Hydrotherapy
The Benefits of Soaking Tubs
The following is offered for informational purposes only.
Always consult your physican before beginning any form of hydrotherapy

Some people are always in a hurry and never have time for a bath. That's a shame, because even though showers are quicker and more hygienic, nothing is more soothing than a long soak in a tub.

Water is nature's healer. It has favorable effects on the skin and muscles. It calms the internal organs and the endocrine system by stimulating nerve reflexes on the spinal cord. Generally, heat quiets and soothes the body. Cold, in contrast, stimulates and invigorates.

Help for stress A soothing and relaxing bath can help counteract stress and its many effects on the body. It is the perfect antidote to a hectic and stressful lifestyle.

A recent study at the Mayo Clinic found that soaking in a hot bath gives many of the health benefits of exercise with less strain on the heart! Soaking in a hot bath increases the heart rate while it lowers blood pressure rather than raising it as does other forms of exercise.

Immersion in hot water first speeds up the heart to send blood to the surface and disperse extra body heat into the air. But after a few minutes, the warm blood causes the blood vessels to dilate, which lessens resistance to blood flow and lowers the blood pressure.

Insomnia:
Some medical experts recommend soaking in water of approximately 103 degrees Fahrenheit about two hours before bedtime.

Please note, however, that this should be for no longer than 15 minutes at a time.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) believes that many cases of insomnia can be traced to hectic, stressful lifestyles.

A solution to this dilemma may be simply relaxing in a hot bath before bedtime. Studies suggest this can ease the transition into a deeper, more restful sleep. The temperature change may be a signal to the body that it's time to sleep, or the sensation of weightlessness may just be relaxing the muscles.

If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart disease, or other medical condition, please consult with your physician before beginning any hot water therapy program. Infants, children & the elderly are more sensitive to the effects of heat, and experts recommend shorter soaking times.

Physical Benefits

Several doctors have reported success using artificial hyperthermia as the central element in a treatment program for CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), arthritis, and other conditions related to the skin and circulation.

However, some in the medical community caution that impaired circulation common in diabetes patients may hinder the flow of blood to the feet that can result in burns even at temperatures as low as 95 degrees. Even if burns do not occur, prolonged soaking in water causes maceration of skin, which makes it more susceptible to injury and is less likely to heal than normal skin.   see your doctor for more information

The combination of warmth and buoyancy is extremely beneficial to arthritis sufferers. The buoyancy of the water relaxes the muscles, and supports and reduces stress on the joints which encourages freer movement. Relaxing the muscles helps to increase their range of motion.

Many researchers now think rheumatoid arthritis patients can exercise safely if they follow tailor-made water exercises. Water therapeutically massages the joints with every movement. Water training can help increase aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and overall activity levels for RA patients.   for more information visit

Forms of hydrotherapy

1. Water temperature should be 92 to 94 degree F. except when used for loosening tense muscles and reducing the pain of stress-related backaches, in which case the temperature should be 102°F to 106°F.
   
2. Bath should last no more than 15 to 20 minutes
   
3. One should take a cool shower after stepping out of the bath. This brings and immediate rush of blood through the system.
   
4. Evening is the ideal time for soaking. It helps induce sleep.
   

Rising temperature hip bath
This is taken in a tub filled with a few inches of tepid water. Hot water is then gradually added until the level reaches the navel. The final temperature should be 103°F -104°F. Following this procedure, which should last 15-30 minutes, the patient is wrapped warm and proceeds to bed. This is generally used for sciatica and common colds.

Cold foot bath
In this method, the feet are placed into a tub filled to calf depth with cold water. The patient remains there until the water is no longer perceived as being cold. Then the patient wipes off excess water, dresses, and walks or runs until dry. It is used to treat varicose veins, circulatory problems, or sleeplessness.

Rising temperature foot bath, warm foot bath.
Using this approach, the feet are immersed in a tub filled with warm water. Hot water is gradually added to give a final temperature of 103°F-104°F. The procedure should last 10-15 minutes. It is used for relaxation.

Sitz bath
This is generally taken in a hip bath as a cold, rising temperature, or warm sitz bath. Prior to a sitz bath, the feet are warmed in a warm foot bath. Parts of the body not immersed in water should be covered. Cold sitz baths are used to treat hemorrhoids or inflammation of the anus. Warm or rising temperature sitz baths are used for an irritable bladder, inflammation of the prostate.

A hot bath is used for relaxation, lowering the body's energy. It stimulates sweating and increases the elimination of toxins. One may use fresh herbs or the essential oils to enhance the process. Adding Epsom salt to the bath helps arthritis and rheumatism; and sea salt promotes healing, reduces inflammation and prevents infection.

A cold bath is highly invigorating! Cold water applied to any part of the body causes an initial chilling effect, followed by dilation of the small blood vessels in the skin. The increased blood flow suffuses the whole area with a reddish, warming, and healthy glow.

Herbal baths can be particularly soothing during periods of stress. There are several ways to prepare an herbal bath. While soaking in an herbal bath, one can read, meditate, and listen to peaceful music or just sit quietly and relax.

Contrast Bath Hydrotherapy
Water is often applied to an injury in the form of ice, heat, etc. Another form of hydrotherapy is called Contrast Baths. This method calls for the immersion of a body part in a hot basin for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transferring it into a cold basin for 30 seconds, repeating the process for 5-10 transfers and ending the bath in the cold basin.

The contrast of hot-cold creates a pumping of the blood in and out of the body part. Blood vessels dilate in the heat and constrict in the cold. Any stagnating swelling is reduced as it is pumped out of the body part. Inflammation is reduced as fresh blood and healing agents are pumped into the injured area. Pain is also reduced, as both hot and cold have anesthetic effects. Contrast baths are effective in treating carpal tunnel syndromes and hand / forearm tendonitis.

See Also:

Links to Related Websites:
Holistic Online
Internet Health Library

Spine Health.com - provides in-depth information and resources for patients with back pain, neck pain, and full range of spinal disorders.

Water Therapy Exercise Program - from Spinal Health.com

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