The Overall Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy increases blood circulation, including circulation of the immune system’s white blood cells. Hydrotherapy also increases the body’s production of endogenous opioid peptides, (any of a class of compounds of low molecular weight that yield two or more amino acids on hydrolysis) particularly endorphins. (any of a class of polypeptides, including enkephalin, occurring naturally in the brain, that bind to pain receptors and so block pain sensation) Enhanced circulation and increased endorphins strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, heal injured tissue, improve well-being and energise the body.
Respiratory Infections and Ailments
Patients with upper respiratory infections including pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and common colds will find that the steam from a warm tub greatly reduces inflammation and promotes open airways. Breathing in the warm steam will also help increase white blood cells which will help speed up the recovery of ailments associated with respiratory infections.
Diabetes
In a study conducted by Dr. P. L. Hooper in Loveland, CO he monitored patients of Type 2 Diabetes for 3 weeks. Dr. Hooper’s patients were instructed to soak in hot water for 30 minutes a day, six days a week for the duration of his study. His findings were surprising. Patient’s blood sugar levels were reduced by approximately 13%. After the course of his three week study Dr. Hooper noted that many of the patients were able to reduce their insulin doses. Continued studies show that hydrotherapy not only helps reduce the insulin doses for type 2 diabetic patients, but also helps swelling, joint tenderness and insomnia often associated with diabetes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis benefit from hot tubs, especially when used in conjunction with massage or water exercises. Hydrotherapy is known to reduce the inflammation and also increase blood flow in extremities that suffer from the affects of Rheumatoid Arthritis. A recent report conclusively revealed that patients who engaged in hydrotherapy treatment showed a significantly greater improvement in joint tenderness and a wider range of knee movement than patients who treated Rheumatoid Arthritis by means other than hydrotherapy.
How Hydrotherapy Works
Energiser and stimulating effects are obtained from short heat and short cold. Depressant effects are obtained from long heat and long cold.
Internal use of water (at least 8 cups daily) benefits:
1. Digestion and producing digestive enzymes
2. Lubricating the cells and systems
3. Washing waste out through the kidney’s
4. Keeping mental activity strong
5. Physical endurance
Precautions: Check with your physician if you have any of the following:
· Diabetes
· Frostbite
· Heart Disease
· Poor circulation
· Hardening of the arteries
IMPORTANT : Only medical professionals should treat in the case of the above listed.
Environment:
· Make sure the room is warm enough and free from drafts
· Have all your supplies ready and where they will be easy to access
· Protect bedding or floor from dampness and have container for used wet materials
· Have a quiet calm atmosphere without interruptions
· No bright lights in patients eyes
· Never leave the patient
· Make sure you explain all steps you do before you do them
· As Christians, more specifically SDA Christians we pray before we begin any treatment
THE CONTRAST BATH
The contrast bath consists of immersing (to put something into a liquid so that it is entirely below the surface) a body part alternately in hot and cold water. (The hot and cold water may be applied with wash cloths to body areas that cannot easily be immersed in water.) This treatment may be combined with the application of a poultice or a heating compress.
The blood vessels expand or dilate with heat and contract with cold – which increases the circulation or blood flow to the treated body part. The increased blood flow (1) improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body cells and (2) quickens removal of the cell’s waste products. The result is increased cell metabolism (the series of processes by which food is converted into the energy and products needed to sustain life) and more rapid healing of the treated body part.
Treatment Indications
· Localized (limited to a small area) infections
· Muscle or joint injuries
· Arthritis (a medical condition affecting a joint or joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness)
· Headaches (contrast bath to the extremities)
· Edema (swelling of a body part due to fluid retention)
· Blood vessel disease of the veins or arteries to the legs and feet
Treatment Precautions
· Do not use very hot or very cold water in cases of loss of feeling (numbness) or blood vessel disease of the legs and feet.
· Be careful not to spread infection; disinfect equipment after treating an open sore or wound.
· Avoid treating any area where there is a tendency to bleed or hemorrhage.
· If the treatment is to be followed by massage to the body part, end the treatment with the hot water bath. (As I mentioned; the blood vessels expand or dilate with heat and contract with cold – increasing the circulation or blood flow)
Equipment Needed
· Two large basins for hot and cold water
· Tea kettle or bucket of hot water
· Towel, Sheet or light blanket
· Another basin of cold water and 2 washcloths for a cold compress to the head
Treatment for Contrast Bath Procedure
1. Preparation for Treatment
· Have the room warm and all the equipment assembled.
· Explain the procedure; assist the patient in preparation for treatment.
2. Treatment
· Encourage confidence in the divine remedies by beginning each treatment with prayer.
· Begin with the hot water bath, starting with milder heat; increase the heat as the patient can handle. After 3 minutes, transfer to the cold water bath for ½ to 1 minute.
· During the treatment, keep the hot and cold baths at the desired temperature by adding hot and cold water as needed.
· Place a cold compress to the head if sweating occurs.
· Make 5 to 7 changes per treatment, treating 1 to 4 times per day.
3. Completion of Treatment
· After the last change, thoroughly dry the treated body part.
· If sweating occurs, dry the entire body, remove damp clothing, and dress in clean dry garments.
· Rest for 30 to 60 minutes after each treatment
Specific Treatment Recommendation
Localised Infections, Muscle and Joint Injuries
Treat acute muscle and joint injuries with ice or cold packs, rest, and elevation of the affected body part for the first 12 to 24 hours.
