Hydrotherapy is the use of water in the treatment of disease and forms an integral part in many traditional medicine systems. The healing properties of hydrotherapy are based on its mechanical and/or thermal effects. It makes use of the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli, to the protracted application of heat, to the pressure exerted by the water, and to the sensation of the water itself.

Conditions Helped by Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is used to treat many illnesses and conditions including:

  • Acne
  • Arthritis
  • Colds
  • Depression
  • Headaches
  • Stomach problems
  • Joint, muscle, and nerve problems
  • Sleep disorders
  • Stress

It is also commonly used for relaxation and to maintain a person’s state of health. Hydrotherapy is also excellent for reducing or relieving sudden or long-lasting pain.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

The benefits of hydrotherapy include:

  • Reduced pain
  • Re- education and encouragement of normal movement
  • Improved walking technique
  • Improved aerobic fitness levels.
  • Improved balance and coordination
  • Increased strength of weak muscles
  • Increased range of movement of joint
  • Improve independence and function.
  • Mobilizing and lengthening of muscle
  • Improve the self-confidence
  • Reduce the fear of falling.
  • A relaxing and calming experience.

What health conditions can improve with hydrotherapy

  • Back Pain ⁄sciatica ⁄lumbar Instability
  • Neck,shoulder And Arm Pain
  • Balance⁄coordination Problems
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis & Fibromyalgia
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Parkinsons’s Disease
  • Stroke
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Rehabilitation After Bone Fracture
  • Stress And Depression

Physiological effects of hydrotherapy

CLEANSING EFFECTS

  • Water can be used as a cleanser.
  • Water is most commonly used as cleansing agent forskin.
  • Hydrating effects and friction of water used to soften and remove the dedris

    MUSCULOSKELETAL EFFECTS

  • Decrease weight bearing (Arthritis)
  • Increase the blood flow to muscles
  • Muscle strengthening
  • Ligamentous instability
  • Other degenerative conditions

    RESPIRATORY EFFECTS

  • Immersion of the whole body in water increase the work of breathing.
  • Hydrostatic pressure on the chest wall increases the resistance to lungs expansion..

    RENAL EFFECTS

  • Increase sodium and potassium excretion.
  • Increase urine production.
  • May be used to treat the patient with hypertension and peripheral edema

    PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

  • Water immersion can be invigorating and relaxing

CILINICAL USES

    PAIN CONTROL

  • Increase sensory stimulation to peripheral mechanoreceptors.
  • Cold water decreases inflammation.
  • Decreases weight – bearing.

    EDEMA CONTROL

  • Water immersion has shown to reduce peripheral edema.
  • This effects is due to hydrotherapy pressure.
  • Contrast baths are frequently used to control edema.

    WOUND CARE

  • Cleansing properties facilitate.
  • Rehydration.
  • Softening and debridement of necrotic tissue.
  • Removal of wound debris
  • Hydrostatic pressure and heat increase circulation.
  • Provides moist environment to optimize healing

Temperature Range

  • Cold (32-79⁰)
    Acute inflammation
  • Ted (79-92⁰)
    Exercise
    Acute inflammation if cold not tolerated
  • Neutral warmth (92 96⁰F)
    Open wound
    Medically compromised patients
    Decrease tone

Temperature Range

  • Mild warmth(96-98⁰)
    Increase mobility
    Burn
  • Hot (99-104⁰)
    Pain
    Increase ROM
    Increase soft tissue extensibility
  • Very Hot (104 -110⁰) Limited body area Chronic condition

Safety considerations for hydrotherapy

  • Prevention of falls
  • Precautions for prevention of drowning
  • Electrical safety

Contraindications for hydrotherapy

  • CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
  • DIABETIC WOUND
  • BALANCE DISORDER
  • INFLUENZA
  • FEVER
  • SKIN CONDITIONS
  • URINARY INCONTINENCE
  • OPEN WOUNDS
  • RECENT SURGERY
  • HYDROPHOBIC
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