In 2001, President Niyazov opened a marble resort, replacing previous Soviet facilities; this was further expanded in 2009 into a 920-bed center. Primarily aimed at those patients who had to visit the sanatorium for about a week, the project has been fairly successful. There is one small mausoleum, devoted to Gochgar Ata, near the resort.

Limnology

The water is slightly alkaline with low sulfide levels; it is classified as potable water. It is rich in minerals like chlorine, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.

Transportation

In 2003, an Iranian company was contracted to connect the M37 highway with the sanitorium. It is also served by an eponymous station on the

Trans-Caspian Railway The Trans-Caspian Railway (also called the Central Asian Railway, russian: Среднеазиатская железная дорога) is a railway that follows the path of the Silk Road through much of western Central Asia. It was built by ...

, about 9 km away.

Notes

References

Populated places in Ahal Region {{Turkmenistan-geo-stub