Hydrotherapy - Reduce Stress and Relax

Hydrotherapy is supposed to alleviate body tension, muscle soreness and joint stiffness and instill a sense of calm. Here's what the science says.

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.

• Background

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• Theory
• Evidence
• Unproven Uses
• Potential Dangers
• Summary
• Resources

Background

Hydrotherapy (also called balneotherapy) involves the use of water in any form or at any temperature (steam, liquid, ice) for the purpose of healing. Water has been used medicinally for thousands of years by many cultures, including ancient China, Japan, India, Rome, Greece, the Americas and the Middle East. Modern hydrotherapy can be traced to the development of "water cure" spas in 19th century Europe.

Today, a wide variety of water-related therapies are used:

• Immersion in a bath or body of water (for example, the ocean or a pool)
• Placement of wet towels (hot or cold) over the skin
• Douches with watering cans or hoses
• Water birth
• Arm and foot baths
• Rising-temperature hip baths
• Sitz baths (soaking in hot or cold water below the hips)
• Steam baths or saunas
• Rubbings with cold, wet towels
• Spa-, hot tub-, whirlpool- or motion-based hydrotherapy
• Purifying mineral baths with additives such as sea salt or essential oils
• Dead Sea water treatments

Some therapies include the use of water as only one aspect of the technique:

• Nasal irrigation
• Colonic irrigation or enema
• Physical therapy in pools (Physical therapy or exercise in water makes use of the ability to float and resistance of water against motion.)
• Drinking of mineral water or "enriched" water
• Steam inhalation or humidifiers
• Coffee infusions
• Aromatherapy or baths with added essential oils
• Water yoga
• Water massage (including Watsu, a form of bodywork conducted in pools)

Theory

Various theories have been proposed to explain how hydrotherapy works, depending on the specific technique used. Some hydrotherapy practitioners and textbooks suggest that water treatments and wraps may detoxify the blood, stimulate blood circulation, enhance the immune system and improve digestion. Scientific research is limited in these areas.

Some theories are based on the observation that applying warmth to the skin causes vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels), which brings blood to the body's surface. Warmth can also cause muscle relaxation. Cold temperatures have the opposite effect.