How Hydrotherapy Works

Nine (9) Remarkable Water Therapeutic properties

1) Nearly always available, abundant, and cheap
2) Great power for absorbing and releasing heat
3) Solvent properties, Water being the one universal solvent
4) Easy to Apply
5) Non-irritating (even internally)
6) Proper Density for Buoyancy
7) Water gives up heat rapidly, yet it doesn’t cool too rapidly
8) Proper Viscosity (Fluidity)
9) Exists in three states at useful temperatures

How Hydrotherapy Works

• Heating effect – Helps to relax muscles and reduce any muscle spasm. The heat of the Water also enhances circulation of blood round the body which is vital in speeding up the healing process.

• Reduced gravitational forces – Reduced gravity allows movement of joints which may usually be limited as there is less resistance against them.

• Buoyancy effect – Water supports the body, allowing it to float, thus relieving Stress on weight-bearing joints, allowing patients unable to weight bear the opportunity to do so without worry of further injury.

• Resistance effect – Water drag adds resistance which is usable to the strengthening muscles.

Physiological Effects of Hot & Cold Water Treatments

a) Heat
• Increases blood flow (Increase circulation)
• Increases the inflammatory response.
• Increases Dropsy / Edema production.
• Increases hemorrhage (Expand blood vessels)
• Decreases muscle pain and spasm (Relax muscles)
• Decreases Stiffness in Arthritis (Provide Stress relief and relaxation)
• Reduce discomfort from Colds and sore throats (Warm/moisten the breathing passages)
• Flush toxins
• Help nervous disorders

b) Cold
• Decreases blood flow (Activate the body’s circulation)
• Decreases the inflammatory response (Reduce inflammation)
• Decreases Dropsy / Edema production
• Decreases hemorrhage (Constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling)
• Decreases muscle pain and spasm (Help with Sprains and Headaches)
• Increases Stiffness in Arthritis
• Aid during/post dental surgery

Requirements for an Effective Hydrotherapy

1) For overall tension reduction, use a neutral bath (temperature between 33-34 degree C) that is close to the Skin temperature.

2) Use Water temperature between 38-41 degree C for loosening tight, tense muscles and reducing the pain of stress-related conditions such as Back Ache. Using temperatures higher than 41 degrees is not recommended as it can raise your body temperature very fast, inducing an artificial Fever.

3) Take a cold shower after you step out of the bath. This brings and immediate rush of blood through your system, as well as a rush of Energy. Try alternating cold and hot shower to get a similar effect. 3 minutes of hot Water followed by 30 seconds of cold Water and the 3 minutes of hot Water, etc.

4) Stay in the bath for 15-20 minutes. If you have High Blood Pressure or cardiovascular problems, don’t stay long enough to raise your body temperature.

5) Evening is the best time to soak in Water

Points to Remember in General

• Prayer with the patient.

• Keep the treatment room warm and free from drafts.

• Give the patient Water to drink during the treatment.

• Cold towels and washcloths should not be soggy wet as Water dripping over ears and down the body can be uncomfortable and also may lead to chilling.

• It feels uncomfortably colder when towel or washcloth is left wet after wringing from ice Water.

• Be careful not to burn the patient. Each person is different and has a different heat tolerance.

• Be especially careful with thin or aged persons and children. They can generally take less heat.

• Be careful not to spread Infections. Wash your hands before and after treatments. Wear a mask if you or the patient are contagious.

• Do not apply fomentation where there is danger of hemorrhage or suspected malignancy.

• The treatment must be skillfully given to avoid worsening patient’s condition.

• Clean equipment with bleach or another disinfectant after each treatment.

Points to Remember about the Patient

• The patient should be rested before a treatment (at least 10 minutes before treatment).

• Avoid giving hydrotherapy immediately after the patient has eaten a meal.

• Insist that the patient rest after the treatment.

Points to Remember on Possible Problems during Treatment

• The patient cannot warm up enough or Sweat. Give warm Water to drink, apply more covers, place a fomentation between the buttocks and hot foot bath.

• Hyper-ventilation occurs when the patient is losing too much carbon dioxide by breathing too rapidly or too deeply. He may feel light headed and experience numbness and tingling in his extremities. Have him breath into a paper bag until the tingling disappears.

• Dizziness, faintness, or weakness can be caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure or blood sugar. Take the pulse and the blood pressure. If the blood pressure is 80/60 or below, discontinue heat applications, elevate the legs, and give a salty broth to drink.

• When giving a treatment to a patient with Diarrhea, be sure he has adequate electrolyte (Sodium, Potassium) and Water replacement.

1) Chronic Pain Conditions

Hydrotherapy is a recommended course of treatment for patients with any type of chronic pain condition.

