Hydrotherapy

Origins and historical development :

The knowledge of water’s importance to man is long standing, with records of hygienic installation within Indian culture some 2,500 years BC; Egyptians using mineral water as a curative and Hindus in 1,500BC treating those suffering from a fever with water. The Greeks would utilise natural springs for washing as well as playing; and would also build temples to Asklepios, the God of Medicine, nearby. The Romans later developed the ‘plunge pool’ of cold water to immerse the body in after exercise; and built bathing areas of different temperature waters where people gathered for discussion and the pursuit of good hygiene.

The activity of bathing declined with the end of The Roman Empire and early Christians banned the use of public baths before the Church in The Middle Ages included water as one of the physical forces it condemned due to an association with Paganism. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that European physicians started to rediscover the benefits of water. However, it was Vincent Priessnitz, a peasant in the early 19th Century, who first opened a ‘spa’ and offered water treatments to clients in Grafenburg, Austria. Soon after, the Bavarian monk Sebastian Kniepp expanded on this new craze and claimed that water improves the elimination of waste products from the body and help cure disease; and went on to develop the use of hot and cold baths and body wraps.

More recently, it was in the 1920s when the first Hubbard tank was made that a system of therapeutic pool exercises began to develop; and was used effectively during both World Wars to maintain fitness and offer rehabilitation for a wide range of conditions.

It is understood that water alters blood flow depending on the temperature involved. Cold stimulates, causing the blood vessels near the skin’s surface to tighten, restricting blood flow, reducing inflammation and sending blood towards internal organs which will improve functionality. Heat dilates blood vessels through relaxation, reducing blood pressure and promoting blood flow to the skin and muscles, easing stiffness; this in turn stimulates the immune system and sends oxygen and nutrients to repair damaged tissue as well as removing waste products from the body.

Hydrotherapy has become increasingly popular in modern times, particularly in Europe where the Government often subsidise its practice. Hydrotherapy is also popular in America and Australia as part of naturopathy, where it is appreciated as an effective yet low cost therapy with few, if any side-effects.

What to expect during a treatment :

Hydrotherapy can be seen in many forms, with water jets directed onto muscles, application of hot and cold towels, sitz baths (baths with one compartment of hot water and one of cold) and sea weed wraps.

However, Hydrotherapy as part of musculoskeletal rehabilitation will involve exercising in a heated pool, so as to provide warmth, support and resistance to an affected body part while it is mobilised to increase movement, range and strength. Sessions of this type are usually carried out in small groups for an hour at a time once or twice a week. The number of sessions needed will depend on the severity of the injury or condition.

Conditions suitable for treatment :

Water is necessary for the body to function and live. It stands to reason therefore, that its use will be of benefit and easy to apply for many purposes. In this way it can be a valuable self-help tool around the home; a steam bath for a child’s blocked nose, a hot water bottle to ease stomach cramps or ice to treat a bumped shin. Other forms of hydrotherapy are also easily accessible. Many gymnasiums now have water facilities such as swimming pools, Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms to ease muscles, relieve stress and stimulate circulation. Have you ever tried shaving directly after a sauna? The pores are open, the skin moisturised and the blade glides effortlessly close to the skin with minimal irritation.

In addition to these applications, Hydrotherapy is also used to helping cases of sports injuries, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, circulatory problems, respiratory conditions (including asthma and bronchitis), stress, muscle and joint complaints (including strains and sprains); and menstrual problems. Naturopaths, and increasingly physiotherapists, often incorporate Hydrotherapy into their client’s treatments.