Relieve Pain With Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy, otherwise known simply as hydropathy or water therapy is the use of water for health.  Treating both illness and seeking pain relief have been long-standing usages of hydrotherapy.  Ever since the Roman baths and perhaps much earlier, water has been known to have curative and beneficial effects on the human constitution.

Hydrotherapy involves a wide variety of practices.  For some, the term simply refers to using jets, underwater massage, or mineral baths for cures and pain reduction.  Most commonly both water and steam and occasionally ice are included under the broad spectrum of hydrotherapy techniques.  Methods can include baths, compresses, sitz baths, steam baths, whirlpools and showers. 

The therapeutic use of water has been said to help with a variety of conditions.  These range from AIDS, bronchitis, back pain, cancer, hypertension, inflammation, rheumatic arthritis, to muscle pain and chronic respiratory disorders.  Spinal trauma can also be considered to benefit from hydrotherapy.

Different types of water may be used during the therapeutic process including hot water, cold water and alternating between the two.  Hot water in generally considered to stimulate immune response and increase circulation.  Hot water can therefore also help reduce or eliminate toxic buildup.  Hot water is calming and relaxing.

Contrarily, cold water is most frequently used to cool the body.  Cold water constricts the blood vessels thereby reducing inflammation.  It is also used as a treatment of fever.  Alternating between hot and cold is a great treatment for upper respiratory congestion.  Alternating between these methods improves circulation and stimulates organ function.

Many of these techniques can of course be used at home.  Warm sitz baths can help with the treatment of uterine cramps, muscular disorders, prostate disorders and painful hemorrhoids.  Cold water baths can be used for inflammation, constipation and impotence.

If you are looking for something a little more exotic sounding however, you may want to travel a bit further afield than your own bathroom.  Traditionally, taking of the waters at Bath for instance, or attendance at a natural spring or mineral water locale, has been the choice of many for a centuries.  Hydrotherapy tourism is a growing industry with many North Americans travelling to Europe to enjoy water cures. 

You may not need to venture so far from home however in order to enjoy a good water bath.  Many an upscale spas now offer water treatments as part of their selections of offerings.  A mineral soak or even a Scoth hose (an alternating spray of hot and cold regular or seawater on pressure points) or a Swiss shower (a multiple jet extravaganza).  Whatever your preference, the benefits of water therapy are many, and unlike so many treatments these days, hydrotherapy is a safe and relaxing alternative.