Hydrotherapy reduces pain by promoting normal movement, increasing muscle length, and increasing muscle strength and control.

Chronic Pain Conditions that may benefit from hydrotherapy
• Fibromyalgia
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Longstanding Musculoskeletal System conditions

2) Neurological Conditions

Hydrotherapy is used to treat people with many neurological conditions, in combination with other rehabilitative techniques.

Neurological conditions that may benefit from hydrotherapy
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Cerebro-Vascular Accident (CVA – commonly known as a Stroke)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• LymphDropsy / Edema

Benefits of hydrotherapy for neurological conditions
• Prevent soft tissue contractures and mobilise stiff joints
• Use of buoyancy effect to enhance muscle activity
• Develop motor control through use of functional goals
• Increase muscle strength and reduce muscle spasm
• Increase endurance
• Increase function and enhance independence
• Improve quality of life

3) Cardiovascular / Pulmonary Conditions

Hydrotherapy can be used to enhance muscular and cardiopulmonary endurance in the Elderly.

Cardiovascular / Pulmonary Conditions that may benefit from hydrotherapy
• Rehabilitation following cases chronic Heart Failure
• An exacerbation of Respiratory disease

4) Musculoskeletal System Conditions

Hydrotherapy can help improve function following a Musculoskeletal System injury, whether sport related or age related.

Musculoskeletal System injuries that may benefit from hydrotherapy
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Osteoporosis
• Repetitive motion injury
• Sports Injuries
• Ankle Sprain
• Hamstring Strain
• QuadRiceps Strain
• Lower Back Pain
• Supraspinatus muscle tears
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Shoulder pain

Benefits of hydrotherapy for Musculoskeletal System injuries
• Treatment of Musculoskeletal System injuries and speed up the restoration of function.
• Decrease pain
• Improve strength
• Improve flexibility
• Increase confidence

5) Orthopaedic Conditions

Hydrotherapy is used to quicken the recovery of patients following any surgery which results in decreased movement, decreased strength, and pain.

Hydrotherapy is commonly used for people recovering from lower limb surgery having difficulty mobilizing and /or inability to weight-bear fully.

Hydrotherapy can however also be used for rehabilitation following upper limb and back surgery.

Surgeries that would benefit from hydrotherapy
• Total joint replacement (hip, knee, ankle)
• Spinal surgery (discectomy, decompression, laminectomy, fusion, fixation)
• Fixation of a fracture (Pelvis, neck / shaft of femur, tibial plateau)
• Open reduction and internal fixation (tibia/fibula, ankle, femoral shaft)
• Muscle repair (QuadRiceps, Hamstrings)
• Ligament repair (anterior / posterior cruciate ligament surgery, medial / lateral collateral)
• Meniscectomy or meniscus repair
• Orthopaedic surgery to any joint in the upper body
• Amputations and total replacement of a lower limb joint

Benefits of hydrotherapy following orthopaedic surgery
• Decrease pain
• Increase range of movement (joint) and muscle strength following back, abdominal or lower limb surgery
• Increase strength
• Improve functional ability
• Encourage correct functional movement patterns
• Improve balance
• Enhance quality of life

6) Hydrotherapy for Children

Hydrotherapy is common in the treatment of children with neurological and orthopaedic conditions, or following surgery to enhance function and improve quality of life.

Paediatric conditions that may benefit from hydrotherapy
• Cerebral palsy
• Spina bifida
• Muscular dystrophy
• Autism
• Dyspraxia
• Down’s syndrome
• Rett syndrome
• Infantile Spinal muscular atrophy
• Orthopaedic surgery

Benefits of hydrotherapy for children
• Promotion of normal development
• Working towards physical milestones
• Decrease pain
• Normalise tone
• Increase strength
• Increase function
• Provide relaxation if appropriate
• Mobilise stiff joints
• Increase ability to weight-bear

7) Hydrotherapy for Special Needs

Water has been shown to be a significant tool in the treatment of children with special needs and people with Spinal Injuries.

Benefits of hydrotherapy for special needs
• Sensory stimulation
• Motor stimulation
• Increased range of motion/flexibility
• Social skill development
• Learning to know and trust one’s body

1) Water Therapies which Increase both Heat Production & Heat Elimination

(Listed from the Most to the least powerful)

a) Graduated bath
b) Cooling wet sheet pack
c) Cold friction bath
d) Prolonged tepid full bath at 88º F
e) Short hot full bath)
f) Pail pour (or sprinkling /shower)
g) Tepid pail pour
h) Cold pail pour
i) Cold compress
j) Graduated compress
k) Evaporating sheet
l) Cold to head and neck
m) Cold to spine
n) Cold to abdomen
o) Cold over heart
p) Cold colonic
q) Tepid (or cold enema)
r) Cold Water drinking

