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Water and physical therapy

© Ozana Pope-Gajic

We all know that cold therapy produces blood vessel constriction in localized tissues to decrease swelling and relax skeletal muscles. On the contrary heat therapy facilitates the healing process by producing blood vessel dilation, thereby enhancing local blood flow decreasing edema, increases tissue temperature and producing pain relief. But, is that only way of using water for treating our patients? For centuries people was using water for healing. It has been used in all of it's forms from ice to steam, including baths, saunas, douches, wraps, and packs. Today it's same situation. I think that every man and woman use water's magnificent, therapeutic characteristics. Ice on your swelling knee, hot shower for your aching back... It's a magic what water can do!

Nevertheless, let's start from the definition. What is hydrotherapy? Simple. It is the use of water in the treatment of disease. A simple definition for knowledgeable physical therapy profession which facilities are nowadays part of most modern hospitals and clinics.

Another term is aquatic physical therapy. It is rehabilitation that is done in a heated pool of water. Kinesitherapy in water is an ideal form of active and active assisted exercise. The buoyancy effect of the water provides a gravity eliminated environment which improves movement of affected limbs. Exercise instruction is given by licensed physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and athletic trainers who are trained in aquatic physical therapy. Exercise in water can increase circulation, strength and endurance and, what is more important, protects joints during exercise, reduces stress, decreases swelling. For patient it's a great way of exercise because it's warmth and massaging effects allow muscles to relax, while helping to reduce pain. We, physical therapist, use water's effects (gravity, buoyancy, viscosity, surface tension, turbulence), for relaxation, passive, assisted, active and exercise with resistance. This variety of treatment gives us a possibility for good work with patients in different conditions.

Different kind of "water" therapy calls hydrothermal therapy. Hydrothermal therapy additionally uses its temperature effects, as in mineral waters, therapeutic steam baths, saunas, wraps, etc. In hot baths warmth and massaging effects allow muscles to relax, while helping to reduce pain. Health resorts called spas offer that kind of treatment.

What are the cautions and contraindications for hydrotherapy? Hot applications like, for example, hot immersion baths, full body heating treatments and hot saunas should be taken with precaution for patients with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, women who are pregnant or anyone with abnormally high or low blood pressure. Cold applications, like cold foot baths, should be avoid by people suffering from sciatica, pelvic inflammation, rheumatism or people who suffer from Reynold's disease.

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