I. Overview
Any method that uses the physical properties of water to act on the human body in various ways to treat disease and functional rehabilitation is called hydrotherapy. There are many types of water therapy, divided by temperature, cold water bath, low-temperature water bath, non-sensory water bath, warm water bath, hot water bath; divided by the composition of fresh water bath, medicinal bath, etc.. The applied water temperature, water composition and the role of the way, the role of pressure and different parts, the therapeutic effect and the scope of adaptation are different.
Second, the therapeutic effect
Liquid water can be in full contact with all parts of the body and produce therapeutic effects by transmitting physical and chemical stimuli.
(A) the role of temperature
Water has a large specific heat, large heat capacity, thermal conductivity. The warming effect of hydrotherapy can make the blood vessels dilate and congestion, promote blood circulation and metabolism, make the nerve excitability decrease, pain relief, and relieve spasm. Insensitive warm water bath has a sedative effect. Local cold water stimulation can improve the emergency capacity of the muscles.
(B) mechanical stimulation effect
Hydrostatic pressure can enhance respiratory movements and gas metabolism, can compress the body surface veins and lymphatic vessels, promote blood and lymphatic fluid reflux, which is conducive to reducing edema. Water jets impacting the body, can cause vasodilation, nerve excitability increased; slow water flow has a gentle massage effect on the skin; water buoyancy can make the body immersed in water, limb weight reduction, reduce the load on the weight-bearing joints, to facilitate the activities and exercise of motor function.
(C) chemical stimulation
As a good solvent, water can dissolve a variety of mineral salts, liquids, trace gases, water added to a certain drug or gas, the skin, respiratory tract with chemical stimulation, can make the body produce the corresponding response.
Third, the treatment technology
1.Full-body fresh water bath is filled with two-thirds of the water volume of about (200-250L) fresh water, and the patient is half lying in the bath, with the head, neck and chest above the water surface. The therapeutic effects and indications of different temperature baths are different.
(1) Cold bath (below 20℃) and cool bath (26℃-33℃): It has the effect of increasing the excitability of nerves and improving muscle tone. 3-5 minutes each time. Once every other day, 10 times for a course of treatment.
(2) non-sensory warm water bath (34℃-36℃) and warm water bath (37℃-38℃): It has a sedative effect and is suitable for neurosis and spastic paralysis where the excitatory process is predominant. 10-20 minutes each time, once a day, 10-15 times as a course of treatment.
(3) hot water bath (39℃) or above: has the effect of promoting blood circulation, enhancing metabolism, eliminating fatigue, sweating and sedation. Suitable for polyarthritis, myositis, etc. 5-10 minutes each time, cold towels need to be applied to the head with cold towels in the treatment room to prevent overheating. Daily or every other day, 10 times for a course of treatment.
2, drug bath in fresh water to add drugs to the bath treatment method is called drug bath. Drug bath drug through the skin to produce therapeutic effects, some drug vapor through the respiratory tract inhalation also produces therapeutic effects.
(1) salt water bath: the sea salt or mineral salt dissolved and filtered into the warm bath water, the water contains salt concentration of 1%-2.5%. Treatment time of 8-15 minutes, with the promotion of blood circulation, analgesia, sweating effect, applicable to a variety of chronic arthritis, polyneuritis, etc..
(2) turpentine bath: add 50-100g of turpentine powder or turpentine infusion in 36℃-38℃ bath water, the bath water has a light aromatic smell, has a sedative, hypnotic effect, suitable for hypertension, etc.
(3) Chinese medicine bath: add certain ingredients of Chinese medicine to the bath water at 36℃-38℃ to treat skin diseases, arthritis, etc.. Drug bath generally 10-15 minutes per treatment, once a day or every other day, 15-20 times as a course of treatment.
3, gas and water bath where the water bath containing saturated gas is called gas and water bath. Commonly used gas-water baths are carbon dioxide bath, oxidation bath, hydrogen sulfide bath, radon gas bath, etc.
4, whirlpool bath patient’s whole body or limb in the whirlpool water treatment method is called whirlpool bath. The whirlpool bath is equipped with a whirlpool generator, which can make the bath water whirlpool. The water flow and bubbles have a mechanical stimulation and massage effect.
Hubert bath application butterfly bath for the whole body water bath method is called Hubert bath or 8-shaped bath, also known as butterfly bath. The cross-section of the butterfly bath is butterfly-shaped or figure-of-eight-shaped, which allows the patient to stretch the upper and lower extremities for movement during full-body bathing. The bath is equipped with a whirlpool generator, bubble generator, local jet device, water circulation and filtration device, and some have lifting devices for transporting patients into and out of the bath.
IV. Clinical application
(A) indications
1, internal diseases hypertension, vascular neuropathy, early arteriosclerosis, heart disease compensatory period, gastrointestinal disorders, habitual constipation, rheumatic myalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc.
2.Neurological diseases such as paraplegia due to incomplete spinal cord injury, hemiplegia after cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, neurasthenia, neuralgia, peripheral nerve palsy, Raynaud’s disease, etc.
3.Surgical diseases such as post-fracture sequelae, osteoarthrosis, large scar contracture, functional exercise and recovery after trauma, hemorrhoids, prostatitis, etc.
4.Gynecological diseases such as amenorrhea, warm nest insufficiency, chronic pelvic disorders, etc.
5, dermatological diseases chronic eczema, itchy skin, psoriasis, etc.
(II) Contraindications
Mental consciousness disorder or disorientation, hydrophobia, infectious disease, respiratory infection, cardiopulmonary, hepatic and renal insufficiency, severe arteriosclerosis, epilepsy, malignant tumor, fever, inflammatory infection, skin breakdown, pregnancy, menstruation, urinary and fecal incontinence, excessive fatigue.
V. Precautions
1, the spa room room temperature of 22 ℃ -25 ℃, relative humidity is maintained at less than 75%, should be well-lit, well ventilated, no smoke and dust, non-slip ground, clean water without pollution.
2, bathing ware, bathrobe, bath towels and other supplies after the use of timely disinfection.
3, hydrotherapy should not be carried out within one hour after hunger or a full meal, and patients should empty their bowels before hydrotherapy.
4, the therapist should be in the patient before each hydrotherapy to understand the health of the patient that day, in the process of hydrotherapy patients should pay attention to the patient, especially the frail, inactive, elderly, young patients for protection, to prevent falls or drowning. Spa room should have rescue personnel and the necessary rescue equipment.
5.When the water jet, it is strictly prohibited to jet the head and face, precordial area, spine, genital area.
6, the patient should pay attention to the end of the hydrotherapy warm clothing, rest 20-30 minutes, appropriate drinking water. If the patient feels refreshing and light after hydrotherapy, the skin is slightly red and hot, which is a benign reaction. If the patient feels mental discomfort, irritability, shivering, dizziness, palpitations, weakness, pale skin in the form of chicken skin, for adverse reactions, should immediately lie down and rest, measure the heart rate, blood pressure, pay attention to observation, no discomfort before leaving.