Constitutional Hydrotherapy Treatment
Home Application
Constitutional hydrotherapy is a special technique which greatly improves recovery from many illness, both acute and chronic, such as fatigue, arthritis, bronchitis, food poisoning, heart disease, influenza and chronic constipation to name a few. It has been used successfully by thousands of naturopathic physicians for over a century and at one time was standard medical treatment for many illnesses, in hospitals and clinics.
Hydrotherapy works so well because it acts to stimulate the body's own healing force. During the treatment the patient lies comfortably on a soft table while hot towels are applied over the upper torso. The person is then wrapped in a sheet and covered with several layers of blankets. Once the skin is warmed, a single cold towel is exchanged for the heated one. The body, well prepared by the preceding warmth, reacts to this temperature change by greatly increasing the blood flow to the skin and the internal organs of the chest and abdomen. Hydrotherapy researchers have shown that a reflex increase in blood flow occurs in internal organs when the circulation to the overlying skin is stimulated. It is this internal reaction which is responsible for the long lasting and cumulative effects of a series of hydrotherapy treatments. Research has further shown that the beneficial effects on the immune system last for up to 24 hours making this a very effective therapy for any disorder involving immune function.
To enhance these effects, a mild electrical stimulation is applied over the spine during the treatment. Certain modifications may be made during the therapy depending on the persons ability to react to it and the type of disease being addressed.
The benefits of constitutional hydrotherapy include an improvement in sleep, digestion, bowel function, an increase in your energy level and a reduction in chronic pain. We have found that other naturopathic therapies such as herbal medicines, special diets or homeopathy often work better due to concurrent constitutional hydrotherapy treatments. Some of our colleagues however, rely entirely on hydrotherapy to produce cures of many serious and seemingly incurable illnesses.
I have found that for the best results, constitutional hydrotherapy should be repeated 3 or 4 times per week for several weeks. The number of treatments needed is in part determined by your specific illness and your physician. Many of our patients have found it extremely beneficial to combat the early onset of a cold or flu or just as a treatment to make them feel better following a stressful period in their life.
Indications:
A constitutional hydrotherapy treatment can be applied in almost any acute or chronic health condition including bronchitis, dysmenorrhea, hypertension, depression and arthritis. Treatments should be done once daily.
Contraindications:
Do not do constitutional hydrotherapy treatments on persons with acute asthma, acute bladder infections, or low temperature (< 970F oral). In chronic conditions, they should only be done under supervision by a physician.
Caution:
Avoid becoming chilled. If feeling chilly, add more blankets or place a hot water bottle or other heat source over the feet.
Supplies:
4 Towels shower or bath
2 blankets
1 Sheet
Directions:
Spread 2 blankets lengthwise on a bed with a sheet over them. The person to be treated should lie on their back, unclothed from the hips up.
Thoroughly wring out 2 towels in hot water and place on the chest and abdomen as illustrated below. Wrap the sheet and blankets tightly around them and leave in place for five minutes.
Wring out one towel in hot water and another in cold water. Replace the towels on their chest and abdomen with the hot towel. Place the cold towel on top of the hot one. Flip these over leaving the cold one on the chest and abdomen.
Again wrap the sheet and blankets tightly around them and leave in place for at least ten minutes.
Rest. You may sleep, use visualization, or meditation during this time. Remove the towel when it is warm to the touch.
