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What is hydrotherapy?

The benefits of hydrotherapy have been recognized for thousands of years. Learn what it is and how it works

The benefits of “water healing,” or hydrotherapy have been recognized for thousands of years.

Water healing is one of the oldest, cheapest and safest methods for treating many common ailments. We know from personal experience that water is not just for cleansing, but for making us feel better. When you settle into that tub of hot water, after a strenuous day, you know you’ll feel much better when you’re done, for hot water relieves fatigue and prevents stiffness.

Water healing at home couldn’t be simpler. Walk-in baths are good for whole body treatments. In the whole body treatment, the water has to come to shoulder level. You will also be treating your bottom, hips, and lower abdomen. Then there is the foot bath, the vapor bath, and various others concentrating on specific parts of the body. Adding various healing herbs to the water increases the value of the bath.

The Full Bath should be about 90 to 95F and shoulder deep. A warm bath is soothing to the nerves and helpful for bladder and urinary problems, mild colds, and low fevers. Adding herbs helps to soften and moisturize, and can stimulate or relax. The hot bath should last at least 20 minutes.

Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial for ailments affecting the abdomen and the reproductive system, inflammations, pelvic congestion, cramps, hemorrhoids, menstrual problems, and kidney and intestinal pains

For tired feet, a warm Hydrotherapy footbath is recommended. While an alternating hot and cold footbath is said to promote circulation in the legs, help varicose veins, insomnia, headache and high blood pressure.

Remember that the application of heat is soothing, easing muscle tension and relieving pain. Heat also improves circulation by causing blood vessels to dilate. Cold can either be stimulating or soothing.

Water healing is helpful in maintaining metabolic function, and in making us feel much better, and is easily accomplished right in our own homes.

You can use baths to either immerse the entire body or simply the affected body part. Hot full-immersion baths can help with arthritic discomfort and conditions where muscles are in painful spasm, such as fibromyalgia. For a neutral (or tepid) bath the temperature should be neither too hot nor too cold. These are mainly used for relaxation purposes and to treat stress-related ailments such as insomnia, anxiety, and nervous exhaustion. Cool baths can relieve irritation and itching caused by hives or other skin disorders.

Sitz baths. Taking sitz baths involves partially immersing the pelvic region. A hot sitz bath can help reduce pain from hemorrhoids, menstrual cramps, and sciatica. A neutral sitz bath is best for bladder infections or severe itching in the anal region. A cold sitz bath constricts blood vessels and may be helpful for excess vaginal bleeding and mild constipation. A contrast sitz bath--from hot to cold--increases circulation in the pelvis and may be useful for chronic prostatitis and pelvic infections.

Hydrotherapy & Rheumatoid Arthritis

A recent study found that hydrotherapy is particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers. One hundred thirty-nine patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to receive hydrotherapy, seated immersion, land exercise, or progressive relaxation.

Patients attended 30-minute sessions twice weekly for 4 weeks. Physical and psychological measures were completed before and after intervention, and again at a 3-month follow-up.

The results showed that all patients improved physically and emotionally, as assessed by the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 questionnaire. The patients' belief that their pain was controlled by chance happenings decreased, signifying not just improvement in their condition but also in their belief to be able to manage their symptoms.

However the data revealed conclusively that the hydrotherapy patients showed significantly greater improvement in joint tenderness and in knee range of movement (women only) than the other patients. And at the follow-up measurement, the hydrotherapy patients maintained the improvement in emotional and psychological state.

The report concluded that although all patients experienced some benefit, "hydrotherapy produced the greatest improvements", and the researchers stated that there is clear evidence of the benefits of hydrotherapy for arthritis sufferers to support the continued use of this therapy as an effective adjunct treatment.

Hall J; Skevington SM; Maddison PJ; Chapman K A randomized and controlled trial of hydrotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Care Res (UNITED STATES) Jun 1996, 9 (3) p206-15

Hydrotherapy & Asthma

Two recent studies have shown that hydrotherapy has a role to play in the treatment of asthma. In one study (1) conducted at the Division of Medicine, Misasa Medical Branch, Okayma University Medical School, the clinical effects of spa therapy (swimming training in a hot spring pool inhalation of iodine salt solution) were examined in 52 patients with steroid-dependent in-tractable asthma (SDIA). Beneficial clinical effects were found in 36 of the 52 (69.2%) patients with SDIA. The benefits were higher in the patients between the ages of 41 and 50 (87.5%) and between 51 and 60 (84.2%) than in those in the other age groups.

