Types of Hydrotherapy You Must Know

For centuries taking mineral baths in springs and rivers have been used to cure many medical conditions. Hydrotherapy is an alternative therapy used to treat arthritis, osteoarthritis and many other conditions where CA hot tubs or chambers are used. Hydrotherapy is often done at health centers, spas, or at home. Some of the common types of hydrotherapy include:

1. Watsu

It is an aquatic massage where the therapist uses massage techniques while you float comfortably in a warm water pool.

2. Sitz bath

A sitz bath involves two adjacent tubs of water, one warm and one cool. You sit in one tub with your feet in the other tub, and change alternatively. Sitz baths work best for conditions like hemorrhoids, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menstruation problems.

3. Warm water baths

As the name suggest, an individual is soaked in warm water for up to 30 minutes, depending on the condition. Water used contains Epsom salts, mineral mud, aromatherapy oils, ginger, moor mud, and dead sea salts for better results.

4. Steam bath or Turkish bath

In this traditional Turkish bath steam rooms are filled with warm, humid air. The steam is said to help the body release impurities and calm tensed nerves. Individual is required to sit in this for about an hour or 45 minutes at least.

5. Sauna

The most common and popular hydrotherapy is sauna. In this method the dry, warm air promotes sweating that open pores and shed off impurities.

6. Wraps

A, cold, wet flannel sheets are used to wrap the body while the individual is lying. The person is then covered with dry towels and then blankets. The body warms up in response and dries the wet sheets. It's used for colds, skin disorders, and muscle pain.

7. Contrast hydrotherapy

This is one kind that can be performed at home. All you need to do is that at the end of a shower, turn the temperature down to a level you can comfortably tolerate and turn the water off after 30 seconds. It relaxing for muscles and skin.

8. Hydrotherapy pool exercises

Exercising in a warm-water pool is a popular practice used to treat osteoarthritis. The warm water allows you to exercise without fighting gravity and offers gentle resistance. It is helpful for back pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Unlike water aerobics, hydrotherapy exercises tend to be slow and controlled and should be done under the guidance of a physiotherapist.
Your therapist suggest any of these in accordance with your condition.

Author’s bio: the author is a blogger and the article is about hydrotherapy.