Hydrotherapy is one of the oldest and most developed methods physiotherapy, consisting of the therapeutic use of water in the form of baths, showers, showers, rinses and other treatments. sIt is used in rehabilitation at the seaside, in sanatoriums and physiotherapy centres.
History of hydrotherapy
This type of therapy has a tradition that is even centuries old. The period between 500 and 300 BC in ancient Greece is considered the time of 'water treatment', and was already used by Hippocrates to treat various ailments. The first studies related to bathing appeared in the 17th century, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a proliferation of hydrotherapy methods, in sanatoriums and health resorts. One of the most famous was the centre and method of water treatment developed by Vincenz Preissnitz in Grafenberk, Czech Republic. Preissnitz treated a variety of conditions using the stimulus effects of hydrotherapy, as well as drinking cures and hardening treatments.
How does hydrotherapy work?
The effect of hydrotherapy is due to the physical properties of water and the physiological effects obtained. The most important physical characteristics are the ability to store and conduct heat and the mechanical properties.
Baths, with the exception of hot ones, increase diuresis and stimulate central nervous system, while repeated warm baths have a tonic effect. A short and intense cold stimulus during bathing increases muscle tension, while a longer cold reduces muscle activity. In contrast, a short but hot stimulus causes contraction of the muscles and blood vessels.
The baths also affect the endocrine system, the pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-thyroid axes. It is also worth knowing that stimulation of the endocrine glands during cold baths results in increased secretion of adrenaline, noradrenaline or thyroxine and the AUN response influences many changes in gastrointestinal function. Warming or cooling, on the other hand, affects the circulatory system, lymphatic system and metabolism and the responses to immersion of the body in water act on water-electrolyte balance and resistance or facilitation of movement in the aquatic environment. These are referred to as hydrorehabilitation or hydrokinesitherapy.
Hydrotherapy application
Hydrotherapy is most commonly used for conditions such as:
- cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, post-heart attack conditions,
- musculoskeletal conditions i.e. muscle tension, post-fracture conditions,
- nervous system problems, post-stroke or with disorders feeling,
- respiratory diseases,
- rheumatic diseases.
Contraindications
Contraindications to treatment hydrotherapy are:
- cardiovascular or respiratory disorders,
- First trimester of pregnancy,
- intellectual disabilities and severe mental disorders,
- areas of skin with impaired sensation,
- bleeding,
- insufficiency sphincter and incontinence urine.
Hydrotherapy and its types
The basic treatments using hydrostatic water pressure, are baths:
- total,
- partial;
- Electricity and water;
- pearls;
- aerobic;
- aromatic
- underwater massages
Other treatments using hydrodynamic water pressure include:
- watering - this can be total or partial. Before starting it, the face and neck should be washed with cold water, wiped with a towel and gymnastics should be performed,
- fixed showers,
- mobile showers.
Not everyone knows that physiotherapists also carry out hydrotherapy treatments using fabric. These are often treatments in the form of :washing, which involves washing the body with a sponge or towel soaked in cold water and lasts from 2-3 minutes. It has a hardening and stimulating effect on the circulatory and respiratory systems. Other treatments of this type include:
- brushing,
- patting,
- partial and total rubbing, used for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, neuroses and peripheral circulation disorders,
- wrapping, which involves tightly wrapping the entire body with a sheet squeezed out of the water and wrapping the entire body with a blanket. It lasts from 20 minutes to 2 hours and is followed by a cool shower which has a calming effect,
- packs,
- compresses.
Zabiegayments made without water pressure are sauna and steam baths. Nbutzy however remember that this type of treatment is very intensive i due to impaired evaporation of secreted sweat increase definitely body heat.
Frequent treatment is also ckinesiotherapy bath polega| on performing specific movements and water exercises. It is mostly used in conditionsch musculoskeletal organs and defectsah attitudes.