· Begin the contrast bath treatment with water as hot as the patient can handle
· Swap from hot to cold water 5 to 7 times. End with the cold water bath.
· Repeat the above treatment 2 to 4 times per day.
Arthritis
· Begin the treatment with warm water (3 Minutes); then change to cool water for 1 minute. Slowly increase the hot water temperature and reduce the cold water temperature as the patient can handle it.
· Swap from hot to cold water 5 to 7 times. End with the hot water bath.
· Repeat the above treatment 1 to 2 times per day.
Decreased Circulation (Blood Flow) to the Extremities
· Treat with mild heat for 3 minutes and cool water (no ice) for one minute. (Test the water with your elbow to be certain that it is not too hot)
· Swap from hot to cold water 5 to 7 times. End with the hot water bath.
· Repeat the above treatment 1 to 2 times per day.
Energiser and stimulating effects are obtained from short heat and short cold. Depressant effects are obtained from long heat and long cold.
Internal use of water (at least 8 cups daily) benefits:
1. Digestion and producing digestive enzymes
2. Lubricating the cells and systems
3. Washing waste out through the kidney’s
4. Keeping mental activity strong
5. Physical endurance
Precautions: Check with your physician if you have any of the following:
· Diabetes
· Frostbite
· Heart Disease
· Poor circulation
· Hardening of the arteries
IMPORTANT : Only medical professionals should treat in the case of the above listed.
Environment:
· Make sure the room is warm enough and free from drafts
· Have all your supplies ready and where they will be easy to access
· Protect bedding or floor from dampness and have container for used wet materials
· Have a quiet calm atmosphere without interruptions
· No bright lights in patients eyes
· Never leave the patient
· Make sure you explain all steps you do before you do them
· As Christians, more specifically SDA Christians we pray before we begin any treatment
THE CONTRAST BATH
The contrast bath consists of immersing (to put something into a liquid so that it is entirely below the surface) a body part alternately in hot and cold water. (The hot and cold water may be applied with wash cloths to body areas that cannot easily be immersed in water.) This treatment may be combined with the application of a poultice or a heating compress.
The blood vessels expand or dilate with heat and contract with cold – which increases the circulation or blood flow to the treated body part. The increased blood flow (1) improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body cells and (2) quickens removal of the cell’s waste products. The result is increased cell metabolism (the series of processes by which food is converted into the energy and products needed to sustain life) and more rapid healing of the treated body part.
Treatment Indications
· Localized (limited to a small area) infections
· Muscle or joint injuries
· Arthritis (a medical condition affecting a joint or joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness)
· Headaches (contrast bath to the extremities)
· Edema (swelling of a body part due to fluid retention)
· Blood vessel disease of the veins or arteries to the legs and feet
Treatment Precautions
· Do not use very hot or very cold water in cases of loss of feeling (numbness) or blood vessel disease of the legs and feet.
· Be careful not to spread infection; disinfect equipment after treating an open sore or wound.
· Avoid treating any area where there is a tendency to bleed or hemorrhage.
· If the treatment is to be followed by massage to the body part, end the treatment with the hot water bath. (As I mentioned; the blood vessels expand or dilate with heat and contract with cold – increasing the circulation or blood flow)
Equipment Needed
· Two large basins for hot and cold water
· Tea kettle or bucket of hot water
· Towel, Sheet or light blanket
· Another basin of cold water and 2 washcloths for a cold compress to the head
Treatment for Contrast Bath Procedure
1. Preparation for Treatment
· Have the room warm and all the equipment assembled.
· Explain the procedure; assist the patient in preparation for treatment.
2. Treatment
· Encourage confidence in the divine remedies by beginning each treatment with prayer.
· Begin with the hot water bath, starting with milder heat; increase the heat as the patient can handle. After 3 minutes, transfer to the cold water bath for ½ to 1 minute.
· During the treatment, keep the hot and cold baths at the desired temperature by adding hot and cold water as needed.
· Place a cold compress to the head if sweating occurs.
· Make 5 to 7 changes per treatment, treating 1 to 4 times per day.
3. Completion of Treatment
· After the last change, thoroughly dry the treated body part.
· If sweating occurs, dry the entire body, remove damp clothing, and dress in clean dry garments.
· Rest for 30 to 60 minutes after each treatment
Specific Treatment Recommendation
Localised Infections, Muscle and Joint Injuries
Treat acute muscle and joint injuries with ice or cold packs, rest, and elevation of the affected body part for the first 12 to 24 hours.
· Begin the contrast bath treatment with water as hot as the patient can handle
· Swap from hot to cold water 5 to 7 times. End with the cold water bath.
· Repeat the above treatment 2 to 4 times per day.
Arthritis
· Begin the treatment with warm water (3 Minutes); then change to cool water for 1 minute. Slowly increase the hot water temperature and reduce the cold water temperature as the patient can handle it.
· Swap from hot to cold water 5 to 7 times. End with the hot water bath.
· Repeat the above treatment 1 to 2 times per day.
Decreased Circulation (Blood Flow) to the Extremities
· Treat with mild heat for 3 minutes and cool water (no ice) for one minute. (Test the water with your elbow to be certain that it is not too hot)
· Swap from hot to cold water 5 to 7 times. End with the hot water bath.
· Repeat the above treatment 1 to 2 times per day.