Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to revitalize, maintain, and restore health. Hydrotherapy treatments include saunas, steam baths, foot baths, sitz baths, and the application of cold and hot water compresses.

Father Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century Bavarian monk, is said to be the father of hydrotherapy. Kneipp believed that disease could be cured by using water to eliminate waste from the body.

Hydrotherapy is popular in Europe and Asia, where people "take the waters" at hot springs and mineral springs. In North America, it is often recommended as self-care by naturopathic doctors.

According to proponents of hydrotherapy, cold water is used because it is stimulating and causes superficial blood vessels to constrict, shunting the blood to internal organs. Hot water causes blood vessels to dilate, and removes wastes from body tissues. Alternating hot and cold water is done to improve elimination, decreases inflammation, and stimulates circulation.

Hubbard Tub with wooden patient lift.

Types of HydrotherapyHydrotherapy treatments are often given at health spas or recommended as home self-care treatments. These are some types of hydrotherapy:

Sitz bath - There are 2 adjacent tubs of water, one hot and one cold. You sit in one tub with your feet in the other tub, and then alternate. Sitz baths are recommended for hemorrhoids, PMS and menstrual problems, cystitis, polyps.

Warm water baths - Soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes, depending on the condition. Epsom salts, mineral mud, aromatherapy oils, ginger, moor mud, and dead sea salts may be added.

Sauna - Dry heat

Steam bath or Turkish bath

Compresses - Towels are soaked in hot and/or cold water.

Wraps - Cold wet flannel sheets are used to cover the a person lying down. The person is then covered with dry towels and then blankets. The body warms up in response and dries to wet sheets. This is used for colds, bronchitis, skin disorders, infection, and muscle pain.

Wet sock treatment - Used for sore throat, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections.

Hot fomentation - For treatment of acute conditions such as chest colds and coughs. It seems to relieve symptoms but also decrease the length of the illness.

Is hydrotherapy similar to spa therapy?

Spa therapy is based on the theory that the mineral content of spa water has special health-giving properties. In many European countries, hydrotherapy often takes place in spa water. Although there’s some research that suggests the mineral content of the water may make a difference, other studies show that hydrotherapy has significant benefits regardless of the water used.

Using Hydrotherapy for Health

So far, scientific support for the benefits of hydrotherapy is limited. If you're considering the use of hydrotherapy, talk with your doctor first. Keep in mind that hydrotherapy, or any other form of alternative medicine, should not be used as a substitute for standard care in the treatment of any health condition.

Side effects
Most forms of hydrotherapy are well tolerated. There is a risk of allergic reaction (also known as contact dermatitis) for some patientsusing essential oils and herbs in their bath water. These individuals may want to test for allergic sensitization to herbs by performing askin patch test (i.e., rubbing a small amount of diluted herb on the inside of their elbow and observing the spot for redness and irritation).People who experience an allergic reaction to an essential oil should discontinue its use and contact their healthcare professional forfurther guidance.

The most serious possible side effect of hydrotherapy is overheating, which may occur when an individual spends too much time in a hottub or jacuzzi. However, when properly supervised, this is a minimal risk.

Research and general acceptance

Hydrotherapy treatments are used by both allopathic and complementary medicine to treat a wide variety of discomforts and disorders.Not as well accepted are invasive hydrotherapy techniques, such as colonic irrigation, enemas, and douching. These internal cleansingtechniques can actually harm an individual by upsetting the natural balance of the digestive tract and the vagina. Most conventionalmedical professionals agree that vaginal douches are not necessary to promote hygiene in most women, and can actually do more harmthan good.