Hydrotherapy is the
application of water, internally or externally, for the treatment of physical
and physiological dysfunction. This form
of therapy can be utilized in the healing process of a variety of conditions,
such as inflammatory disorders, digestive health, neurological support and
immunomodulation. This therapy can be
applied to treat diseases or maintain overall health. The use of water for therapy has been around
for hundreds of years, as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans, and forms
an integral part in many traditional medicine systems.
WHY IS IT SO BENEFICIAL
TO YOUR HEALTH?
The healing properties of hydrotherapy
are based on its mechanical and/or thermal effects. It makes use of the body’s reaction to hot and
cold stimuli, to the protracted application of heat, to the pressure exerted by
the water, and to the sensation of the water itself. Nerves carry what is felt by the skin deeper
into the body, where it is then vital in stimulating the immune system,
influencing the production of stress hormones, improving circulation and
digestion, encouraging the flow of blood, and lessening the body’s sensitivity
to pain.
In addition, hydrotherapy supports healing by leading to the activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). This arm of the Autonomic Nervous System is
responsible for producing what is referred to as the “relaxation response,” a
physiological response that is in direct contrast to the stress or “flight or
fight” response. When the body is at
rest we are able to “heal” and “digest” properly. What
better way is there to promote healing than to place your body in the right
environment to heal accordingly?
How
Hydrotherapy Supports Healing:
MUSCLE SUPPORT: Loosens Tense, Tight Muscles And Encouraging Relaxation
|
METABOLISM: Increases The Metabolic Rate And Digestion Activity
|
SKIN TONE: Hydrates The Cells, Improving Skin And Muscle Tone
|
IMMUNE: Boost The Immune System, Allowing It To Function More Efficiently
|
CIRCULATION: Improves The Function Of The Internal Organs By Stimulating Their
Blood Supply
|
DETOX: Dramatically Increases The Elimination Of Waste, Thus Assisting
Detoxification
|
HOW HYDROTHERAPY WORKS
IN THE HEALING PROCESS?
The way it works…heat is used to quiet
and soothe the body, and to slow down the activity of internal organs. Cold is
used to stimulate and invigorate, increasing internal activity within the body.
If you are experiencing tense muscles or
anxiety, heat is recommended in the shower or bath. For feeling tired and stressed out, it is
recommended to take a warm shower or bath followed by a short cold shower to
help stimulate the body and mind.
Optimal
Zone of Challenge: just what the body
is capable of, challenges it just enough
Tepid
|
Neutral
|
Warm
|
Hot
|
↓cool
↓ inflammation
↓ blood flow
|
Tonifies
Neither hot or cold
Unreactive nervous system
|
↑ circulation
↑ metabolism
↑ immune function
Decongestion
|
Same as warm but if you sustain the
hot, it will cause detox
|
Tonify: strengthen without much stimulation
Decongest: move metabolic waste out of the way
APPLICATIONS OF HYDROTHERAPY:
There are several
forms of hydrotherapy which are beneficial for many conditions. These include baths and showers, neutral
baths, sitz baths, contrast sitz baths, foot baths, cold mitten friction rub,
steam inhalation, hot compresses, cold compresses, alternating hot and cold
compresses, heating compresses, body wrap, wet sheet pack, and salt glow.
ALTERNATING SITZ BATH
The sitz bath is
an immersion bath with the person seated in a tub with water covering the hips,
buttocks, and lower abdomen. It is used to decrease congestion and increase
circulation to the pelvic and lower abdominal organs. Consult your Naturopathic health care
practitioner before using this therapy.
Directions:
- Prepare a tub with hot water at a
temperature of 105-110 degrees F. This range is about the same or slightly
warmer than a typical hot tub. Do not exceed 120 degrees F. Fill the tub
so that it comes to 1 inch above your navel when you are in a seated
position.
- Put a long towel in a separate, small ice
water bath (a bucket or large bowl will suffice) placed next to the tub.
- Sit in the hot bath for at least 3
minutes.
