Hydrotherapy for Asthma

Posted by Elaine Moore Aug 26, 2008

Hydrotherapy procedures are water cures. Most spas offer several hydrotherapy options. Finding the best treatment for one's condition is easy because of the open access to clinical trials results.

Medical Uses

Several studies have shown that hydrotherapy helps in rheumatoid arthritis and helps rehabilitate stroke patients. Hydrotherapy reduces inflammation, modulates the immune system and improves respiration.

Hydrotherapy for Asthma

In the September 2008 issue of Natural Health, Naturopath Emily Kane describes asthma as an inflammatory respiratory disease triggered by allergens and airborne irritants that causes:

• a tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways
• swelling of mucous membranes
• increased mucous secretion, which can impair breathing

Dr. Kane reports that inhalers help open air passages but can't effectively reduce inflammation. Dr. Kane recommends hydrotherapy to calm inflammation and control asthma attacks. To follow her protocol:

• Lying supine, place a hot, wrung-out towel over your chest to relax bronchial muscles
• Inhale steam by adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water; drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl inhaling until respiration returns to normal.

In a similar protocol described by The Asthma Center Education and Research Fund for opening the sinuses, either chopped ginger or Vick’s Vapo Rub can be used instead of eucalyptus oil. Alternately, peppermint and spearmint oils can be added to the eucalyptus oil.

Management

As a maintenance therapy, Dr. Kane suggests pouring a cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into a hot bath. This will bring extra oxygen to the skin surface and lungs. The Asthma Center recommends another hydrotherapy techique, in which alternating hot and cold compresses are applied on the sinus area every 2 minutes. Repeating this procedure 3 times a day reduces congestion.

Precautions

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) cautions that patients with pulmonary disorders should avoid using extreme temperatures during hydrotherapy.