How Does Your Body Respond to Hydrotherapy?

Your body responds to Hydrotherapy based on the application, technique, and area of body focus.

In this blog, I’ll explain how Hydrotherapy works, so you can use Hydrotherapy to treat a wide range of health issues from sore muscles to headaches. As always, check with your medical provider before beginning any new medical application. There are Hydrotherapy contradictions that need to be considered for various conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, pregnancy, and so forth.

Hydrotherapy’s effects on your body are based on water temperature, length of use, and area of body focus. Your body reacts differently based on the type of Hydrotherapy Application used. According to Dr. Patrick Barron, there are 3 primary Hydrotherapy Applications:

1. Mechanical: Hydrotherapy using water friction, whirlpool bathtub, sprays, and so forth.
2. Chemical: Hydrotherapy using water through ingestion or washing out one of your body cavities.
3. Thermal: Hydrotherapy using water temperatures above or below your body/environment normal temperature. The effects of water temperature in Hydrotherapy are a key application of Hydrotherapy.

The effects/results of these 3 Hydrotherapy Applications for you may include:

1. Local: also referred to as thermal shock, these Hydrotherapy effects are rather immediate and include the use of heat or cold applications to the area of your body being treated. The result of using either heat or cold produces increased or decreased blood flow/ circulation, muscle relaxation, and/or pain relief.
2. Systemic:  are Hydrotherapy effects not limited to the area of Hydrotherapy application, but rather to a related group of parts or organs. These Hydrotherapy effects can include internal temperature shift, sweat, blood pressure/flow, heart and respiration rate, and/or metabolism.
3. Reflex: are more complex Hydrotherapy effects and “based anatomically on the segmental relationships of the skin and major organs.” Reflex effects are not immediate and involve the Autonomic Nervous System.

As you can see, your body’s response to Hydrotherapy is varied depending on the Hydrotherapy Application used. Due to the complexity of Hydrotherapy, we will continue to explore this topic together in additional blog entries.

Reference: Hydrotherapy Theory & Technique 3^rd Edition by Dr. Patrick Barron

Comments

[Better in LA.]

I've been using hydrotherapy for the past 2 years. I have noticed a change of not only the way I feel but also in the way I heal. Kinda rhymed:) But I really do notice the speed of healing small things like cuts and scrapes. Instead of the normal week or 2 I dealt with before. I now am healed in 3 to 4 days. I'd have to say this is pretty cool considering I don't really use any other products, Just my Steam shower.

[Danny]

Hydrotherapy huh? I think of it as a long shower or soak in the whirlpool tub. Good word though! I can see the effects in the winter for the most part. It's warm and humid in the spring, summer and most of autumn. Winters here are dry and cold. Hydration of my skin is pretty important in healing. I had problems getting small cuts to heal when it's so dry out. I tried adding a humidifier to my furnace but no such luck. The steam shower has done wonders.

[Angel]

This is a great way to cool down after a workout! I am a Physical Trainer at our neighborhood community center. Needless to say I am exhausted at the end of the day. I use my steam showers whirlpool tub to relax and watch a little tv to unwind. This is my favorite part of the day! My muscles are so much better after a half hour of that!

[Sharon J.]

I use hydro therapy daily. I usually take a 30 minute hot bath. I feel like staying in for longer periods of time helps my skin rid itself of the pore clogging material. Gross but I then take a shower to wash off. This is refreshing to me.

[Erin Owens]

I agree Sharon! I've been using the whirlpool bath every night before bed and my skin is so much clearer! It's been great on my sinuses. I have narrow nasal passages and that seems to open them up a bit. Nice being able to breath while I'm sleeping.

[Cindy Blese]

I didn't know what hydrotherapy was until I used my steam shower. I have the one with the whirlpool tub included. It is so fun to use on a stressful day! I can feel my whole body relax. My whole body seems to be at ease when I just think about the upcoming night in my whirlpool tub!

[Lauren Ladue]

Being pregnant is a heck of a feeling! There seems to be a few ways to completely relax in this state of being. My favorite is sitting in my whirlpool tub. I was warned not to have the water too hot and not to stay in too long. This is better than any drug they can prescribe.

[Glen Davis]

Hydrotherapy is an everyday thing for me. I have a whirlpool tub and I never realized the benefits I was getting from it's use. This is all good news. Thanks for the info.