Balneotherapy and Hydrotherapy
Mehwish Iqbal in Complementary and Alternative Medicinal Approaches for Enhancing Immunity, 2023
Carroll coupled electrophysiotherapy with Kneipp's concept of hydrotherapy, resulting in fundamental hydrotherapy and a recent medical approach to hydrophysiotherapy. In his widely read My Water Cure (Kneipp, 1896), Kneipp discusses multiple cases of various kinds of rheumatism, both local and systemic. In some situations, the body parts managed were unassociated with the area of the body that was affected, such as managing the feet, while the neck and head were the most affected (Kneipp, 1896). Kneipp's therapies covered a wide range of uses. For instance, pouring water on the upper thighs and upper body regularly, a Spanish mantle on the second day, a half bath to substitute the upper water flowing after the fourth day, and a head steam bath per week were utilised in one particular instance of rheumatism afflicting the overall body along with anxiety and feelings of suffocation. Within ten days, the patient's symptoms were alleviated (Kneipp, 1896; Priessnitz, 2010). Hydrotherapy is the internal or external application of water in any condition (ice, steam, liquid) to promote health or manage various disorders at varying durations, temperatures, locations and pressures. It is a common naturopathic modality of treatment in indigenous cultures such as in China, India and Egypt (Fleming & Gutknecht, 2010).
A role for water-based rehabilitation
Claudio F. Donner, Nicolino Ambrosino, Roger S. Goldstein in Pulmonary Rehabilitation, 2020
Traditionally, therapy in water was known as ‘hydrotherapy’, a term used to describe a broad range of therapeutic methods utilizing warm water as the medium and using the physical properties of water for therapeutic benefit. Examples of methods encompassed by the term hydrotherapy include balneotherapy, mineral baths, spa therapy and contrast baths, and often these terms can be used synonymously with the term aquatic therapy; however, these methods and activities do not encompass the domain of exercise or activity for restoration or maintenance of health which is typical of aquatic therapy programmes. Hydrotherapy dates back to 2400 BC when warm mineral baths were used therapeutically. Hydrotherapy pools are typically 33.5°–34.5° Celsius and are termed thermoneutral, i.e. where the body neither gains nor loses temperature, with no effect on core body temperature. This temperature range is recommended as therapeutically useful for a wide range of conditions and permits lengthy periods of immersion (4).
Emotional Health and Stress Management
James M. Rippe in Lifestyle Medicine, 2019
There is evidence that hydrotherapy (or aqua therapy), the wise application of water treatments, can help many medical conditions100 and could help reduce stress.101 Toda reported that water bathing reduced salivary cortisol,102 and Marazziti reported that water treatments increased serotonin, potentially improving mood.103 Whole-body water treatments are beneficial, but simple contrast foot baths were documented to reduce the stress response by calming down the sympathetic nervous system.104 Shevchuk105 explained the benefits of hydrotherapy in the body by the increase of beta-endorphins (which give a sense of well-being) and blood flow to the brain, as well as greater activation of the immune system and neurotrophins, which stress tends to decrease.
Non-pharmacologic approaches for hidradenitis suppurativa – a systematic review
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2021
Aleksi J. Hendricks, Penelope A. Hirt, Sahil Sekhon, Alexandra R. Vaughn, Hadar A. Lev-Tov, Jennifer L. Hsiao, Vivian Y. Shi
Although poor hygiene does not cause HS, it can contribute to odor and flare frequency. Baths are useful for generalized antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. In a questionnaire-based study, patients reported that baths or swimming improved HS symptoms (7). Bleach baths using a ¼ cup of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) diluted in a half-full tub of water 2–3 times weekly can reduce bacterial load and malodor in HS patients (8). HOCl exhibits anti-inflammatory effects through blockade of NFκB signaling in keratinocytes (9) and decreases sensory nerve transmission by inhibiting intracellular calcium signaling, reducing pain and itch symptoms (10). HOCl also reduces serum levels of interleukin (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (10), proinflammatory cytokines elevated in HS skin and serum (3). Warm baths, compresses, and hydrotherapy have been reported to alleviate HS symptoms (11). Hydrotherapy includes a variety of therapeutic methods (water jets, underwater massage, mineral baths) utilizing the physical properties of water, such as temperature and pressure, for medicinal purposes (12).
Aquatic strength training improves postural stability and walking function in stroke patients
Published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2023
Xudong Gu, Ming Zeng, Yao Cui, Jianming Fu, Yan Li, Yunhai Yao, Fang Shen, Ya Sun, Zhongli Wang, Dingyi Deng
Hydrotherapy, which is also known as aquatic therapy, is a type of comprehensive rehabilitation that involves the completion of exercises in a therapy pool (Burns and Burns, 1997). According to the literature, this type of physical activity can serve as an excellent treatment for stroke patients and provides a safe yet effective exercise environment. Studies have reported that aquatic therapy can improve: postural stability (Noh, Lim, Shin, and Paik, 2008); cardiovascular adaptability (Chu et al., 2004); gait velocity (Noh, Lim, Shin, and Paik, 2008); and strength (Chu et al., 2004; Noh, Lim, Shin, and Paik, 2008) of chronic stroke patients. Some studies have also evaluated the effects of lower extremity strength training on the gait and functional indexes of stroke individuals. Furthermore, studies have verified that lower extremity training can improve the walking ability of stroke patients (Kim, Eng, MacIntyre, and Dawson, 2001; Wist, Clivaz, and Sattelmayer, 2016). However, no study has been conducted on aquatic lower extremity strength training owing to the buoyancy and resistance of water. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the effects of aquatic lower extremity strength training on the postural stability and walking ability of stroke patients.
Effects of water therapy on disease activity, functional capacity, spinal mobility and severity of pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2021
Zejun Liang, Chenying Fu, Qing Zhang, Feng Xiong, Lihong Peng, Li Chen, Chengqi He, Quan Wei
There are many forms of water therapy, mainly including hydrotherapy (HT) and balneotherapy (BT). In fact, both HT and BT involve the use of water in any form or at any temperature for therapeutic purposes. However, the definition of HT and BT is frequently confused, and the terms are used interchangeably. HT consists of the use of plain water (tap or very low mineralized water). On the other hand, BT employs generally natural thermal mineral water, as well as mud or gas, which is usually practiced in spas. Compared to HT, whose therapeutic effects may be mostly attributed to the physical properties of water, BT also provides thermal stimulus and chemical substances that are believed to be able to exert therapeutic effects. Thermal stimulus causes muscle relaxation, blocks pain perception at the dorsal horn level, and stimulates opioid secretion; minerals, salts, and gaseous compounds may modulate metabolism and immunology after they are absorbed through the skin and carried to the relevant body parts [7]; for instance, sulfur from BT was reported to have anti-inflammatory effect on diseases such as rheumatic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis [8,9]. Hydrokinesitherapy (HKT) is a type of therapeutic exercise performed in the water environment, whether in HT or in BT setting.
Related Knowledge Centers
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