General information Hydrotherapy treatments:
- Weight bath
- Underwater jet massage
- Thermotherapy
- Alternating bath
- Kneipp foot bath
- Hydro galvanic treatment
Interesting facts Water is 800 times denser than air. Water density depends on the temperature and substances diluted in the water. Mineral substance content changes the weight density of water and as a result the impact of water on movement.
Hydrotherapy means the therapeutic application of physical characteristics (heat effect, buoyant force, hydrostatic pressure, resistance and “density”) of water.
Impacts of hydrotherapy
Plunging into water with indifferent temperature (34 to 36oC) is called immersion. Immersion has various physiological impacts depending on the posture:
- Haemoid dilution (“dilution” of the blood);
- As a result of pressure change the lung’s breathing capacity decreases;
- Muscles of the body become relaxed;
- The buoyant force of water, which is based on the Archimedes law, decreases the weight of the body and movements in the water become easier;
- Water resistance can also be used for muscle training.
Impacts of hydrostatic pressure
- Compression impact on veins, peripheral (skin) arteries;
- Decreases the chest and abdominal cavity volume;
- Influences the breathing mechanics (breathing exercise);
- Improves kidney action;
- Decreases the circumference of inflamed joints;
Hydrotherapy temperature
Impacts of cold or hot water Cold or hot water results in further reverse changes in metabolism and in the peripheral (mainly skin veins) circulation.
- In a cold bath veins are contracted, thus causing blood pressure increase, rhythm drop and coronary artery contraction in the body.
- In a hot bath the blood vessels widen, namely blood pressure increase and reflex-based, rapid cardiac action is experienced.
Water temperature related temperature sensation is very different for each individual. In general 10 to 15oC is very cold, 16 to 22oC is cold, 23 to 33oC is chilly, 37 to 38oC is warm and over 39oC is hot.