HYDROTHERAPY WHY AND HOW DOES IT WORK? (the physiology behind hydrotherapy)

Hydrotherapy comes from two Greek words Hydro meaning water and therapy meaning treatment, in other words Hydrotherapy means the use of water in any of its three forms (Solid, Liquid, or Steam) either externally or internally to restore health.

 

WHY WATER IS VALUABLE AS A THERAPEUTIC AGENT.

 1. It is generally available and cheap.

2. It does not cause irritation either externally or internally.

3. Its ability to change from solid to liquid to steam and back again.

4. It can be recycled and reused.

5. Water gives up heat rapidly, yet it does not cool too rapidly.

6. It is universal solvent.

7. Easy to apply.

8. Great power for absorbing and releasing heat.

9. Proper viscosity

10. Proper density for buoyancy.

 

The chemistry behind hydrotherapy.

 Good circulation of good blood leads to good health.

Hydrotherapy functions majorly by increasing proper circulation and the production of white blood cells.

 

Due to the skin been connected to every organ in the body through the nervous and circulatory systems, change in the temperature of the skin via water application either cold or hot or warm will stimulate or sedate specific systems or organs through nervous sensation.

 

Water therapy works because it provides the main needs of the cell which are oxygen, water, nutrition, elimination, and protection from toxic and harmful or unhealthy substance. Cells been the building block for our body's tissue, organs, and systems means that  healthy cells will definitely result to a healthy organs, and systems.

 

How does hydrotherapy satisfy these basic needs of the cell?

When the temperature of body is increased generally (E.G. steam bath) or specifically  to an area(E. G. Hot foot bath), there is a drastic increase in blood flow or circulation leading to sweating, thus toxins are removed from the body and congestion of the blood in any part of the body is relieved, because of the even circulation, there is increased transportation of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body and readily supply to the cells.

 

There is always a stimulation of the immune system leading to a multiplication of the white blood cells, they become more active when the body temperature is increased, this results to relieve of pains and fever, promotion of relaxation and rest.

 

 

 

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF HOT AND COLD WATER.

 

Understanding the physiological effects of water at varied temperatures is required for the optimization of its benefits.

 

HEAT

1. Decreases stiffness in arthritis.

2. Decreases muscle pain and spasm.

3. Increases hemorrhage

4. Increases edema production.

5. Increases blood flow.

6. Increases inflammatory response

 

COLD

1. Increases stiffness in arthritis

2. Decreases muscle pain and spasm

3. Decreases hemorrhage

4. Decreases edema production

5. Decreases blood flow.

6. Decreases the inflammatory response.

 

 

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