2. HYDROTHERAPY – LEVEL - 6 Lecture by Sekar

3. INTRODUCTION TO HYDROTHERAPY hydor  The word Hydrotherapy is derived from the Greek words hydor (water) and therapeia (healing) – Duffield, 1976.  Hydrotherapy is as old as the history of mankind.  The use of hydrotherapy as a therapeutic modality is not known, but records dating back to 2400 BC.

4. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW  It has been noted that early Egyptians, Assyrians & Moslems used curative waters for therapeutic purposes.  There is also documentation that the Hindus, in 1500 BC, used water to combat fever.  In the era of 500 to 300 BC, Hippocrates recommended hydrotherapy for the treatment of a variety of disorders, including rheumatism, Jaundice & paralysis.  The Roman empire further expanded the bath system developed by Greeks.

5. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW CONT…  In early 1700s, a German physician, Sigmund Hahn & his sons advocated the idea of using water for “leg sores & itch” & many other medical problems.  This medical discipline began to be referred to as “hydrotherapy” as defined by Wyman & Glazer, consists of external application of water in any form for the treatment of disease.

6. CHANGING NATURE OF HYDROTHERAPY  Thallasotherapy literally means sea therapy.  Balneotherapy or spa therapy is defined as the use of baths (hot or cold springs or natural occurring waters)  current rehabilitation professionals generally define hydrotherapy as a pool therapy program specifically designed for an individual in an attempt to improve neuromuscular and skeletal function.

7. DEFINITION  Hydrotherapy may be defined as the use of water, in any of its forms, for the maintenance of health or the treatment of disease. or  Treatment of different conditions of patients using the therapeutic application of water with the help of whirlpool or Hubbard tank.

8. THE MAJOR CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER chemical substancechemical formula chemical substancechemical formula  Water is the chemical substance with chemical formula H 2 O.chemical substancechemical formula standard temperature and pressure standard temperature and pressure  Water is a liquid at standard temperature and pressurestandard temperature and pressure transparent transparent  Water is transparenttransparent polar moleculeelectrical dipole moment polar moleculeelectrical dipole moment  Water is a polar molecule with an electrical dipole momentpolar moleculeelectrical dipole moment solvent solvent solvent  Water is a good solvent and is often referred as the universal solvent.solvent proteinsproteins, DNA and polysaccharides  All the major components in cells (proteins, DNA and polysaccharides) are also dissolved in water.DNApolysaccharidesproteinsDNApolysaccharides electrical conductivityelectrical conductivity.  Pure water has a low electrical conductivity.electrical conductivity

9. The therapeutic qualities of water include:  Sedative: warm water can soothe and relax, and help induce restful sleep.  Antipyretic: Warm water alleviates joint pain.  Anticonvulsant: Warm water is one of the most effective relaxants -this can alleviate both convulsions and muscle spasms.  Derivative: Water at different depths has different pressures. Changes of pressure helps assist blood-flow from the extremities back to the heart and improve circulation.

10. Hydrotherapy is particularly appropriate for treating:  Neurological conditions  stroke  head injury  spinal injury  Parkinson’s disease  Multiple Sclerosis (MS)  Muscular Dystrophy  Cerebral Palsy (CP)  Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)  Fibromyalgia  Myalgia Encephalopathy (ME)  Motor Neuron disease (MND)  Chronic Fatigue syndrome

11.  Arthritis  osteoarthritis (OA)  rheumatoid arthritis (RA)  juvenile arthritis  ankylosing spondylitis (AS)  Low back, thoracic or neck pain  chronic low back / neck pain  sciatica  Whiplash  Musculoskeletal injury  sports injury  muscular / joint injury or fracture

12. Learning difficulties  development delay  Dyspraxia Post surgery  hip / knee replacement  ACL reconstruction  surgically managed fracture Cardiac Rehabilitation  post MI (heart attack)  post heart surgery

13. The Benefits of Hydrotherapy  increase mobility  reduce pain and muscle spasm  improve and maintain joint range of movement  strengthen weak muscle groups  increase physical fitness and functional tolerances  re-educate normal movement patterns

14.  improve balance  improve co-ordination  improve posture  improve self confidence  stimulate circulation

15. What happens to you during Hydrotherapy?  When you are in pain or under stress, chemical changes in your body can cause the blood pressure and pulse rate to increase, Having regular hydrotherapy treatments can help you to reduce these symptoms by relieving swollen joints and slowing down the process of stress reaction. This will help you to relax and unwind, which is easier for you, helping you to deal with your pain.

16. In your first treatment  After 5 minutes - your blood pressure and pulse rates start to drop.  After 10 minutes - your circulation improves in your hands and feet making them warmer.  After 15 minutes - your muscles will relax becoming more receptive to passive exercise, fibrous tissue becomes more pliable and responsive to stretching encouraging the release of lactic acid and other toxins from your system.  After 20 minutes - your aches and pains will experience a temporary decrease in severity.

17. Further Treatments  After 3 treatments - your immune system will be improved.  After 5 treatments - tension, emotional and physical pain will noticeably be reduced.  After 10 treatments - your pain relief will be longer lasting, you'll experience a greater sense of well-being.  After 20 treatments - you will have a heightened tolerance to disease and depression, your skin will be clearer and glow with health and your muscle tone and mobility will improve.