To promote Healing and Pain Relief

Hydrotherapy is a series of specialised water-based treatments developed to stimulate
general or local circulation in the blood vessels. This promote healing of injured or
diseased parts of the body, by allowing more metabolic wastes and other toxins to be
removed and more nutrients to flow into the area.

The treatment is applied in the form of an immersion bath or hot/cold compresses.
The water itself, while soothing, does not create the response in the tissues, but is due to
reaction by the nerves in the skin to the heat or cold applied to the area.

As a general rule we can say that heat expands vessels, increases blood flow and relaxes
nerves and tissues, while cold constricts vessels, reduces blood flow and stimulates nerves
and tissues.

Acute conditions, such as sprains and strains, require cold applications to reduce swelling
and therefore tissue damage. Chronic conditions, like stiff joints and aching back, require
heat to soothe and relax the area. Hot and cold can often be used alternately to stimulate
an area for more rapid recovery. The pattern to be used for alternating treatments is three
minutes hot and one minute cold, applied three times all together.

Hydrotherapy should not be regarded as a primary therapy, but rather as a supplement
to other forms of therapy.

Here follows a brief description of the more common techniques:

Hot and cold sitz baths
Produce a flushing effect in the pelvic region, which helps relieve chronic constipation
and pelvic pain. Sit for three minutes in a tub of warm water at approximately 40 degrees
Celsius with the feet in a bowl of cold water. Then for one minute, sit in another tub
containing cold water with the feet in hot water. Repeat this process three times in total –
being sure to finish sitting in the cold tub- then dry briskly with a towel and dress warmly.

Hot and cold leg baths.
These stimulates circulation in the legs and help fluid retention, cramps, restless legs,
chronic injuries and possibly varicose veins. A suitable leg bath is a clean garbage bin,
two of which are required. The procedure and water temperatures are similar to those
for sitz baths.

Hot and cold hand baths
Good for circulation, arthritis and chronic injuries in the hands. As with the above
procedures, using bowls of hot and cold water, bathe the hand for three minutes
and one minute respectively, and repeat the cycle twice more. Dry promptly.

Hot and cold foments
Used to stimulate circulation for healing and pain relief in parts of the body where baths
can’t be used. Wrap a hot water bottle in several layers of towel and place on the
effected part for three minutes. Then rinse another towel in cold (not freezing) water.
Wring gently so that it doesn’t drip, and place on the area for one minute.
Repeat the cycle twice more. Take care that the hot phases don’t burn the skin –
use more layers of towel if necessary.

Cold compresses
Apply to sprains, bruises, and insect bites.

Steam inhalations
These help clear nasal passages and ease respiratory conditions. Place four cups of
boiling water in a bowl. Sit with the head over it, and cover both head and bowl with
a towel. Inhale until there is no more steam. Be careful not to burn the airways.

Some general guidelines for hydrotherapy need to be kept in mind:
*  Sit or rest comfortable during the procedure.
*  Watch for any reactions indicating sensitivity to heat or cold.
*  Cease the treatment if pain increases
*  Do only one hydrotherapy treatment at a time
*  Limit treatments to two per day, because more than this could drain vitality.