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Hydrotherapy: Healing with Water by Debra Kirchhof-Glazier Member, Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association Hydrotherapy involves using water of different temperatures and in various ways to facilitate healing. It is practiced as a comprehensive modality by naturopathic physicians and in specialized ways by physical therapists and some types of complementary and alternative practitioners.
The efficacy of hydrotherapy in promoting healing is based on the ability of water to stimulate the circulation and the immune system and to enhance detoxification. Warmth dilates blood vessels and cold constricts them. Therefore, alternating the application of hot and cold compresses to an area of the body sets up a pump-like action in the underlying circulation, which serves to stimulate blood flow. Increased blood flow, in turn, brings nutrients to the area and removes toxins. There also appears to be a general stimulation of the immune system by some forms of hydrotherapy through mechanisms that are not clearly understood. In addition, water can be used to detoxify the body by stimulating sweating or by serving as a medium to flush wastes and secretions from body cavities. The following treatments represent some of the main ways in which hydrotherapy is used in healing. Although some of these treatments can be done at home, it is essential to get guidance from an experienced practitioner, as each treatment has one or more contraindications. Contrast hydrotherapy is one of the most commonly used forms of hydrotherapy and involves applying heat for 3 minutes, cold for 30 seconds and repeating the treatment three times. Water-soaked compresses are used on specific areas of the body to relieve pain and/or stimulate the circulation. Hot and cold sitz baths, in which the lower body is immersed in water of different temperatures, can help treat vaginal and bladder infections, pelvic congestion, and hemorrhoids. Alternating footbaths aid in reducing pain and swelling of the feet and can even help relieve congestion headaches. Water can also stimulate the immune system. One simple way to do this is to end each shower with 30 seconds of cold water. However, the most powerful way is through constitutional hydrotherapy. This is a special technique, best done by a trained practitioner, that can improve recovery from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. It involves application of hot towels to the chest and wrapping the body in a wool blanket. After five minutes, the hot towels are replaced by a cold one for about 10 minutes. The body is forced to warm up the cold towel, which produces the therapeutic outcome. The procedure is repeated on the back, often with electrical stimulation. The “warming sock” treatment is a curious but effective method for treating colds, headaches, sore throats, ear infections, and other problems involving congestion and infection in the head and upper body. It can also help relieve some cases of insomnia. The feet are soaked in warm water for 5 minutes. Then a pair of cotton socks is immersed in cold water up to the ankle portion and wrung out. The socks are placed on the feet and covered with a pair of woolen socks. The person then goes to bed and wraps up with a warm blanket, keeping the socks on for the entire night. In the morning the socks will be dry and the symptoms alleviated. Heat stimulates sweating, which is an important way in which the body detoxifies. Steam baths and saunas have long been known in this regard. In addition, a simple way to optimize this type of detoxification effect is with an Epsom salt bath. The Epsom salt increases the volume of sweat released by osmosis, which can remove more toxins. The procedure consists of adding two cups of Epsom salt, ½ cup of baking soda, and a tablespoon of oil to a full tub of hot water. After 20 minutes of immersion, the skin is rubbed briskly with a loofah or wash cloth. There is a second period of soaking for about 15 minutes, followed by a cool shower and rest. Wet sheet packs are good for detoxifying through the skin. The patient is wrapped in a cold, wet sheet, and the body gradually warms up to the point of profuse sweating. This treatment is especially useful in treatment of substance abuse. Heavy smokers often stain the sheet brown from the nicotine that comes out of their pores. Nasal lavage, a popular treatment in Colonic hydrotherapy is a treatment in which water, often enhanced with medicinal herbs or probiotics (good bacteria), is inserted into the rectum to wash out wastes, some of which may have been present for years. A healthy colon is critical to wellness for a variety of reasons and thus, colonic hydrotherapy can have far-reaching positive effects. It is also a risky procedure, however, as done improperly, can cause rupture of the colon and death. It is essential to have a knowledgeable practitioner administer a colonic. Huntingdon is fortunate to have some board-certified colonic hydrotherapists. In summary, water can be a powerful ally in healing and is a modality that merits serious consideration. Used alone or in conjunction with conventional medicine, hydrotherapy can provide welcome relief from many acute and chronic conditions. If you wish to locate a hydrotherapy practitioner in our area, contact the Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association. |
