Hydrotherapy refers to the use of water in medical treatment. Such methods have been in use since ancient times, when it was noticed that natural hot springs possessed healing abilities for joint pain. Nowadays, we have greatly developed our knowledge of the benefits of hydrotherapy, as well as modernizing it with various technological innovations that enable us to treat specific diseases. Hydrotherapy is generally accepted to be as effective as any drug or medical operation, and is particularly popular in treating diseases of the bone and muscle. These useful qualities can be attributed to the 4 properties of water.
- Liquid Fluidity allows water to be in contact and infiltrate all areas of the body surface, especially crevices such as the hands and f
- Good conductor of heat and cold. Heat has a positive effect on reducing muscle fatigue and rela If only a part of the individual’s body is submerged, then the water temperature should be set to 40-45°C. If the whole body is submerged i.e. a bath or jaccuzzi, then the recommended temperature is 39°C. However, if movement or physical activity is required then water temperature should be set at a lower temperature of 33-36°C to avoid fatigue from over-exertion.
On the contrary, cold water is refreshing so it is often used with patients still experiencing fatigue after hydrotherapy in warm water. Some health
clinics may have bathing tubs filled with very cold water (12-18°C), but patients are not recommended to wash for more than 1-2 minutes.
- Buoyan As density of water is very close to density of substances within the body, being immersed in waist-height water (half of total body height) means patients will feel like they are half their actual mass. Similarly, if water is neck-height then only their weight is only 8% of that on ground i.e. a 100kg patients weighs only 8kg, making them feel like they are floating. Hence, we experience a feeling of weightlessness in water as if someone is supporting our body, which allows us to move with greater agility. Therefore, it is perhaps not surprising that patients suffering from obesity will choose hydrotherapy over standing or walking exercises in the gym. This is because in water the load on weight-bearing joints (e.g. knee, hip, middle back) is lessened, making dynamic movements easier.
Hydrotherapy may also be useful for elderly who have difficulty with balance and often experience accidental falls. Furthermore, this method of
treatment is dubbed an ‘All-in-one’ therapy for sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis who have widespread movement difficulties. This is because besides nursing the whole body, the warm water also relieves pain, joint
and muscle stiffness allowing easier exercise.
- Internal Friction of water provides resistance against underwater movements, making strength recovery of muscles much more efficient compared to what should be expected from such minimal exer
Once muscle strength has recovered and symptoms relieved, patients can move on to exercise on land such as biking, jogging or running depending on the rate of recovery of different individuals. Despite the numerous steps involved, starting off with hydrotherapy is perfect for patients needing treatment for weight- bearing joints and other joint diseases throughout the body.
From the above, we can see that hydrotherapy is very beneficial for bone and muscle systems. The treatment ranges from easy actions that some people are already doing as part of daily life, to treatment that requires a health clinic or specialized hydrotherapy pool. Putting inconveniencies aside, this treatment is considered highly effective with little cautions or restrictions. People who may need special consideration before treatment in include elderly patients or those with heart disease who may feel more easily fatigued due to larger energy expenditure in warm water. Epileptics, women in the first 3 months of pregnancy, or those with visible wounds may need to discuss with doctors before undergoing treatment to ensure safety and decide appropriate treatment duration. Finally, those who are not able to swim should not be deterred from hydrotherapy, as there are no restrictions unless the water level exceeds the patient’s chest height.
