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Hydrotherapy

General Hydrotherapy Applications

Local Heat : Applying heat to specific areas of the body such as joints, chest, throat, shoulders, spine: use moist hot compress, hot water bottle, hot pack, heating pad, Thermophore.
Local cold: Apply cold to specific area of the body; use cold compress, ice bag, ice pack, ice hat, frozen bandage.
Cold compress that heats the body: A cold wet cloth that is in contact with the skin and then covered with a water resistant covering will create a physiological response that warms the body from within. This is called a cold double compress. It can be applied to any area of the body or the entire body.
Tonic friction: Water sponging or washing combined with some form of friction on the skin produces a tonic effect on the body
Sponging: Use alcohol, water or which hazel applied to a sponge to wash the body.
Baths: Body is immersed in cold, hot or tepid water. Any part of the body may be bathed; arm bath, eye bath, finger bath, hand bath, foot bath.
Showers: Many kinds of water streams can be directed against the body.
Steam: Water particles dispersed through the air that affects the skin, lungs and air passages. Cold steam moistens dry rooms in winter and can help prevent colds and sinus headaches. Hot steam increases body temperature and perspiration to release toxins.
Sauna: Dry heat which increases body temperature and increases perspiration; May put strain on nasal and lung passages.
Shampoo: Soap and water used on one or all parts of the body