Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy - water therapy - is the use of water to promote healing. It is one of the oldest, simplest, and most effective of all the natural therapies. Water treatments include taking natural spring waters internally for their beneficial mineral content, and external treatments such as bathing, douches, and taking exercise in water.

Water cures originated in the use of natural spring water, often minerally rich, and sometimes also naturally warm to hot or very cold, and spas or watering places where people went to "take the cure" became popular all over Europe from the early 19th century. Many European spas were established during the time of the Roman occupation and are still in use. However, ordinary water is also used in hydrotherapy today. Water of either extreme of temperature is used, or can be used alternately. Hot water first stimulates and then relaxes, while cold water invigorates. Alternating hot and cold water stimulates blood and lymph circulation, relieves congestion, and tones tissues.

Through a variety of techniques, naturopaths use the therapy to improve circulation, stimulate the vital force, ease pain, reduce fever, relax the nervous system, and empty the bowels. Water therapy also contributes to encouraging the efficient elimination of wastes through the skin.

Baths

The various forms of baths include arm and foot baths, sitz baths, and whole-body immersion. Special baths include Turkish baths, spa baths, sea-water baths (or thalassotherapy), saunas. and various baths containing herbs (such as moor peat), minerals (Dead Sea or Epsom salts are examples), and other nutrients (Karwendel oils) for specific ailments or cleansing. Massage is often recommended, to be given in conjunction with the bath.

Sitz baths are hip baths used as a tonic or in the treatment of abdominal or pelvic disorders. The baths comprise two "bowls": you sit in one containing hot water and place your feet in cold water and vice versa. Alternatively, some naturopaths advocate transferring from hot to cold every two minutes, using one sitz bath at a time.

Sitz baths may be used to treat liver or kidney problems, constipation, and piles. The purpose of the bath is to relieve tissue congestion and improve blood and lymph circulation in the pelvic area.

Douches

Douches or showers were first used by the naturopath Vincent Preissnitz, who developed hydrotherapy in the 19th century. Cold water was poured over the patient with great force while he or she was also hosed with jets of water. Today, douches involve the use of hot and cold water sprays on specific areas of the body. When possible a strong jet of water is used, although treatment is adjusted to suit the individual. In what is known as the "Scottish douche" the jets are directed at the spine to stimulate the nervous system. Other examples are the Blitz jet-douche and needle shower.

Compresses

Compresses are either large pieces of absorbent cotton, lint, or, some­times, small towels that are soaked in either hot or cold water and applied to a particular part of the body. For example, for a painful and inflamed joint a cold compress will be used. The joint will then be wrapped in a thicker piece of dry fabric, which helps to retain the heat generated by the compress and so ease the pain and inflammation. Compresses can be made using infusions or pastes made from herbal remedies such as arnica, comfrey, marshmallow, or St. John's wort.

Fomentations, which involve the application of hot and cold towels, are used to stimulate circulation, ease pain, and relieve lung congestion.

"Packs" often consist of whole body, trunk, or abdominal wraps, used to reduce fever and encourage elimination of toxins through the skin.

Enemas

Enemas involve the use of water internally to cleanse the lower bowel of impacted feces.

This is a practice often recommended by naturopaths as a means of removing a buildup of harmful toxins from the bowel. A catheter is used to pass water at body temperature into the rectum. It is held for five to ten minutes before being released, taking the toxins with it.

Walking In Water

Nineteenth-century hydrotherapists advocated walking barefoot in dew or snow every morning. This may be impractical today, but walking in cold water baths about 14in/35cm deep is part of the regime in many modern hydrotherapy clinics and is said to have a general restorative effect. People with circulatory problems or diabetes should probably avoid this treatment unless under medical supervision.

© Doctor-clinic.org. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer :- The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor . We will not be liable for any complications or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon any information in this web site.