HYDROTHERAPY

HISTORY  Dr John Floyer, Litchfield, England published “A History of Hot and Cold Bathing” in 1697  Johann Hahn established the basics of modern German/Austrian hydro.  Vincent Preissnitz – spectacular success, popularised and “exported”.  Fr Sebastian Kneipp – next most successful advocate, universally known.

KNEIPP  Poor  Linen weaver  Studied for priesthood  Very popular and well known  3 audiences with Pope  Treated many 1000’s incl. royalty, Pope Leo XII, Benedict Lust, Henry Lindlahr.  Grumpy

Other advocates  Louis Kuhne published “Neo- Naturopathy”, combined fasting and sweat baths with hydro. And founded “Unity of Disease” theory (all disease due to toxicity).  John Harvey Kellog Battle Creek Sanitorium used internal and external hydro.

 C19th  Benedict Lust – founder of modern naturopathy, introduced Kneipp hydro into USA and added it to chiropractic.

 Henry Lindlahr – wrote “Nature Cure”, Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics, etc. after being treated by Kneipp

Note!  Most cultures have variations of steam baths  Central America  North Africa  India Folk Medicine origins

KNEIPP  Worked with the “Five Pillars” of treatment Hydrotherapy - water Hydrotherapy - water Kinesiotherapy - exercise Kinesiotherapy - exercise Dietetics - nutrition Dietetics - nutrition Phytotherapy – plant/herbs Phytotherapy – plant/herbs Regulatory therapy - balance Regulatory therapy - balance “Classic Naturopathy”

5 PILLARS

“CLASSIC NATUROPATHY”

PROPERTIES OF WATER  Water is the perfect medium as a carrier and agent of physical and chemical stimuli, and its cheap!  Thermal: Heat capacity 4.2kJ/Kg for 1 deg C Heat capacity 4.2kJ/Kg for 1 deg C Heat conductivity 24X cf. air Heat conductivity 24X cf. air

 Solubility: additives, e.g. salts, herbs, whey, etc. additives, e.g. salts, herbs, whey, etc. Dipolar - dissolves many subs. easily Dipolar - dissolves many subs. easily homeo? – memory passes on info. homeo? – memory passes on info. Skin – oils absorbed Skin – oils absorbed Substances adsorbed Substances re-absorbed e.g. coumarin

 Mechanical: Hydrostatic pressure α depth 12cmsdepth =pressure of our central veins12cmsdepth =pressure of our central veins 10M depth = 1 atmosphere10M depth = 1 atmosphere n.b cardiac insufficiencyn.b cardiac insufficiency Resistance – as in blitzgussResistance – as in blitzguss Bouyancy effectBouyancy effect

HYDROTHERAPY = THERMOTHERAPY!  STIMULUS > REACTION – REGULATION  “Normalises by strengthening the power of the body to heal itself” (Kneipp internal doctor = vital force)  Vis medicatrix naturae