What is it?

Hydrotherapy is a therapy performed in water. A number of factors are used: The weightlessness of the human body in water, the warmth of the water and massage .

Water is extremely suitable for patients with rheumatic complaints, neurological disorders, muscular diseases and patients who are bound to a wheelchair. In a spa bubble bath all the mentioned factors come together. The hydro massage jets present in the spa provide a fine and deep penetrating massage with a healing effect on a psychological and physical level as a result.

History

Hydrotherapy is an age-old way to relieve complaints. Hydrotherapy was already used in the ancient civilizations of the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians . It was common knowledge that the warm water baths could have a positive effect on health. The first man to make a profession of hydrotherapy was Vincent Priessnitz. He started professionally in 1829 and became famous for it. He got customers from all over the world, a very commendable achievement at that time.

The operation

Where does hydrotherapy benefit from? It uses the effects of different water temperatures and water pressure on the body. The skin registers the stimuli that come in and directs them to the brain, where they are processed. In response to the stimuli from the skin, the brain stimulates the immune system , the circulatory system and the digestive system, reduces the production of stress hormones and the body's sensitivity to pain.

As for the temperature, warm and cold currents can be used. Warmth provides rest, it calms the muscles. Cold, on the other hand, activates the body. The pressure that the water exerts on the body can be varied endlessly, depending on the patient's complaints. In the water, people experience a kind of release from gravity: in water, one can float , as it were. In this way, muscle groups that cause complaints can be relieved, and exercises can be performed with the muscle group in a relatively safe way, in order to loosen it up. By working with water pressure on the body, a form of massage can be given.

Stress

Relaxation is the calming of mind and body. The combination of warm water and massaging jets ensures relaxation in the muscles. Music can also help you relax, it has a demonstrably positive effect on the brain. Together with the right lighting, the mind comes to rest , giving the body a chance to recharge.

Joints

There are many methods in which hydrotherapy can be applied. For example, in the case of rheumatic complaints, one often works with a small warm water pool, in which the patient can do exercises. In the case of rheumatism, the warm temperature has a soothing effect on the joints . You can imagine that cold water has a much worse effect on rheumatism patients! In other cases, compresses or water baths can be used. As you saw in the case of rheumatism, the method in which hydrotherapy can best be applied depends on the complaints of the patient.