diminish or expel excessive humors such as
phlegm and bile. Water is also a significant compo-
nent in the traditional Chinese and Native Ameri-
can healing systems. A major proponent of
hydrotherapy was Vincenz Priessnitz (1799–1851),
whose system of administering water therapeuti-
cally in numerous ways along with an appropriate
nutrition and exercise regimen sparked the estab-
lishment of hydropathic institutions in the United
States and Europe. Enthusiasts in Priessnitz’s day
were called “hydropaths.” Since the time of St.
Bernadette Soubirous, the waters of Lourdes,
France, have been a destination for thousands of
people seeking faith healing or a water cure.
The 19th-century Bavarian monk Father Sebas-
tian Kneipp helped repopularize the therapeutic
use of water, which has healing properties based on
both mechanical and thermal effects. Hydrother-
apy stimulates the body’s reaction to hot and cold,
to the protracted application of heat, to pressure
exerted by the water, and to the sensation of the
water or being in the water. The nerves of the skin
carry impulses into the body, where they can
encourage the immune system to produce stress
hormones, increase circulatory and digestive
processes, and reduce pain. Generally heat soothes
and relaxes the body, slowing the activity of inter-
nal organs, and cold invigorates and intensifies
internal activity. For example, muscle tension and
stress anxiety may warrant a hot bath or shower.
Fatigue may respond well to a warm bath or
shower followed by a brief cold shower. Baths,
pools, hot tubs, or any body of water in which one
can be submerged offer relief from the pull of grav-
ity, and water’s natural movement gives the body a
gentle massage that helps relieve muscle spasm and
poor circulation. Hydrotherapy and hydrothermal
therapy are chiefly used to tone up the body; to
stimulate digestion, blood flow, and the immune
system; to reduce or alleviate pain; and to reduce
stress. Besides soothing tired, tense muscles,
hydrotherapy quiets the lungs, heart, stomach, and
endocrine system by stimulating nerve reflexes on
the spinal cord. Various case reports and observa-
tional studies and a number of controlled studies
indicate successful use of hydrotherapy. In a 40-
person study at the University of Minnesota, 85
percent of the participants preferred a whirlpool
bath to a still bath because whirlpools had a more
direct impact on the ravages of stress and anxiety
than a still bath.
A number of hydrotherapy techniques are avail-
able: baths and showers, neutral baths, sitz baths,
contrast sitz baths, foot baths, cold-mitten friction
rub, steam inhalation, hot compresses, cold com-
presses, alternating hot and cold compresses, heat-
ing compresses, body wrap, wet sheet pack, and
others. For most douches, the water stream should
always be directed from the outer parts of the body
toward the heart. After douching, dry off excess
water, dress, and exercise. Among various douches
are the following (1) In a knee douche, water
streams from the right small toe, along the outside
of the lower leg to the hollow of the knee, then
along the inside of the leg and over the sole of the
foot. Repeat the process on the other leg. This may
help treat headache, migraine, hypotension,
insomnia, contusions, and varicose veins and other
vascular injury. It is not recommended for urinary
tract infections, irritable bladder, sciatica, or during
menstruation. (2) A thigh douche uses the same
method as the knee douche but includes the upper
thigh to promote better circulation. This may help
treat rheumatism, varicose veins, arthritis, and cer-
tain forms of paralysis. (3) A lower trunk douche,
essentially the same procedure as a thigh douche
but including the lower torso, is used to help treat
diabetes mellitus, meteorism (distention caused by
gas in the abdomen or intestine), enlargement of
the liver, enlargement of the gallbladder, and stone
formation. (4) For an arm douche, direct the water
stream from the outside of the right hand to the
shoulder, then back on the inside of the arm.
Repeat the process for the left arm. It is useful for
cold hands, nervous disorders, neuralgia and paral-
ysis, rheumatism of the arms, heart problems, ver-
tigo, headaches, and catarrh in the nose and throat.
(5) For a chest douche, direct water to the arms
first. This is useful for chronic bronchitis and
bronchial asthma, and angina pectoris. Caution:
Moderate the temperature if there is risk of
angiospasm. (6) An upper trunk douche is used for
the upper torso and arms. It can improve blood
flow to the lungs, heart, and pleura. It is useful for
the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, dis-
ease of the larynx and vocal cords, headaches, ner-hydrotherapy 59