Are The Benefits Of Hydrotherapy Significant?

Is hydrotherapy for you? Before you can determine that, you need to know what it involves. You don’t need to be a scholar to figure out that it has something to do with water (hydro) and a treatment of some sort (therapy). It’s also called hydropathy and its benefits may be of interest to you, especially if you are a woman with fibromyalgia, someone who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, burns or paralysis or someone who is simply stressed out.

What Is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy was first applied as a medical tool in the early 1800s. It can involve both cold and warm water treatments as well as a multitude of tools and equipment. It is used to treat several diseases and musculoskeletal problems and improve relaxation. You can think of it as getting a physiotherapy treatment in a pool.

Some people use this type of therapy as a way to pamper themselves, rejuvenate their spirit and relax their body. Imagine soothing warm mineral water flowing from large shower heads, cascading over your skin? Wouldn't this be relaxing?

A common yet not so relaxing type of naturopathy also uses the powers of water to stimulate liver detoxification. This procedure is called Colon Hydrotherapy and it involves irrigating the colon with clean, distilled water.

Hydropathy is not limited to humans? Water therapy is also very popular with dog owners! If you think your dog could benefit from a little time in the pool with a therapist, make sure to talk to your veterinarian about Fido's arthritis.

Hydrotherapy Equipment

Because of the wide range of methods used in hydrotherapy, you may come across different types of equipment. The most common equipment is as follows:

Full Body Immersion Tanks
Whirlpools
Hot Air and Steam Baths
Foot Baths
Compresses or Bandages
Hot and Cold Packings
Showers

Before you get all excited and book your first session, there is an important detail that you should know. There have been reports of infections transmitted through the use of hydrotherapy in the last few decades. You should avoid this type of treatment if your skin is broken or if you are suspicious about the cleanliness of the establishment offering hydrotherapy.

Proven Benefits Of Hydrotherapy: Published Studies

In June 1996, the Arthritis Care & Research Journal published the results of a study that compared the effects of hydrotherapy, seated immersion, progressive relaxation and land exercise on patients who suffered from chronic rheumatic arthritis. The study concluded that hydrotherapy produced the greatest improvements.

Another study published in December 2007 in the Evidenced-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine Journal favoured acupuncture and hydrotherapy as alternative methods to reduce labour pain.

For those women who suffer from fibromyalgia, there is hope. A study published in February 2006 in the Arthritis Rheumatism Journal evaluated the short and long-term efficacy of hydrotherapy in a waist-high pool of warm water. Muscle strength increased, pain decreased and the patients reported an improvement in their quality of life. Even better news: these improvements were noted for both short and long term.