2) Water Therapies which Increase the Elimination of Heat

(Listed from the Most to the least powerful)

a) Hot bath for 2-3 minutes followed by a cold bath with friction for 1 minute.
b) Hot blanket pack
c) Hot evaporating sheet
d) Hot sponge bath
e) Fomentation to the back
f) Fomentation to the abdomen followed by the cold enema.
g) Fomentation to the back followed by a cold wet sheet pack.
h) Hot blanket pack (followed by Graduated bath).
i) Hot blanket pack (followed by Prolonged tepid bath).
j) Hot blanket pack (followed by Cold friction).
k) Dry friction (rubbing the skin with a dry cloth).
l) Cold friction

3) Water Therapies which Encourage the Destruction of Toxins

These are procedures which encourage vital resistance to disease and also encouraging the destruction of toxins by stimulating the toxin-destroying cells of the Thyroid, Liver, spleen, Lymphatic, and other tissues.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Hepatic douche
b) Splenic douche
c) General cold douche

4) Water Therapies which Encourage the Elimination of Toxins

Encourages detoxification as saunas and Steam rooms induce considerable Sweating, which Flush out impurities and toxins through the Skin (Sweating).

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Radiant Heat Bath
b) Sweating wet sheet pack
c) Steam bath

5) Water Therapies which Greatly Increase Leucocyte Action

These are procedures help increase white blood cell formation.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) General cold bath
b) Heating compress frequently renewed
c) Alternate heating compress
d) Revulsive douche
e) Alternate douche

6) Water Therapies which Greatly Encourage Elimination of Bacteria by The Skin & Kidneys

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Steam bath – followed by a Cold mitten friction, Cold towel rub, or some other cold procedure.
b) Sweating wet sheet pack – followed by a Cold mitten friction, Cold towel rub, or some other cold procedure.
c) Prolonged neutral bath – followed by a Cold mitten friction, Cold towel rub, or some other cold procedure.
d) Sweating baths – followed by a Cold mitten friction, Cold towel rub, or some other cold procedure.
e) Copious water drinking – followed by a Cold mitten friction, Cold towel rub, or some other cold procedure.

7) Water Therapies which Increase Oxidation

Cold baths increase the absorption of oxygen, the elimination of carbon dioxide, and the oxidation of fat and Carbohydrates.

Boosts the Immune System – Increasing blood flow and circulation of white blood cells around the body allows Lymph to be moved through the body more efficiently. Lymph is an Immune System Fluid that helps collect and get rid of unwanted Materials from the body.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) More prolonged cold baths
b) Dripping sheet rub
c) Rubbing shallow bath
d) Cold full bath
e) Plunge (quick dip into a bath tub of cold water)
f) Cooling wet sheet pack

8) Water Therapies which are the Most Efficient means of Stimulating Nitrogen Oxidation

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Hot full bath
b) Heating wet sheet pack
c) Dry pack
d) Steam bath
e) Hot air
f) Sun bath
g) Radiant Heat Bath

9) Water Therapies which Excite the Central Nerve Ganglia

Promote relaxation and rest – Relieves Stress by helping to reduce blood pressure caused by Stress and also releases endorphins (a natural Stress Fighter).

Stimulating the Nervous System – Improved balance and coordination, and decreasing Headaches.

These are procedures are helpful in cases dynamic Fevers, many neurasthenic conditions, Cardiac Failure, hypopepsia, kidney insufficiency, and various visceral Congestions.
A very hot application followed by very cold applications.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Alternate general douche
b) Percussion Spinal douche
c) Alternate Spinal douche
d) Alternate Spinal sponging
e) Alternate Spinal compresses
f) Alternate full bath (followed by various forms of cold)
g) Alternate localized compresses

10) Water Therapies which Encourage Metabolic Processes

Increasing metabolic rate and Stimulate digestion – Relieve Congestion by aiding digestion

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Short cold douche with strong pressure
b) Alternate douche
c) Alternate or heating compress

11) Water Therapies which Increase Blood Formation & Helpful for Anemia

General cold applications, whether mild or more severe, are the best hydriatic means of promoting the processes of blood formation.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Short general cold baths are the best
b) Cold mitten friction applied 2-3 times daily
c) Cold towel rub applied 2-3 times daily

12) Water Therapies which Increase General Blood Movement & Local Blood Supply

Increase circulation (generally and to specific areas) – Open airways and helps move blood from one area of the body to another.

Increased strength and range of movement of your joints, thus improving mobility (such as walking technique, aerobic fitness levels, decreased joint Stress, etc.).

