What is hydrotherapy? Hydro means water and therapy is a treatment. A treatment using water. You can use water in three forms: ice, liquid water and steam. Differences in the temperature and pressure of the water make it suitable for a wide variety of applications. Hydrotherapy has been used for centuries. We also read about this in the Bible. For example, in 2 Kings 5 where Naaman is healed of his leprosy.
"Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." 2 Kings 5:14.
In this post I want to focus on one form of hydrotherapy, namely the contrast shower. Hot and cold water is alternated here.
Effects on the Body
The warm water causes the blood vessels to dilate. The cold water has the opposite effect. It makes the blood vessels constrict. By alternating these two, the blood circulation is greatly stimulated. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the places it flows through. It also helps to remove waste. And it increases the activity of white blood cells. All this ensures a faster recovery of the body.
Contrast showers have an analgesic effect and help to relax muscles. This has been studied in particular after intensive sports training.
Finally, applying a contrast shower or bath can draw blood and lymph to that area, preventing it from accumulating in another part of the body. For example, an contrast foot bath can provide relief from headaches or menstrual cramps.
Indications for the contrast shower
Some reasons to take a contrast shower are:
To stimulate blood circulation
To improve the functioning of the immune system
Infections, for example a respiratory infection
Painful, stiff muscles and joints after intensive exercise
Step by step instructions
1) Set the temperature of the shower to 39-40°C or as warm as you can tolerate. Keep
the temperature the same for 3 minutes.
2) Then quickly switch to cool water. Rapid changes make the treatment more
effective. Hold the cold shower for at least 30 seconds.
3) Then go back to hot water. Make it a little warmer this time than the first time. Keep
the temperature the same for 3 minutes.
4) Then quickly switch back to a cold shower for at least 30 seconds. Make the water
colder than in step 2. You can now tolerate it more easily.
5) Quickly switch back to hot water and make it even hotter than in step 3. Continue
this for another 3 minutes.
6) You now crave cold water. For the last 30-60 seconds, shower to the coldest water
the shower provides.
7) Dry yourself thoroughly and rest for 20 minutes.
In short: 3 minutes hot – 30 seconds cold. Repeat this 3 times, ending with cold.
Make the hot water a little warmer each round and the cold water colder.
Despite the fact that the contrast shower ends with cold water, you feel warm afterwards.
Tips for hydrotherapy
In the downloads of Word and Well-being you will find abbreviated instructions for the contrast shower or an contrast bath. These files are free and can be downloaded immediately, without fill in an email address or other personal information. Click here to go to the free downloads.
During the contrast shower, you can point the showerhead where it is needed most. If you have a cold, you can aim the jet at the nose, cheeks and/or throat. When tired on the middle of your back. Or focus on a sore muscle.
Instead of showering the whole body, you can also shower a part of the body. For example, only the legs. Another option is to take contrast baths. You can use a washing-up bowl to do a contrast bath of hands or feet.
Start the warm bath at 39-40°C and increase the temperature a bit while the patient is in the cold water. However, do not make it warmer than 43°C.
Start with cold water at a maximum temperature of 21°C. Then add ice cubes or a frozen cold pack to the cold water.
Hot water dries out the skin. Therefore, treat the skin with a thin layer of olive oil after the treatment.
If you are interested in more hydrotherapy blogs, read also my post about the hot and warm foot bath.
Warning
People with a weak condition, cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes should not take contrast baths or apply contrast showers. The strong changes between hot and cold are too intense for the heart and blood vessels. Scientific research shows that alternating foot baths do not improve the blood circulation in the feet in diabetics. In addition, some diabetics do not feel when the water is too hot. Sometimes mild contrast baths or showers can be used. With warm (33-37°C) and cool (22-26°C) water instead of hot and cold.
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