Hydrotherapy treatment in India is very promising and one of the best at our upcoming first naturopathy hospital in eastern India at JKYNH, Odisha. Hydrotherapy constitutes an important element of naturopathy treatment encompassing a wide range of therapeutic treatment for various pain relief using the physical properties of water with varying temperature that stimulates blood circulation and treat the symptom of the disease. This type of water treatment may involve procedures that include immersing the patient in water or combining the water with oils and herbs as a part of the treatment process.

How does Hydrotherapy work?

The healing properties of hydrotherapy are based on its thermal effects on body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli. The nerves carry impulses felt at the deeper levels of the skin into the body, where they are instrumental in stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, invigorating the circulation and digestion, encouraging blood flow, and reducing pain sensitivity. Generally, heat quiets and soothes the body, slowing down the activity of internal organs while causing the blood vessels to dilate resulting in removal of waste from the body. Cold, in contrast, stimulates and invigorates, increasing internal activity and shunting the organs.

Types of Hydrotherapy

JACUZZI

Here the bathtub is equipped with a powerful water pump, which produces a strong jet stream of water within the tub. The effects of Jacuzzi are similar to those of a whirlpool bath.

The powerful jet causes friction and massages the body, relaxes the muscles, relieves tension, and increases circulation to the skin thereby removing morbid matter from the body.
It also enhances functioning of the heart and lungs.

HYDRO JETS

This is a tub of hot water which uses jets of forced air to produce currents and bubbles, for therapeutic purposes.

activates the nerves and muscles in the body increasing the blood circulation.
relaxes the muscles and cleanses the body of the toxins

WHIRLPOOL BATH

In this bath, a huge circular tub is used. It is equipped with powerful water pumps, to produce a powerful whirl (circular waves) in the tub.

Helps in reducing the pain of arthritis, tendonitis/bursitis and inflammation resulting from sports injuries and overexertion.
The moist heat is extremely helpful to those who are suffering from respiratory ailments, such as congestion, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.

ENEMA

This detoxifying treatment involves a soothing, gentle flow of filtered, temperature-controlled water throughout the colon to flush out logged waste and toxins.

Helps bring about efficient elimination of waste products.
Helps restore tissue and organ function.
Rebalances body chemistry.

IMMERSION BATH

It is one of the hydrotherapeutic procedures where the body is either locally or completely immersed in water of different temperatures. Temperatures vary according to the condition of the patient and season.

Cold Immersion Bath: Helps in high fever, heat stroke, skin diseases, paralysis, muscular dystrophy, polio, and other neuro-muscular disorders. It is contra-indicated in conditions like severe weakness, heart disease, elderly patients, and very young children
Hot Immersion Bath: Here the water temperature is 38-42◦C. It is useful in all the pain diseases, obesity, diabetes, weak digestion, flatulence, asthma, skin and hair problems etc.
Neutral Immersion Bath: Used especially in the winter season. It is a sedative and gives relief to the body in all diseases. Helpful in high fevers, rheumatism, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism, chronic dysentery, etc.

STEAM BATH

The patient is made to sit on a stool inside a specially designed chamber with the face and head out. A cold compress is placed on the head. A steam of natural medicated water is given to the entire body except the face and head. The toxic elements from the body are excreted from perspiration. The duration of the steam bath is usually ten to twenty minutes. A cold shower is taken immediately after the steam.

Medicated or herbal steam helps rejuvenate the body.
Improves circulation of the blood and tissue activity.
Relieves rheumatism, gout, uric acid problems, and obesity.
Helps the skin maintain its natural moisture and softness.

ARM & FOOT BATH

Hands and legs are kept in a special tub filled with hot/cold water.

Cold Foot Bath: Useful especially in excess menstrual bleeding.
Hot Foot Bath: Useful in relieving headaches, sinus problems, frequent colds, menstrual disorders, joint pains, and blood pressure.
Hot Foot & Arm Bath: Useful to treat all kinds of headaches, migraine, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, and hypertension, etc.

JET SPINAL BATH

In this type of bath, a powerful jet of water is applied to the spine. Temperature and duration vary according to the condition of the patient and season.

Cold Spinal Bath: Useful in high blood pressure and emotional disorders such as stress, strain, insomnia, etc.
Neutral Spinal Bath: Useful in high fevers, rheumatism, insomnia, etc.
Hot Spinal Bath: Useful for back pain, cervical pain, lumbar spondylitis, obesity, muscle pain, and some gastrointestinal disorders.

HIP BATH

For this bath, the tub is filled with water in such a way that it covers the hips and reaches up to the navel when the patient sits in it. Hip bath is given in cold, hot, neutral, or alternate temperatures.

Stimulates the circulation toward the pelvic and digestive organs, relieves constipation, flatulence, and indigestion.
Helps set right the menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea.
Helps bring about efficient elimination of waste products.
Helps restore tissue and organ function.
Rebalances body chemistry.

Benefits

Very effective in toning the muscles, and nervous system.
Helps to eliminate body waste/poison through the kidneys, bowel, skin, and lungs.
Improves blood circulation and respiration.
Relieves pain and fastens the metabolic rate.
Delays the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Eases body stiffness.