As far as the benefits of the spa therapy for patients with specific types of clinical asthma, the efficacy was found to be higher in patients with type Ia-2 (83.4%), type lb (77.8%) and type 11(80.0%) than in those with type Ia-I (54.2%).

The researchers also found that decreased function of the adrenocortical glands expressed by low serum cortisol levels improved after the spa therapy, and this was accompanied by a reduction in the dose of glucocorticoids necessary to control asthma attacks.

A further trial (2) conducted at the Division of Medicine, Misasa Medical Branch, Okayama University Medical School, Japan revealed similar findings. In this study, 37 patients with steroid-dependent intractable asthma were examined focusing on the improvement of ventilatory function following spa therapy. All of the patients had been on long-term corticosteroids therapy before spa therapy.

The results found that Spa therapy improved the values of ventilatory parameters significantly, especially in patients with type II asthma and the re-port went on to recommend Spa therapy to help improve the condition of small airways disorder in patients with steroid-dependent intractable asthma.

(1) Tanizaki Y; Kitani H; Okazaki M; Mifune T; Mitsunobu F; Honke N Clinical effects of complex spa therapy on patients with steroid-dependent in-tractable asthma (SDIA).Arerugi (JAPAN) Mar 1993, 42 (3 Pt 1) p219-27
(2) Tanizaki Y; Kitani H; Okazaki M; Mifune T; Mitsunobu F; Ochi K; Harada H; Kimura I Spa therapy improves ventilatory function in the small airways of patients with steroid-depend-ent intractable asthma (SDIA). Acta Med Okayama (JAPAN) Jun 1992 46 (3) p175-8

Hydrotherapy & Constipation

The Health Education Council, National Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education (September 1983) reported that 85% of the population have slow bowel movements with as many as 40% of the population in the United Kingdom being regularly constipated. When the colon does not function properly, other elimminating organs (e.g., skin, kidneys, lungs and lymph) become overloaded and subsequently they too become affected. Whilst there have been no clinical trials to our knowledge related to Colonic Hydrotherapy and M.E., there seems little doubt that Colonic Hydrotherapy is indicated whenever there is constipation or any other digestive disorder.

The Colonic International Association recommends that Colonic Hydrotherapy "is best used as a complementary technique to other therapies. By improving elimination, response to dietary, homœopathic, herbal, manipulative and other therapies is markedly improved."

Dr Belinda Dawes, a British doctor who specialized in the treatment of M.E. and CFS states; "I would say that without doubt, candida infection plays a role in the ill health of all the patients I see. Although their illness may not be directly related to the candida problem, eliminating the candida from their body and its related consequences has certainly been one of the factors in their recovery." (1) Bearing this mind, Colonic Hydrotherapy would appear to be an excellent treatment to help rectify the condition as it cleans the colon of accumulated waste including fungus and bacterium. (Read More)

The Ayurvedic Institute and Wellness Centre, Albuquerque, New Mexico has reported good results within 2-3 months for (PVN) M.E. sufferers. They use a bowel cleansing programme including laxatives, enemas, aloe vera juice and psyllium husks with herbs such as Arogyavarenini to cleanse the liver (2).

1) Better Nutrition for Today's Living 1990, v52 p20  (2) East West January 1989 v.19, N1, P44).

Hydrotherapy in Childbirth 

Researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. University of Liverpool, United Kingdom have confirmed earlier research findings that hydrotherapy is extremely beneficial for pregnant mother-to-be during labor.

The use of birthing pools (during labor is increasing in the United Kingdom, and researchers felt the need to establish whether this was justified by investigating the value and safety of hydrotherapy as a birthing aid.

The study was performed in a District General Hospital in Liverpool where a group of 100 women of low obstetric risk used the birthing pool at some stage (luring their labor’s and a control group of 100 women were matched in terms of age, parity and obstetric history hut labored and delivered without the use of a birthing pool.

The main outcome measures were operative delivery rates, duration of labor, analgesic requirements. perineal trauma and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes.

The results showed that those women who used the birthing pool had significantly reduced operative delivery rates, a shorter second stage of labor, reduced analgesic requirements and a lower incidence of perineal trauma. The women who used the birthing pool also required significantly less analgesic aid.

