An Introduction and a brief history of Hydrotherapy

Although many are under the impression that hydrotherapy originated somewhere in Germany in the early 1800s, its history goes further back.

We know that in ancient Egypt the pharoes and his royal family bathed in waters containing flowers and essential oils.

In ancient Greece, bathing in spring water to help alleviate pain and sickeness was one of Hippocrates' favorite prescriptions.

And who is totally unfamiliar with the Roman baths? These weren't merely places where people went to socialize, conduct business, or rid their bodies of dirt!

But let's skip ahead a few thousand years...

A German monk by the name of Sebastian Kneipp believed that water could dissolve matter-containing material, remove it from the body, and strengthen the body by providing it with clean, healthy blood that could flow freely to all the tissues.

But though Kneipp is considered to be the one who first promoted the benefits of water therapy, the subject was presented a few centuries earlier by two British physicians, James Currie and John Floyer. Dr. Currie's book became quite popular and was translated into German not long after its publication. Perhaps this book prompted Kneipp to popularize this therapy.

What is the hydrotherapy?

It is the use of water, in its various forms and temperatures, to help relieve pain and musculoskeletal disorders, but these are not all.

In these pages you will also find information about hydrotherapy and asthma, pulmonary diseases, and cancer.

Traditional medicine, of course, is reluctant to give it its seal of approval - especially when people engage in it outside of a medical facility! But this doesn't surprise me a bit. Does it surprise you?

Truth is, hydrotherapy can be very effective for a variety of problems, including stress, pain relief, circulation, and skin disorders.

For example, it can improve circulation tremendously, allowing blood to transport oxygen to cells and tissues. And good circulation also improves lymphatic system drainage!

Warm water, especially when used as a dissolving agent for herbs and essential oils, is an unbeatable sedative, promoting a restful sleep. Cool water works great as an antipyretic (decreasing fevers).

Stress and pain cause several chemical changes in the human body. Blood pressure goes up, heart rate increases. Muscles tend to contract, decreasing the amount of blood flow. We experience headaches, digestive problems, etc. etc. Did you know that studies have shown stress causes the stomach mucosa to change color? It turns quite pale!

But water therapy can help us here. Click on the link below if you want to read about some important research studies.

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Hydrotherapy, asthma, cancer, pulmonary disease studies