INTRODUCTION:
- Hydrotherapy is the external or internal use of water in any of its forms(water, ice, steam) for health promotion or treatment of various diseases with various temperatures, pressure, duration and site.
- It is widely used in the system of natural medicine.
- Use of water in various forms & in various temperatures can produce different effects on different systems of the body .
FUNCTIONS OF WATER:
AIM:
- To reduce blood pressure
- To reduce stress & anxiety
- To improve the quality of life
- To improve their cardiovascular function
- To prevent complications
BATHS:
- WARM/NEUTRAL WATER IMMERSION BATH:
Temperature: 92-98℉
Effects: causes vasodilation, reduces arterial stiffness, increases blood flow, improves vascular endothelial function & oxygenation and decreases sleep-related stress
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which may result in improvements in the cardiovascular function
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and results in decreasing both systolic & diastolic blood pressure(Cardiac effect occurs)
- COLD SPINAL BATH:
Temperature: 55-65℉
Effects: Improves blood circulation to the spine
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activates nerve roots
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relieves congestion over spinal nerves
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& reduces BP, Pulse rate, & temperature
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by bringing about balance in sympathovagal tone
- Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
- BP was checked before & after giving the treatment for 7 days.
- Result: there was a significant reduction in blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
WHIRLPOOL BATH:
- It is an effective method of promoting dilation of blood vessels.
- 10 min of immersion in whirlpools causes increase in feeling of well-being & decreased state anxiety.
- There is an positive impact on cardiovascular function.
PACKS:
- Cold chest pack followed by hot bag over thoracic spine
Effects: causes peripheral vasoconstriction
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& long time vasodilatation
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results in the release of adrenaline
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causes bronchodilatation
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results in improving the pulmonary circulation
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& which leads to decreasing in both systolic & diastolic blood pressure
⇒Cold chest pack followed by
⇒Hot bag over thoracic spineOTHERS:
Cold Water Drinking: Diuretic Effect occurs
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by improving kidney function
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and thereby reduces blood pressure
NOTE: A Research study reported that Drinking 4 glass of water after wake up in the morning can reduce both systolic & diastolic blood pressure(BPchecked twice everyday).
Cold Water Splashing on face: Derivative effect occurs
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and thereby reducing blood pressure
Ice bag application to Back of the Head & Spine:
- Patient should be lying in prone position
- Duration: 10 to 30 seconds
- Caution: under the guidance of physician/therapist
- Effects: causes drastical reduction in systolic & diastolic blood pressure, & pulse rate
- Mechanism: reduction in centrally mediated peripheral resistance or vasodilatation through local mechanism like nitric oxide production.
MUD THERAPY:
- FULL MUD BATH:
Mechanism: Stimulates the release of 𝛃- endorphin, enkephalin & serotonin
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which produces calmative & antithermic effects
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& thereby reducing blood pressure, heart rate & temperature
CAUTION:
- Don't practice without the guidance of physician/therapist.
- Immediately, after the treatment the person should sit for few minutes to prevent falling due to sudden reduction in blood pressure.
- Drink 2 glass of water before starting the treatment.
- All the above mentioned treatments should be practiced in an empty stomach.
