WATER THERAPY

 

water to treat certain illnesses

The term "hydrotherapy" literally means "to heal with water". The concept may seem curious and yet, this very ancient therapeutic technique (it was already used in ancient Rome) has been proven in the face of several diseases ... For others, however, its effectiveness is still debated. Close-up on the different forms of hydrotherapy and their usefulness to help you see more clearly!

All about hydrotherapy

 

What is hydrotherapy

When we talk about "short" hydrotherapy, we usually mean outpatient water care. During thalassotherapy cures, sea water is the focus. Spa treatments, on the other hand, focus on the use of fresh water (classically, spring water rich in mineral salts). Another thing to know: water can be used in both liquid and gaseous form. Essential oils or other therapeutic "ingredients" can be combined as needed. Among the outpatient treatments most often offered are:

The baths. These are the flagship treatments of balneotherapy. These can be hot, cold or even steam baths;

Massages by water jets, stimulating or soothing;

Seaweed or mud wraps.

On the side of internal hydrotherapy, we can cite gargles and drinking cures. But there are many other treatments, such as colon hydrotherapy: to simplify, let's say this is a modern form of the enema of our grandmothers.

How can water heal?

Hydrotherapy is based on the properties of water including its ability to communicate its temperature to the body. Cold water, for example, is used to cause blood vessels to contract in painful inflammation, while hot steam baths promote the elimination of toxins through the sweating process.

We must also mention the mechanical properties of water, allowing to gently stress the joints and effectively massage targeted areas. Finally, the composition of water also contributes to care: its mineral salt content could have a positive influence on various diseases.

What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?

The benefits of hydrotherapy are numerous. ENT disorder, venous insufficiency, depression ... hydrotherapy has a reputation for relieving many diseases. It is usually used in addition to medical treatment to relieve certain symptoms. Among the scientifically proven benefits of hydrotherapy, especially its ability to reduce rheumatic pain (eg: back pain) and improve joint mobility. Hydrotherapy is therefore one of the common treatments for osteoarthritis. Other studies also tend to show its effectiveness against the symptoms of varicose veins, chronic heart failure and psoriasis (skin disease).