HYDROTHERAPY

 HYDROTHERAPY

Hydro is water therapy means treatment. Hydrotherapy is the use of water, both internally and externally and at varying temperatures, for health purposes. 

How does it work

Hydrotherapy relies on its thermal effects, in order to induce healing. It takes advantage of the body’s reaction to cold or hot stimuli, the pressure exerted by water, the protracted application of heat as well as the sensation of the water. These sensations and effects are then carried deeper into the skin by nerves. 

When this happens, these sensations stimulate the immune system, thus influencing the release of stress hormones, while improving digestion, circulation and blood flow, as well as reducing the body’s sensitivity to pain. 

In most circumstances, heat is used to soothe and quiet the body, while slowing down the activity of internal organs. 

On the other hand, cold is used to invigorate (give strength)and stimulate, thus increasing the body’s internal activity. Therefore, if you are suffering from anxiety and tense muscles, you should bathe with hot water. If you are feeling stressed out and tired, you should shower with hot water, followed by a short cold shower. This stimulates the mind and body.  

A neutral bath is the best to calm nerves/anxiety/sleeplessness. Neutral bath is when the water temperature matches the body temperature so that it is neither hot nor cold.

A hot bath reduces the metabolism of your entire body. Our body temperature is generally more than the ambient temperature. To maintain the body temperature the body burns more energy - this is one of the reasons for higher metabolic rate. By supplying heat externally (through hot water) we help body achieve the necessary temperature without any extra burning of energy. Thus heat application will reduce the metabolic activity. The opposite occurs with cold application. The body accelerates metabolism to help attain the necessary body temperature, thus after bathing in cold water we feel invigorated.

HYDROTHERAPY CONCEPT:

Health and healing are proportional to the normal flow of blood

WHY HYDROTHERAPY:

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE(hot)

BRIEF HOT APPLICATION: (3-5 min)

* Stimulates body by increasing circulation

* Dilates blood vessels in the area

PROLONG HOT APPLICATION: (> that 20-30 min)

* Acts to depress the body function

* Cause a decrease in circulation

* Congestion in the area

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE (cold)

BRIEF COLD APPLICATION (30 to 60 sec):

* First constricts blood vessels and then causes dilation of the same blood vessels.

PROLONG COLD APPLICATION (20 min):

* Causes an undesirable slow down body function

* Reduce skin sensation

“In health and in sickness, pure water is one of heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health” Ministry of Healing, P. 237

CONTRADICTION

1.    Abscess

2.    Acne

3.    Open Wounds

4.    Rash

5.    Skin infection

6.     Diabetic Neuropathy

7.     During Pregnancy (Avoid even  prolong hot bath)

8.     Multiple Sclerosis

9.     Diarrhea

10.   Spinal Cord Injury

11. Spina Bifida

12. Severe Kidney Infection

13. Severe Heart Condition

14. Extreme High and low Blood pressure

15. Reynaud's syndromes

Types of Hydrotherapy:

Hydrotherapy is divided into two main categories. These are external hydrotherapy and internal hydrotherapy.

External Hydrotherapy: 

Wet Sheet Pack, Hot Foot Bath, Hot and Cold Foot and Leg Bath, Contrast Shower, Cold Heating Compress, Contrast Therapy, Liver and Kidney Wrap, Neutral Bath, Fomentation is treatment with moist heat is referred as fomentation. Is very useful when it comes to treating conditions like arthritis, flu and chest cold, pain.

Internal hydrotherapy:

This form of therapy includes enemas, colonic irrigation, steam inhalation.  Colonic irrigation involves cleaning the entire bowel. Douching is another type of internal hydrotherapy.

Benefits of hydrotherapy in respiratory system:

 Hydrotherapy increases blood circulation, including circulation of the immune system’s white blood cells.  it improves respiratory infections.  Hydrotherapy is also known to reduce pain and inflammation 

In patients with upper respiratory infections, asthma, colds, influenza, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Methods like vaporizers, steam inhalation, hot tub sessions, fomentation, and saunas help to open airways and help white blood cells circulate to the affected areas, promoting healing and increasing respiration.

 HydroWorx pool with an underwater treadmill exercise has been found to have similar test results, on par with land-based exercises and progressions that is the power of an aquatic environment.

  As long as the patient is submerged to his or her chest level, the land effects of COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can be lessened thanks to the natural properties of water like hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure strengthens the diaphragm, improving the musculature in the chest area surrounding the lungs.