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The
benefits of “water healing,” or hydrotherapy have been recognized for
thousands of years. In Europe, where hydrotherapy is especially popular,
there are numerous health spas and health facilities for all types
of “water cures.” Water healing is one of the oldest, and safest methods
for treating many common ailments.
We
know from personal experience that water is not just for cleansing,
but also for helping us feel better. When you sink into that tub of
hot water after a strenuous day,
you do so knowing that you’ll feel much improved when you’re done,
as the hot water relieves your fatigue, and helps to prevent stress
related stiffness.
Ancient
civilizations long ago recognized the healing power of natural hot
and cold springs. Back in the 4th century BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates
prescribed bathing and drinking spring water for its therapeutic effects.
The Romans built outstanding communal baths because they believed in
the value of hot springs.
Water
healing at home couldn’t be simpler. Baths are perfect for 'whole body'
treatments, where the water has to come to shoulder level. There
are also sitz baths, which are for treating the bottom, hips, and lower
abdomen. There is also the foot bath, the vapor bath, and various others
concentrating on specific parts of the body.
Adding
various herbs, or healing essential oils to the water increases the
value of the bath. Utilize the combinations recommended for whatever
may ail you.
The
'whole body' bath should be about 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and
shoulder deep. A warm bath is soothing to the nerves and is said to
be helpful for bladder and urinary problems, mild colds, and low fevers.
The hot bath should last at least 20 minutes.
The
sitz bath should have only enough water to immerse the bottom and hips.
The cold sitz bath, or the hot then followed by cold, 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
a soothing footbath, simply place your feet and calves into a deep
pot filled with water. For cold feet, a hot water footbath of about
15 minutes is helpful. This is also good for bladder, kidney, throat
and ear inflammations. For
tired feet, a cold footbath is recommended, while an alternating hot
and cold footbath is said to promote circulation in the legs, help
varicose veins, insomnia, headaches, and high blood pressure.
Alternating
hot and cold baths are said to be good for treating arthritic issues
of the hands and feet. Place water as hot as you can stand it in one
bowl, ice water in the other. Put your hands or feet in the hot water
for one minute, then plunge into the cold for 20 seconds. Then back
into hot, and then the cold again, until a total of 10 minutes have
been spent doing this. End the process with a plunge into the ice water.
Other forms of
hydrotherapy include:
- Warm or cold
compresses
- Specialized
equipment, such as a whirlpool, etc.
- Water-based,
or pool exercise programs
- Using the effects
of turbulence, buoyancy, warmth and resistance, the recovery from
surgery and/or injury can be dramatic. Even paralyzed limbs and muscles
can benefit from this.
- Hydrotherapy
is often the treatment of choice when faced with the early post-surgical
patient.
Water
healing is one of those rare treatments that can assist us with our
physical, and emotional concerns, either in well appointed specialty
spas, or right in the comfort of our own homes. What could be easier?
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