Hydrotherapy | Description | Precautions | Aftercare | Purpose | Risks

Definition

Hydrotherapy is the external use of water to improve health, relieve pain , or treat a disease or condition.

Purpose

Hydrotherapy is used for a wide variety of purposes. In general, it is used to treat diseases or conditions, to relieve pain, and to improve or maintain general health and well being. Hydrotherapy has a very long history. For hundreds of years people have believed in the curative powers of water, and for many years “taking the waters” at natural hot springs was thought to be a curative for a variety of ailments.

Today many people still believe in the healing power of water. Some types of hydrotherapy, such as exercising in a body of water, have been shown to have very positive effects. Others have not been shown to be effective at all. Hydrotherapy is believed to help a wide variety of diseases and conditions including depression , acne, and stomach problems. It is often used to treat or help relieve the pain of arthritis, joint problems, and muscle aches. Hydrotherapy is even sometimes recommended for polyps, ear infections, and the common cold .

Precautions

Hydrotherapy in most of its forms is safe for most people. Individuals should check with their doctor to make sure that the form of hydrotherapy they are considering is safe for them. Hydrotherapy should not be used for individuals who are not able to feel the temperature of the water as it can lead to burns. Hydrotherapy can be a very effective addition to many treatment plans. However, it is extremely important never to use an alternative therapy like hydrotherapy for a disease or condition instead of getting traditional medical care. Many diseases and conditions can become much more serious if they are not treated promptly using scientifically proven medical treatments.

Description

There are many different form of hydrotherapy. The most common forms of hydrotherapy are exercise hydrotherapy, whirlpool hydrotherapy, and sauna hydrotherapy. Exercise hydrotherapy involves doing aerobics, yoga , or other forms of exercise in a body of water such as a swimming pool. Often, the water in the swimming pool is heated to slightly above body temperature to help soothe joints and muscles during the exercise.

Whirlpool hydrotherapy involves the use of a whirlpool bath or hot tub to relive stress , sooth joints, and relieve muscle pain. A whirlpool bath is a tub of water that is usually keep fairly warm that has a variety of different jets that create a massaging, whirlpool-like effect. Sauna hydrotherapy uses heated steam in an enclosed space to cause sweating.

There are many other less common forms of hydrotherapy. Some involve the individual sitting in, or putting the affected body part, in a tub of water that has a variety of dissolved minerals in it. Others involve alternating cold and hot water. Some involve soaking a compress in warm or cool water and applying it to the area being treated. Other forms of therapy place the patient under cold, damp, sheets which are then covered with dry sheets and blankets.

Preparation

Hydrotherapy does not require any special patient preparation.

Aftercare

Hydrotherapy does not require any special aftercare.

Complications

The complications likely to result from hydrotherapy depend on the type and duration of the hydrotherapy. Some complications that may occur from hydrotherapy include headache, nausea, burns, and infection. The most concerning complication of some hydrotherapy treatments that involve heat is dehydration . This is of special concern among seniors who are often more likely to experience dehydration. Dehydration can occur due to sweating induced by warm or hot temperatures of the water or steam over a long duration.

Results

The results of hydrotherapy can vary greatly depending on the type of hydrotherapy used, the skill and experience of the practitioner performing or overseeing the hydrotherapy, and the disease or condition being treated. Hydrotherapy that consists of stretching, yoga, or exercise in a swimming pool or other body of water can be a very effective method of increasing fitness and cardiovascular health, increasing range of motion and flexibility, and promoting weight loss and increased energy levels.

Hydrotherapy involving emersion in warm water, such as in a hot tub, or warm bath, can help relax tense muscles and provide relief from some types of pain. Although some types of hydrotherapycan be very effective, not all types of hydrotherapy are effective for all disease, conditions, and problems. Many scientists are doing research to try and determine which forms of hydrotherapy really work. It has been shown in peer-reviewed scientific study that exercise hydrotherapy can be an effective for individuals with arthritis, although not necessarily more effective than regular exercise. As of 2008 many kinds of hydrotherapy had not been shown to be effective in carefully controlled scientific studies. Before beginning hydrotherapy, especially one claiming to treat a specific disease or condition, the patient should ask the practitioner about the proven effectiveness of the therapy.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR

·         Is the type of hydrotherapy I am considering safe for me?

·         Are there any warning signs I should look out for during hydrotherapy?

·         Do you have any suggestions about what types of hydrotherapy are most likely to be effective at improving my disease or condition?

Caregiver concerns

Many different members of the health care team may be involved in providing treatment with hydrotherapy. A physical therapist may use hydrotherapy in one or more forms as a part of standard treatment for rehabilitation. A naturopath or a practitioner of alternative medicine may prescribe hydrotherapy treatments or provide them in the office. Many community centers offer exercise and yoga classes that take place in the water to help build muscle and relieve pressure on the joints. These classes may be taught by many different individuals including yoga and fitness instructors or certified personal trainers. Many spas even offer hydrotherapy treatments. As with any medical treatment, the patient's primary care physician should play an integral role. The primary care physician can recommend forms of hydrotherapy that are most likely to be effective for the particular patient's problems. The doctor can also tell the patient which hydrotherapy treatments are not appropriate because they may be dangerous for the patient or interfere with traditional treatments that are being received. Patients should be sure to discuss the option of hydrotherapy with their doctors before beginning any treatment.

Resources

BOOKS

Fleckenstein, Alexa, and Roanne Weisman. Health2O: Tap Into the Healing Power of Water to Fight. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.

Roeder, Giselle. Healing with Water: Kneipp Hydrotherapy at Home. Summertown, TN: Books Alive, 2008.

Vasey, Christopher. The Water Prescription: For Health, Vitality, and Rejuvenation. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2006.

PERIODICALS

Grant, Ruth Ann. “Water Therapy May Aid Daily Functioning for Osteoarthritis.” McKnight's Long-Term Care News (December 2007): 6.

Silva, Luciana, et al. “Hydrotherapy Versus Conventional Land-Based Exercise for the Management of Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Physical Therapy 88.1 (January 2008): 12 22.

Vaile, Joanna, et al. “Effect of Hydrotherapy on the Signs and Symptoms of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.” European Journal of Applied Physiology 103.1 (May 2008): 121–123.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Alternative Medical Association, 2200 Market Street, Suite 329, Galveston, TX, 77550-1530, (409) 621-2600, (888) 764-2237, (775) 703-5334, www.joinaama.com.

Helen Davidson