The report concluded that hydrotherapy during labor significantly aids the labor process, minimizes the use of analgesic medications md should he considered as a safe and effective birthing aid.

Aird IA; Luckas MJ; Buckett WM; Bousfield P. Effects of intrapartum hydrotherapy on labor related parameters. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol (Australia) May 1997, 37 (2) p137-42

Hydrotherapy & pain and wound healing

A study at Southeastern Louisiana University, School of Nursing, USA has found that hydrotherapy can help alleviate pain and assist in wound healing of patients who have undergone major abdominal surgery.

Patients who have major abdominal surgery often experience pain because of increased tension on muscles and tissues at the abdominal incision site. Also, pain can be caused by pressure created from trapped anesthesia gases in the intestines. Both of these consequences can cause increased anxiety and stress resulting in poor pain management and this, in turn, may affect tissue regeneration.

An intervention, such as whirlpool therapy, can enhance relaxation and promote pain relief and normal wound healing. This study was designed to examine the effects of whirlpool therapy on pain and surgical wound healing in adults having major abdominal surgery. Sixty-three patients (43 female and 20 male), aged between 25-60, participated in the study of repeated measures of pain and surgical wound assessments over a 3-day period.

Statistical tests for repeated measures revealed that the patients in the hydrotherapy group experienced significantly less pain than the other patients for three consecutive days. Also, statistical tests for repeated measures of wound healing revealed less signs of surgical wound inflammation in the hydrotherapy group over the 3-day period. The report concluded that the intervention of whirlpool therapy promoted some degree of comfort and positive signs of wound healing.

Juve Meeker B Whirlpool therapy on postoperative pain and surgical wound healing: an exploration. Patient Educ Couns (IRELAND) Jan 1998, 33 (1) p39-48

Hydrotherapy improve walking for primary varicose veins

Many naturopaths have traditionally recommended hydrotherapy to aid venous circulation and alleviate symptoms for patients suffering with varicose veins. A research study conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Vienna has found that the traditional wisdom of naturopaths is correct in that hydrotherapy can play an important role in the treatment of primary varicose veins.

In the study, sixty-one patients suffering from primary varicosity were divided into 2 groups, one receiving regular hydrotherapy, the other no such treatment for 3 1/2 weeks.

Objective evaluation of the competence of the venous valves showed an apparent benefit in the control group in respect to light reflex rheographic venous filling time. The leg volume changes, however, indicated a stronger and more persistent reduction in the treatment group. The same improvements were found for ankle and calf circumferences, which were reduced significantly only in patients treated with hydrotherapy. Furthermore some (although not all) of the subjective symptoms were found to be more improved in the treatment group.

In conclusion, the researchers stated that their findings suggest that primary varicose veins can be helped significantly by hydrotherapy and should be considered as an adjunct to other forms of treatment.

Ernst F; Saradeth T; Resch KL. A single blind randomized, controlled trial of hydrotherapy for varicose veins. Vasa (SWITZERLAND) 1991, 20 (2) p147-52

Hydrotherapy to reduce swollen ankles

Alternating hot and cold showers to the legs are commonly recommended by Naturopaths to help general circulation in the legs. Researchers at the University of Lund, Malmo General Hospital, Sweden have found that alternating cold and hot water therapy does indeed improve on systolic blood pressure and patients’ walking ability. In a prospective case study with repeated measurements before and 1, 4 and 12 months after treatment.

Twenty consecutively included patients, 11 women and 9 men (mean age 73.9 yrs), with intermittent claudication according to clinical examination and ankle-arm systolic blood pressure participated in the study.

Alternate hot and cold hydrotherapy of the legs were given at ten 25-minute treatments during a three-week period. The outcome measures were maximal walking ability, walking ability before pain and systolic blood pressures of toe, ankle, arm.

The results revealed that 14 patients (70%) reported reduced pain after treatment and walking. Among those who reported improved walking ability one year after treatment, systolic blood pressure in both right and left ankles and toes increased. e.g. right toe increasing from an average of 72 to 86. Improvements of systolic blood pressure in left and right leg and changes of walking ability were correlated.

Showering the legs of patients suffering from swollen ankles and painful walking was therefore found to improve walking ability and reduce high blood pressures, and that these benefits could be sustained up to 1 year later. The re-port recommends that this form of hydrotherapy should be considered as an additional alternative to conservative treatment of intermittent claudication.