The term hydrotherapy covers all healing treatments related to water. The healing effect is based either on the specific mineral composition of the water or on the temperature differences during an application. As the elixir of life, water is an extremely versatile healing agent.
What is hydrotherapy?
The term hydrotherapy includes all healing treatments related to water. In modern times, Vincenz Prießnitz and Pastor Sebastian Kneipp are considered the best-known representatives of hydrotherapy. Worldwide, countless water therapy applications are known, the implementation and effect of which are always influenced by the respective culture. Water therapy serves to strengthen the body’s own, non-specific immune defenses and to stimulate the circulation. In addition to these two main effects, however, many other beneficial and health-promoting properties of hydrotherapy are known. Hydrotherapy uses water not only in liquid form, but also in the other two states of aggregation, solid and vapor. The Romans built amazingly spacious bathing landscapes because even then it was believed that water had a healing effect. The actual father of hydrotherapy is considered to be the honorary Roman citizen Antonius Musa, who treated the then ruling emperor Augustus with cold baths as early as around the year 25 BC. This special form of hydrotherapy is also known as balneology and still plays an important role today in the use of water for therapeutic purposes. Kneipp supplemented his water healing methods with the addition of medicinal herbs. The term hydrotherapy refers exclusively to the external application of water. The oral intake of water, for example in the context of drinking cures, is not referred to as hydrotherapy.
Function, effect and goals
The application of water for therapeutic purposes is extraordinarily varied. Cold water primarily has a general invigorating and anti-inflammatory effect and promotes blood circulation to the internal organs. Warm and hot water especially promotes blood circulation to the skin and skeletal muscles and has a balancing and relaxing effect. Hydrotherapy has effects on physique and psyche and can be very well combined with other therapeutic procedures, which can further increase the therapeutic effect. By improving blood circulation, lymph flow is stimulated, and it is also believed that the body cells are better supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Hydrotherapy can be used for wellness purposes or for therapeutic purposes. In prophylaxis, hydrotherapy, which is easy on the joints, focuses on the prevention and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Aquatraining is becoming increasingly popular as water gymnastics and can be used as a prescription by the spa or bath doctor to prevent the progression of degenerative joint diseases. While the so-called Kneipp cure is thus merely part of a wellness offer, the statutory health insurance funds pay for hydrotherapy as part of a medically necessary therapy under certain conditions. Several therapy sessions over a longer period of time are always necessary to achieve the desired effects of relief and healing. Especially in geriatrics and rehabilitation, the therapeutic results of hydrotherapy are absolutely convincing. Simple water applications can also be carried out at home without any problems. Hydrotherapeutic treatment is especially promising for circulatory disorders, respiratory problems, states of exhaustion, vascular headaches, circulatory problems and immune deficiency. Many complaints and ailments of the entire musculoskeletal system also respond well to hydrotherapy. Particularly convincing and lasting therapeutic results have been achieved with arthritis, arthrosis and joint and muscle pain. Today’s common, proven and typical forms of application of hydrotherapy are, for example, pressure jet applications, Kneipp’s water showers, steam saunas, wraps, baths, water treading, brush massages, whole body washes and alternating showers. In order to treat the whole organism, it may be useful to integrate hydrotherapy into an overall therapeutic concept. Together with whole food nutrition, relaxation techniques and exercise, hydrotherapy captures and treats a patient in their whole body-mind-spirit entity.All the above-mentioned forms of hydrotherapy should first be tried out and performed under the professional guidance of a physician or medical bath attendant. Only then is it carried out under one’s own direction, unless the assistance of a second person is required. Particularly in the case of cold casts, it must always be started at the extremities, far from the heart, before the water jet slowly moves to the center of the body.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Despite the convincing effects, the few known side effects and the ease with which it can be performed, hydrotherapy is nevertheless not recommended for everyone without restrictions. In case of doubt in the presence of certain acute and chronic diseases, the doctor should always be consulted before using water. For example, anyone suffering from an acute flu-like infection, skin inflammation, varicose veins or certain cardiovascular diseases should refrain from any form of hydrotherapy, at least until the symptoms have subsided. Complications requiring treatment are rare with all applications of hydrotherapy. If serious complications do occur, they are usually directly related to cardiovascular or respiratory overload. Patients with diseases of the liver, kidneys or thyroid gland should perform water applications only under medical supervision. Today, hydrotherapy often uses bath additives, essential oils or herbal mixtures, which are not well tolerated by some patients and can lead to allergic reactions. Another potential danger arises from the often fatiguing and sedating effects of certain forms of water application. These circulatory symptoms may well be present for hours to days after hydrotherapy. As a precaution, therefore, sensitive individuals should not operate machinery or vehicles after heat hydrotherapy.
