Hydrotherapy and Other External Water Cures

Hydrotherapy, formerly known as hydropathy, is simply treating the external body with water.

You heard of using water to heal when you first heard about athletes going to the whirlpool machine. Hydrotherapy is much more than just bubble jets and pulsating water.

Although water alone can produce good results, when adding various salts, the outcomes are vastly improved.

Bonus Combine the Water Cures (drinking water and dissolving unprocessed sea salt in your mouth) for even greater results.

What Hydrotherapy Is

Formerly called hydropathy, it is a form of medical / physical /sports therapy involving various uses of water. Hot and cold water as well as water pressure are used to improve circulation and help manage symptoms of diseases and conditions. Hydrotherapy is even used for stress management and can be effective in treating pain.

Using water for therapeutic purposes includes whirlpool baths, hot tubs, Jacuzzi, cold plunges, cold showers (during sauna and otherwise), steam sauna, and mineral baths.

Types of Hydrotherapy

Immersion bath: The body is submerged up to the shoulders in water up to 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) for 20 minutes. Although treatments can be with only water, some forms of immersion baths include herbs, salts or oils. The primary benefit derived is relaxation.

Sitz Bath: A bath where only the butt and hips are immersed in water or a salt water solution. The temperature can be either hot or cold or can alternate between the two temps.

Sitz baths are beneficial for the treatment of hemorrhoids (as is taking a normal bathtub bath), constipation, inflammation, prostate problems, impotence, uterine cramps, vaginal discharge.

Hydro Massage: A bath were jets of water, bubbles or both are pointed to various parts of the submerged body. The pressures can be high, low or pulsating.

The primary benefit is improvement of circulation. It will be very relaxing.

Foot Bath: Soaking your feet in a warm tub of water or water, water with salts.

Warm foot baths improve coronary flow reserve in patients with mild-to-moderate coronary artery disease.

The research actually studied the effect of a warm foot baths (WFB) on coronary arteries in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Blood pressures, both systolic and diastolic as well as heart rate did not change with the warm foot baths. However, coronary flow significantly increased and CFR significantly improved after treatment. The warm foot bath was well tolerated and had no adverse effects. Note: The conclusion this was in patients with mild-to-moderate CAD. It further indicated that it can be applied with little risk of a coronary artery event if appropriately performed. This means that this should only be done with appropriate medical supervision.

Hydrotherapy is effective. But if you have any health conditions. it is necessary to make sure you are treated by experienced experts. If you experience any side effects, you should consult a an appropriate doctor immediately.

Steam Inhalation: Rather than immersing the body in steam, the steam is inhaled.

Research has shown that the viruses that cause the common cold cannot survive the temperatures produced by steam inhalation. If you have sinus infections, nasal congestion, post nasal drip and or chronic cough, then steam inhalation may help relieve your symptoms.

Caution: If you have high blood pressure, you should not use steam inhalation.

Cold foot bath: Here the feet are immersed in cold water (up to the ankles) for around one minute. Cold foot baths provide relief to tired feet. It is also found to be effective against insomnia, headaches, sprains and varicose veins.

Warm foot bath: In this type of foot bath, the feet are immersed in warm water (around 97 degrees Fahrenheit) for around ten minutes. Then it is followed up with a quick cold foot bath. This treatment stimulates blood vessels. It is also found to be effective in treating bladder infections, cold feet and insomnia. People with high blood pressure should avoid warm foot bath.

Steam Bath: Using steam make it possible to immerse the outside of the body as well as the nasal track and lungs to moist heat.

Steam baths are usually rooms with where high temperature steam is released resulting in a high humidity environment.

The temperature of the room is produced from the steam, usually about 90 degrees.

A cooling rinse shower is taken after completing the sauna.

As the temperature rises and the steam increases, your body temperature rises. With the increased heat comes perspiration. The steam and humidity creates an osmotic effect that includes the air along with the moisture.

Your body eliminates toxins and wastes. With the increased temperature, you body turns on the immune system. Both bad viruses and bacteria, ones that do not belong in the body are weakened or destroyed.

Your heart rate also increases, only not in the same way it does when doing cardio exercises. The increased circulation with out an increase in blood pressure enhances health.

Warning

Hot Dry Saunas can cause harm and even death if not used properly. There are also vary rare and extreme health problems that can result.

Steam baths are not recommended for pregnant women, small children, or the elderly.

On completion of the use of any sauna, a cool down shower rinse should be taken.

Note: An acquaintance who was in a dry sauna with me one evening left with out the cool down shower. He died in his sleep. He had a heart condition and did not know about it. He was around 24 years old. This further points to the importance of hydrating prior 30 to 45 minutes prior to entering the sauna.

Another example. Acute liver failure due to non-exertional heatstroke after sauna.

Non-exertional heatstroke induced acute liver failure is a rare and serious condition that could result from sauna exposure.

Benefits Of Steam Baths

Steam has been reported to be beneficial for...

• skin conditions
• pain
• chronic pain
• allergies
• respiratory allergies
• addictions
• respiratory conditions
• bronchitis
• asthma
• mild depression
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• nicotine addiction
• hypertension
• cardiovascular disease
• Fibromyalgia
• weight loss
• detoxification
• beautiful skin
• stress relief
• cellulite reduction
• joint pain relief
• eases sore muscles
• improves circulation
• reduces inflammation
• boosts the immune system
• congestive heart failure
• post-myocardial infarction care
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• chronic fatigue

Best Practice

Consider combining the water cure (drinking water and dissolving unprocessed sea salt in your mouth) with the various other types of hydrotherapy. This will make sure your body is well hydrated prior to the cleansing effect of the steam sauna or other forms of hydrotherapy.

More Water Cures Info