Hydrotherapy - जल चिकित्सा – Jal Chikitsa
Hydrotherapy (Jal chikitsa), a form of Naturoathic Medicine also known as a water cure. It is a branch of Nature cure that uses water for pain relief and treatment. Naturopathic hydrotherapy makes use of water to treat disorders and stimulate blood circulation at different temperatures, forms, and pressure with an adjuvant to relieve the ailments of the body. As a major part of our body is made up of water it can be considered a main component of Naturopathy. Hence, can help preserve health, soothe inner congestion and also cure several diseases.
Naturopath recommend use of Water therapy, a form of physical therapy as a cleansing agent to reduce infections due to contamination. Hydrotherapy is also effective for burn treatment. The doctors aid the healing process of a burn injury using warm running water. The main objective of Jal chikitsa therapy is to enhance blood circulation, improve digestion and blood flow. Further, also induce healing using alternating applications of hot and cold water to specific areas of the body.
There are many potential health benefits of Hydrotherapy in Naturopathy:
Hydrotherapy is usually practice at chikitsa clinic, spas and even at home. Common types include:
An aquatic massage rendered by a therapist using massage techniques as you float conveniently in a warm water pool.
Naturopath recommend sitz bath for patients with hemorrhoids, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menstruation problems. This form of treatment involves two adjacent tubs of water, one warm and one cool. You sit in one tub with your feet in the other one and then take turns.
Warm water baths involve soaking in warm water for about 30 minutes or as per requirement. Adding Epsom salts, mineral mud, aromatherapy oils, ginger, moor mud, and dead sea salts enhances the therapeutic results of the therapy.
Steam rooms are packed with warm, humid aid and steam that stimulates the body to discharge impurities.
Sauna bathing is a manner of shifts between hot and cool & means to be relaxing. So after the last round in the sauna, one should take a cool shower to close the pores in the skin and dress up only once the body stops sweating. The dry, warm air encourages sweating.
Towels drenched in warm and/or cool water are placed on specific areas on the body. Cool compresses lessen redness and swelling, while warm compresses boost blood flow and relax tense and inflamed muscles.
Naturopath Doctors use Ice packs as a remedy to calm inflammation and ease pain in case of bruises and sprains.
Make the patient rest and lie down on the surface. Wrap cold, wet flannel sheets around the person’s body topped up with dry towels and blankets. The body warms up in response and dries the wet sheets. It is effective in treating cold, skin disorders, and muscle pain.
After a shower, Turn down the temperature to a bearable level (it shouldn’t be icy cold). Turn the water off after 30 seconds (some people shuffle between warm and cool water for up to three cycles, always finishing with cool water).
Take a pair of wet cotton socks, wet them completely, twist them out and then put them on your feet. Now put a dry pair of wool socks over them and go to bed. Take them off in the morning. The cold, wet socks are said to enhance circulation in the body and help relieve upper body congestion.
May use Hot compresses or hot water bottles to treat severe conditions such as chest colds and coughs. It not only alleviates symptoms but also decreases the length of the illness.
Exercising in a warm-water pool permits to exercise without battling gravity and grants gentle resistance. Thus, an effective treatment for back pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Hydrotherapy exercises tend to be slow as compared to water aerobics.
Colon Hydrotherapy, form of hydrotherapy uses clean filtered water under gentle pressure (without pain) to wash out or detoxify the colon of stagnated fecal materials. It is the method of cleansing and flushing out the colon or large intestine and can give major relief to gastrointestinal health conditioned patients. The treatment is similar to an enema but is more extensive.
– Do not practice hydrotherapy treatment immediately after food.
– Avoid hot water therapies for diabetic patients.
– Extreme contrasts of temperatures should not be used for people having poor circulation & low energy levels.
– Therapy should be avoided if the skin is delicate or sensitive.
– Never go in for more than one therapy at a time or on the same day.
– Except for a few common ones, hydrotherapy should be followed at a chikitsa clinic.
Note: We recommend to discuss your physical condition and medical history with your doctor before joining hydrotherapy sessions.
