How to Use Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy literally means water therapy. Our bodies are 70 percent water so it makes sense water would be life giving, healing and restorative. Even ancient civilizations knew of water's magical properties and built springs and spas. Today, there are several different ways to use hydrotherapy and all are accessible, easy and affordable. Read on to learn more.
1
Try neutral immersion baths. Water should be tepid, about 92 F to 98 F, and dotted with your favorite fragrance. This should be a relaxing experience lasting from 15 minutes to an hour. To get full advantage from an immersion bath allow yourself to rest quietly at least one hour afterward.
2
Mix up a sitz bath. Use warm water for cramps and hemorrhoids and cold water for constipation. If you alternate hot with cold, you can help fight a urinary tract infection. The healing effects of this form of hydrotherapy are increased if minerals or herbs are added, but be careful which ones you use if you are fighting hemorrhoids.
3
Start an aquatic exercising program. Most doctors agree exercising in water is helpful when you are recovering from surgery, arthritis, Fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, chronic pain or just want a low impact regime. This form of hydrotherapy gives you the benefit of a two-hour workout in just 30 minutes and burns twice the calories of exercises you would do out of the swimming pool.
4
Immerse yourself in a warm bath with water jets aimed at the aching parts of your body. This form of hydrotherapy will ease pain, relieve tension and help oxygen get into your cells.
5
Treat your feet to an alternating foot bath where your feet are submerged in hot water at 100 F for 5 minutes, then in cold water at 50 F for 30 seconds. When repeated twice this footbath will dilate and contract vessels which will move blood and lymph through your body to stimulate the immune system, improve circulation and encourage faster elimination of waste.
6
Participate in a 14-day mineral water drinking regimen. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and others are beneficial. People with high blood pressure need to avoid this form of hydrotherapy because some mineral waters are high in sodium.
Tips & Warnings
Water temperature matters. Buy a thermometer to make sure the temperature for the immersion, sitz and alternating foot baths are appropriate as indicated above.
Consult your physician before using any form of hydrotherapy if you have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney disease or bleeding problems. Pregnant women should avoid any form of hydrotherapy that requires extreme water temperatures.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2085379_use-hydrotherapy.html
Hydrotherapy literally means water therapy. Our bodies are 70 percent water so it makes sense water would be life giving, healing and restorative. Even ancient civilizations knew of water's magical properties and built springs and spas. Today, there are several different ways to use hydrotherapy and all are accessible, easy and affordable. Read on to learn more.
1
Try neutral immersion baths. Water should be tepid, about 92 F to 98 F, and dotted with your favorite fragrance. This should be a relaxing experience lasting from 15 minutes to an hour. To get full advantage from an immersion bath allow yourself to rest quietly at least one hour afterward.
2
Mix up a sitz bath. Use warm water for cramps and hemorrhoids and cold water for constipation. If you alternate hot with cold, you can help fight a urinary tract infection. The healing effects of this form of hydrotherapy are increased if minerals or herbs are added, but be careful which ones you use if you are fighting hemorrhoids.
3
Start an aquatic exercising program. Most doctors agree exercising in water is helpful when you are recovering from surgery, arthritis, Fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, chronic pain or just want a low impact regime. This form of hydrotherapy gives you the benefit of a two-hour workout in just 30 minutes and burns twice the calories of exercises you would do out of the swimming pool.
4
Immerse yourself in a warm bath with water jets aimed at the aching parts of your body. This form of hydrotherapy will ease pain, relieve tension and help oxygen get into your cells.
5
Treat your feet to an alternating foot bath where your feet are submerged in hot water at 100 F for 5 minutes, then in cold water at 50 F for 30 seconds. When repeated twice this footbath will dilate and contract vessels which will move blood and lymph through your body to stimulate the immune system, improve circulation and encourage faster elimination of waste.
6
Participate in a 14-day mineral water drinking regimen. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and others are beneficial. People with high blood pressure need to avoid this form of hydrotherapy because some mineral waters are high in sodium.
Tips & Warnings
Water temperature matters. Buy a thermometer to make sure the temperature for the immersion, sitz and alternating foot baths are appropriate as indicated above.
Consult your physician before using any form of hydrotherapy if you have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney disease or bleeding problems. Pregnant women should avoid any form of hydrotherapy that requires extreme water temperatures.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2085379_use-hydrotherapy.html
