13 tips for Hydrotheray

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Thirteen Tips for Using Hydrotherapy at HomeAdapted from New Choices in Natural Healing, by Bill Gottlieb. H2O.

This little molecule is so commonplace that it's hard to think of it as a wonder drug. Yet in many cases of injury or accident, our first, instinctive response is to treat ourselves with water Simple Solution: Every time you soothe a sprained ankle with an ice pack or hold a burned finger under a stream of cold tap water, number of health problems. Hot baths are used to ease joint pain, constipation and respiratory ailments. Cold baths relieve fever and combat fatigue, and herbal baths are popular for relaxation and skin care. * Neutral baths, in which the body is immersed up to the neck in water slightly cooler than body temperature, are used to treat insomnia, emotional agitation and menopausal hot flashes. Soak for 20 minutes, adding water as needed to maintain the temperature of the bath. * Foot baths aren't just for tired, achy feet. Alternating hot and cold soaks is great for relieving swelling in the feet and legs. By diverting blood away from the affected areas, hot foot baths are used to relieve head and chest congestion and even menstrual cramps. Soak in comfortably hot water for 10 to 30 minutes, adding water as needed to maintain the temperature of the foot bath. Finish by rinsing your feet with cold water. * Cold mitten friction rubs, in which the skin is rubbed vigorously with a towel or mitten dippedP>* Hot compresses applied to the chest are also helpful for respiratory problems. To prepare a large compress for the chest, fold a large bath towel over a dry one on your chest. Leave it in place for about five minutes. Repeat this procedure every two hours. Smaller hot compresses are used for localized pain relief from muscle spasms and certain types of arthritis. * Cold compresses can help relieve the pain of gout and minimize swelling from bruises and sprains. Experts suggest limiting cold applications to 20 minutes at a time to prevent damage to the skin. * Alternating hot and cold compresses stimulates circulation to help heal sprains and joint and muscle injuries Begin with three to four minutes of heat followed by 30 to 60 seconds of cold. Repeat three to five times, ending with cold. * Heating compresses are actually cold compresses that are covered with a layer of dry cloth. They are left in place until the body's heat warms them, usually for several hours or overnight. Used for sore thhe pelvic area. Sit in a tub or large basin filled with enough water that the pelvic area is submerged u to the navel. Soak in water from 40 - 85F for 1 1/2 to 5 minutes. * Contrast sitz baths, using separate basins of hot and cold water, improves circulation in the pelvic area. Begin with a three- to four-minute soak in hot water, followed by a 30 to 60-second cold soak Repeat three to five times, ending with cold water. Hugs To You,Theresa In Florida"Lord help me Not to Grumble and Complain"

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