What is hydrotherapy?

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 (32 to 35C) 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 foot-bath is recommended. While an alternating hot and cold foot-bath 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.