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Cold applications to the surface of the body – (excite the heart, increase blood pressure, and increase blood and lymph movement throughout the body).

b) Cold compress over the Heart area.

c) Cold mitten friction -(useful in reinforcing the energy of the heart and strengthening the circulation).

d) Cold towel rub – (useful in reinforcing the energy of the heart and strengthening the circulation).

Precaution:

* General hot applications should be avoided as it lower the blood pressure, diminish heart Energy, and lessen blood flow.

13) Water Therapies which Increase Heat Production13) Water Therapies which Increase Heat Production

These are procedures are puts impression of cold on the thermic nerves of the Skin that best increases heat production.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Cold applications to the surface of the body

14) Water Therapies which Increase the Elimination of Heat

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Cold shallow bath
c) Wet sheet rub
d) Wet sheet pack
e) Very short hot applications (followed by short cold to the surface).
f) Cold friction bath
g) Cold towel rub
h) Cold water drinking
i) Cold enema
j) Cold applications to the spine

15) Water Therapies which Relieve Pain & Nervous Irritability

Promote rapid healing of tissues,reduces muscle tension, relieves pain, and improving Skin & muscle tone, thus beneficial to resistance training/muscle strength building.

Rehabilitates injured/damaged muscles or joints by Raising the body temperature, increasing blood flow around the circulatory system, thus alleviating pain.

Mobilizing and lengthening muscles – Increased strength of weak muscles and reduced muscle spasms.

The buoyancy effect of Water – Allows standing in those who are unable to weight-bear out of the Water and performing exercises in the Water, with less Strain on the joints.

Improved independence, self-confidence and function – It calms the lungs, heart, stomach, and The Endocrine System by stimulating nerve reflexes on the Spinal cord.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) The general neutral bath (very effective in relieving nervous irritability, inducing sleep, in Insomnia, delirium, and even acute Fevers).
b) Neutral douche (very effective in relieving nervous irritability, inducing sleep, in Insomnia, delirium, and even acute Fevers).
c) Moist abdominal bandage
d) Cool head cap
e) Heating spinal compress
f) Hot fomentation (for relieving localized pain and irritability)
g) Heating compress (for relieving localized pain and irritability)

16) Water Therapies which help Combat Bacterial Development

These are procedures are used to increase blood movement through the infected parts, while also increasing white blood cell activity.

Physical rehabilitation – Increased the patient’s feeling of achievement even in the acute stages of rehabilitation.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Alternate compress (increase blood alkalinity by measures for increasing local white blood cell action).

17) Water Therapies which Control Blood Movement & Volume

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Hot leg and foot pack
b) Hot foot bath
c) Cold compress over the affected part
d) Revulsive douche

18) Water Therapies which Reduce Heat Production

Heat production must be discouraged in Fever cases

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Short hot full bath (heat applications)
b) Hot blanket pack (heat applications)
c) Fomentations to the spine (heat applications).
d) Hot evaporating sheet (heat applications).
e) Graduated bath (cold applications).
f) Prolonged tepid bath (cold applications).
g) Cooling wet sheet pack (cold applications).

19) Water Therapies which Reduce Heat Elimination

The body is very sensitive to changes in temperature and may be used to help release heat from the body in case of Fever.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Dry pack
b) Hot blanket pack
c) Hot enema
d) Hot water drinking
e) Vigorous cold wet hand rubbing
f) Cold mitten friction

20) Water Therapies which Diminish General Metabolic Activity

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Absolute rest in bed (the best)
b) Neutral bath
c) Leg and foot baths (Diminishing activities of an over-excited gland such as in hypopepsia)

21) Water Therapies which Control Bleeding

These are procedures which bring hemostatic effects (stopping of bleeding) is best achieve, through either very hot (110-115º F.) or very cold (32-40º F.) applications.

(Not listed in a particular order)

a) Hot douche
b) Hot compress
c) Hot nasal douche
d) Ice compresses
e) For Nose bleed

– Sponging the face with very hot water ()
– Cold applications to the upper spine (the most excellent measure)
– Placing the hands in ice-Water, while applying ice to the base of the cranium (lower back of head) and to upper part of the spine.
– Placing the feet in cold Water

f) For women troubles

– Hot vaginal douche (for Menorrhagia)
– Hot uterine irrigation in metrorrhagia
– Postpartum hemorrhage

g) For hemorrhage of the lungs

– Place cold compresses over the chest and very hot fomentations between the shoulders and over back of the neck and upper spine.
– Ice applied to the nostrils will also contract the blood vessels in the lungs.

h) For stomach hemorrhage

– Swallow lumps of ice, and place ice compresses over the reflex area that affects The Stomach.

i) For apoplexy

– Ice cap and ice-cold compresses to the head, face, and neck are very helpful.