Hydrotherapy at Home

Hydrotherapy at Home

Cheap and easy, these simple hydrotherapy treatments require no special equipment and are ideal for home use, say hydrotherapy experts. To find out which of these techniques can benefit a particular condition, turn to Part II of this book. Note that specifics such as water temperature and length of application can vary depending on the condition being treated. You can check water temperature with a regular oral thermometer.

* Baths and showers can be used to treat a number of health problems. Hot baths are used to ease joint pain, constipation and respiratory ailments. Cold baths relieve fever and combat fatigue, and herbal baths are popular for relaxation and skin care.

* Neutral baths, in which the body is immersed up to the neck in water slightly cooler than body temperature, are used to treat insomnia, emotional agitation and menopausal hot flashes. Soak for 20 minutes, adding water as needed to maintain the temperature of the bath.

* Sitz baths are used to treat pain and infection in the pelvic area. Sit in a tub or large basin filled with enough water that the pelvic area is submerged up to the navel. Soaking in a sitz bath for 11/2 to 5 minutes at temperatures ranging from 40° to 85°F--or for longer periods at higher temperatures--relieves anal and vaginal irritation, hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Cold sitz baths can improve pelvic muscle tone in people with stress incontinence.

* Contrast sitz baths, using separate basins of hot and cold water, improve circulation in the pelvic area, speed the healing of vaginal and urinary tract infections, reduce pelvis pain and treat ovarian cysts. Begin with a three- to four-minute soak in hot water, followed by a 30- to 60-second cold soak. Repeat three to five times, ending with cold.

* Foot baths aren't just for tired, achy feet. Alternating hot and cold soaks is great for relieving swelling in the feet and legs. By diverting blood away from the affected areas, hot foot baths are used to relieve head and chest congestion and even menstrual cramps. Soak in comfortably hot water (about 110°F) for 10 to 30 minutes, adding water as needed to maintain the temperature of the foot bath. Finish by rinsing your feet with cold water. Alternating foot baths can also play an important role as a supplementary treatment for serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure.

* Cold mitten friction rubs, in which the skin is rubbed vigorously with a towel or mitten dipped in cold water, are used to increase circulation and fortify the immune system. A simple, invigorating way to banish fatigue, the cold mitten friction rub is also used to speed healing from bronchitis and pneumonia and may benefit those with chronic fatigue syndrome. After a hot bath, shower or sauna, dip a towel or washcloth into cold (50º to 60ºF) water, curl one hand into a fist and wrap the cloth around it. Use your fist to rub your other arm in a vigorous circular motion, beginning with the fingers and finishing at the shoulder. Dip the cloth in the cold water again and repeat. The skin should be pink. Dry the arm with a towel using the same vigorous circular movement, then repeat the process on your other arm and on your legs, feet, chest and abdomen.

* Steam inhalation is used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia, easing breathing by loosening mucus in the chest. Inhale the steam from a pot filled with boiling water. Take the pot off the stove and let it cool, so no active boiling is taking place (if the water is actively boiling, you can scald your face and respiratory tract). Hold your face about a foot away from the pot, and cover your head and shoulders with a towel to trap the steam. Continue for up to an hour, reheating the water as needed.

* Hot compresses applied to the chest are also helpful for respiratory problems. To prepare a large compress for the chest, fold a large bath towel lengthwise, twist it as if you were wringing it out and dip the center third into almost-boiling water. Pull the ends apart as hard as you can to remove most of the water, then lay the hot towel over a dry one on your chest. Leave it in place for about five minutes. Repeat this procedure every two hours. Smaller hot compresses are used for localized pain relief from muscle spasms and certain types of arthritis.

* Cold compresses can help relieve the pain of gout and minimize swelling from bruises and sprains. Experts suggest limiting cold applications to 20 minutes at a time to prevent damage to the skin.

* Alternating hot and cold compresses stimulates circulation to help heal sprains and joint and muscle injuries. Begin with three to four minutes of heat followed by 30 to 60 seconds of cold. Repeat three to five times, ending with cold.

* Heating compresses are actually cold compresses that are covered with a layer of dry cloth. They are left in place until the body's heat warms them, usually for several hours or overnight. Used for sore throats, ear infections, chest colds, joint pain and digestive problems, the heating compress creates a soothing warmth in the affected area and attracts an influx of nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to speed healing.

* The body wrap, or wet sheet pack, works on the same principle as the heating compress. The entire body is wrapped in a cold, wet sheet and covered with a wool blanket; the feet are kept warm with blankets or a hot foot bath. The pack is left in place until the body heat dries the sheet. The effect depends on the duration of the treatment. If removed after about 20 minutes, the body wrap can reduce a fever. Left in place a little longer and removed in the warm, or neutral, stage, it encourages sleep and relaxation. Applications up to three hours long induce profuse sweating, an effective detoxifying treatment for those with drinking problems as well as for those who smoke. (This treatment usually requires a second set of hands.)

* The salt glow, in which the body is rubbed vigorously with sea salts or Epsom salts, is an invigorating treatment for those with poor circulation. It's also recommended as preventive medicine and for those following a detoxification program. Starting with damp skin, take a handful of damp sea salts or Epsom salts and massage your skin vigorously until it turns slightly pink. Repeat on the arms, legs, back, shoulders and abdomen--and don't forget the hands and feet. It should take one to two pounds of salt to work your entire body. The salt glow may make you perspire and will help you sleep more soundly. Salt rubs should not be used if you have a skin rash or sensitive skin.