- After hot bath, stand and, without wringing
out towel, wrap the cold towel around pelvis like a diaper. Make sure that
the towel is touching your skin all the way around. Do not allow the towel
to come up higher than 1 inch below your navel. Leave on for 30 seconds.
Return towel to ice bath.
- Sit down in the hot bath for another 3
minutes.
- Repeat cold towel wrap, as before, for 30
seconds.
- Sit down in hot bath for another 3
minutes.
- Repeat cold towel wrap, as before, for 30
seconds.
- Following the third cold towel wrap, get
out of tub and dry off.
CONSTITUTIONAL
HYDROTHERAPY
Goals and principles of Constitutional Hydrotherapy treatment
One of the principles of naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy
is that health (and healing) is proportional to the normal flow of healthy
blood. Naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy influences the quantity of
blood flowing through a given tissue and improves the quality of the blood
circulating. This is accomplished in the treatment by enhancing blood flow
through the organs of elimination (skin, liver, lungs, kidneys, colon) and
subsequently deriving improved blood quality through the increased elimination
of metabolic waste products. Concomitant treatment, aimed at tonifying the
organs of digestion and improving the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients
into the blood, help to build up desirable blood elements such as oxygen,
nutrients, optimize blood and immune cell populations, further improving
overall blood quality. Consult your
Naturopathic health care practitioner before using this therapy.
Viewing the blood as the vehicle conveying life to all cells
(oxygen, nutrients, etc.), naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy manipulates
the circulation in order to maximize the benefits of this process for overall
health and healing. It enhances the immune response, improves overall
nutrition, promotes detoxification and helps restore nervous equilibrium.
Naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy works because it helps to optimize the
quality of blood, while improving the efficiency of its circulation.
Procedure for Home Constitutional Hydrotherapy:
Although an in-office procedure with sine wave treatment is the
most effective form of Constitutional Hydrotherapy, the repeated use of home
constitutional hydrotherapy can be very useful. Consult your health care
practitioner before using this therapy.
- Prepare a basin with
cold water, add at least one tray of ice cubes to it, and place a thin
hand towel into the cold water.
- The treatment recipient
should stay warm, on a comfortable surface, and tucked under several
blankets throughout the treatment. To keep the blankets dry, you can keep
beach towels between the wet towels and the blankets.
- Soak 2 thick towels with
hot water, the towels folded in half should still cover the chest and
abdomen for a total of 4 layers.
- Take the bath towel from
hot basin, wring it out, fold it and place the 2 hot towels on the
affected area for 5 minutes. A 3rd hot towel would be ideally used to
re-heat the chest and abdomen after the 5 minutes to assure the area is
well warmed.
- After that time, wring
out the cold towel, remove the hot towel from the affected area and
quickly place the cold towel over the chest and abdomen. Wrap in warm
blankets and allow the body to warm the cold towel over 10 minutes. If you
do not warm the towel in 10 minutes, contact your physician for modified
instructions.
- Prepare the hot towels
again and apply to the entire back and repeat the cycle.
***NOTE** Apply preferred essential oil during treatment as an
additive Aromatherapy benefit.
EPSOM
SALT DETOX BATH
1. Prepare Warm Water Bath (enough so that
you can relax in)
2. Add 2 to 4 cups Epsom Salt
3. 8-12 Drops of 2 Essential Oils
a. Essential Oils: Lavender, Chamomile,
Lemon Balm, or Orange Blossom
4. ½ cup of White Vinegar
5. ½ cup of Baking Soda (optional)
6. Relax in bath for 30 -45 mins
7. Prepare
Fresh Tea to support further detoxification:
a. Fresh organic ginger
root – brew / cook for 5 mins (hot tea) and relax in bath
8. Take a Detox Bath once a week for 6
months
ENJOY A HEALING DAY AT OUR MEDISPA TODAY!
2717 Commercial Ctr Blvd,
Katy, TX 77494
PHONE: 832-913-5022
&
1002 Blackhaw St.
Houston, TX 77079
PHONE: 281-496-3772
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