What Is Hydrotherapy?

The Greek term for water is 'hydro'. Hydrotherapy is water application therapy. The Romans introduced spas throughout the Roman Empire, but modern hydrotherapy such as, showers, baths or wraps is commonly attributed to Father Sebastian Kneipp (1821-97). Hydrotherapy is the use of water, either internally or externally, to maintain health and prevent disease. Kneipp believed that water would 'dissolve, remove and strengthen'. Dissolve matter-containing disease, remove diseased matter from the body and strengthen the body by restoring cleansed blood to the tissues and maximizing circulation.

The appliances and arrangements by means of which heat and cold are brought to bear on the economy are (a) Packings, hot and cold, general and local, sweating and cooling; (b) hot air and steam baths; (c) general baths, of hot water and cold; (d) sitz, spinal, head and foot baths; (e) bandages (or compresses), wet and dry; also (f) fomentations and poultices, hot and cold, sinapisms, stupes, rubbings and water potations, hot and cold.

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