Ever been prescribed or thought about hydrotherapy. What is hydrotherapy and how can I benefit from it?
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat illness, injury or to maintain health. The theory is that water has many properties that heal. Water can store and carry heat and energy. It can aslo dissolve other substances, such as minerals and salts.
Cooling or heating the body encourages blood flow and the elimination of toxins. Changing the water temperature eliminates toxins through sweating. Movement and temperature also increase circulation.
Hydrotherapy helps rehabilitation for of the muscular system, using the buoyancy of water to provide support for joints.
What does it involve?
There are various forms of hydrotherapy for different healing causes;
Irrigation – such as colonic irrigation. Also eye and ear irrigation.
Thermal therapy – heated pools, saunas and steam baths, and hot compresses are good for stiff joints and muscles as well as arthritis. Cold compresses and ice baths are great for muscle recovery after sport.
Mineral spas and baths – The healing powers of hot springs have been used for thousands of years. Hot springs are reputed to have a number of therapeutic benefits, with many scientists from around the world studying balneology or the “treatment of disease by bathing.”
Floatation tanks – Sensory deprivation therapy or just simply “floating” increases relaxation and reduces muscle tension. In addition it can speed up recovery from exercise and achieve a state of theta-brainwaves obtained with deep sleep.
Herbs – Rinses, compresses, steam baths and localised baths, for example for an eye infection or wound, orally infusions.
Exercise and joint mobilisation – exercises designed to be performed in the pool, usually with a physiotherapist. It is especially good for recovery from surgery such as knee or hip replacement.
When might you use hydrotherapy?
Muscular injury or after re-constructive joint surgery. Those suffering from rheumatoid or osteo-arthritis, general joint and muscular pain can also benefit.
