HYDROTHERAPY DIRECTIONS

CONSTITUTIONAL HYDROTHERAPY

The purpose of this treatment is to stimulate a more rapid improvement in health, along with the application of specific dietary therapy and other measures. It is an integral part of most ofour treatment protocols, but it has other applications. It can be used whenever there is a fever or febrile illness, or to ward off illness which is beginning to manifest. It is strengthening and healing to the digestive system, helps to normalize circulation, soothes the nervous system, stimulates eliminative and detoxifying processes, and stimulates the vital force. It is a subtle yet powerful treatment with no potential for harm if done according to the following directions, under the order of a qualified naturopathic physician. If one is doing this treatment during chronic illness, a weekly report to the naturopathic physician is mandatory, and no other treatments or medications of any kind should be used without the knowledge and approval of the naturopathic physician.

1.) With the patient lying on the back, cover the bared chest and abdomen, from the neck to the pubic bone, with 2-4 thicknesses of terrycloth towel wrung out in hot water tolerable to the touch. Cover the body with a blanket to avoid becoming chilled. Leave the hot towels in place for five minutes.
2.) Replace the hot towels with a single thickness of towel wrung out in cold water. Cover the person as before to avoid chill. Leave the cold towel in place for 10 minutes. Do not remove the towel until it has become warmed.
3.) Turn the patient over and repeat the same treatment on the back.

The treatment takes about half-an-hour. This method is best done to the patient by another person.

If the patient is going to administer the treatment to himself, the following modification should be used.

Take a hot bath or shower for 5-10 minutes. Get out and dry off. Take a large towel wrung out in cold water and wrap it around the torso, from the armpits to the groin. Cover up with a robe or blanket to avoid a chill. Leave in place 20-30 minutes. Do not remove the towel until it becomes warmed.

At the end of this treatment the patient should feel better. They should not feel chilled. If they do not feel better, or feel chilled, contact the naturopathic physician and do not repeat the treatment.

WARMING SOCKS

Now that cold and flu season is in full-swing, here is an idea for home treatment to help ward off the common cold. The warming socks treatment is best if repeated for three nights in a row at the first signs of a cold, and also is useful for sore throat or any inflammation or infection of the throat, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, coughs, and sinus infections.

This treatment acts reflexively to increase circulation and decrease congestion in the upper respiratory passages, head, and throat. It has a sedating action and many patients report that they sleep much better during the treatment. This treatment is also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute infections. In order to do this treatment you will need, 1 pair thin cotton socks (athletic socks work fine), 1 pair thick wool socks, a towel and a warm bath or footbath. The directions are as follows:

 1. Take a pair of cotton socks and soak them completely with cold water. If you tend to be cold or have low vitality, try using cool water during the first treatment rather than cold water.

2. Warm your feet. The treatment may not be as effective if your feet are not warmed first. Warming can be accomplished by soaking your feet in warm water for at least 5-10 minutes or taking a warm bath for 5-10 minutes.

3.  Dry off your feet and body with a dry towel.

4. Wring the cotton socks out thoroughly so they do not drip and place the socks on your feet.

5. Put the thick wool socks over the cotton socks.

6. Get in bed. Cover well and sleep all night with socks on, it should be relaxing and not uncomfortably cold. If you are unable to sleep because of the cold socks consider removing the socks and soaking your feet again, this time            using cool rather than cold water to wet the cotton socks. Your feet and the cotton socks should be warm and dry in the morning. If your feet are cool or the cotton sock is still damp, consider increasing the length of the hot foot    soak.

As an alternative or complement to warming socks try throat or chest warming compresses. Warm the throat or chest with a hot washcloth or shower. Dry the skin thoroughly and apply a thin cotton wrap (to throat) or thin cotton T-shirt (to chest) that has been soaked in cold water and wrung out thoroughly. Cover this with a wool scarf (throat) or wool sweater (chest). Go to bed. By morning, the scarf or T-shirt should be warm and dry. The same cautions for the warming socks treatment apply here.

This treatment should be used with caution on anyone with decreased or compromised sensory abilities such as infants, the elderly, or diabetics as they are at greater risk for heat and cold injuries. Do not use this treatment over areas of hemorrhage, gastric ulcers, malignancy, peripheral vascular disease or conditions aggravated by extreme cold. If you have any questions or concerns, ask your Naturopathic Doctor!

THROAT COMPRESS

 Definition

A heating compress is a form of hydrotherapy involving a moist compress to the affected areas. The compress is applied cold, but then heats up by the body's reaction to he treatment. The reaction is mediated through the nervous system which in turn directly affects various blood, lymph, sebaceous glands, sweat glands as well as surrounding tissue and muscle. In treating the skin we directly influence many activities associated with healing.

Indications

Sore Throat and associated hoarseness, neck pain, tense muscles and any inflammation or infection of the throat.

Equipment

1. Cotton cloth - long enough to wrap around your neck.

2. Wool flannel (wool scarf) - to cover the cotton; alternatively, the cloth maybe made long enough to include ears when wrapping throat.

3. You also need a water supply of hot and cold water - fill 2 sinks or buckets, one with warm and one with cold.

4. Safety pins

5. Face cloth

Method:

Warm area first with warm face cloth - use as a compress 2-3 minutes. Soak the cotton cloth in cold water and wring out well prior to application. Wrap around neck only or include ears if desired. Wrap wool over cotton and  secure with safety pin. Leave on at least half an hour but overnight is more effective. Follow treatment with a quick cold sponge to area.

Effects:

1.      Sedative

2.      Increase deep local blood flow by reflexive action

3.      Mild local sweating

4.      Relaxation of muscles and blood vessels locally

5.      Pain relief

Precautions:

Chilling should not be experienced during this treatment. Keep warm either in bed or wrapped up n a blanket. Change compress at least every 8 hours and allow the skin to dry at least 1 hour between treatments. Do not tie the compress on too tightly - this treatment should be comfortable and beneficial. Please consult your doctor if your condition does not improve or you have any questions regarding this treatment.

Reference: Boyle W and Saine A. Lectures in Naturopathic Hydrotherapy. Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications. 1995

MUSCLE INJURIES

1)     Apply 3 minutes hot water

2)     Follow 30 seconds to 1 minute COLD water

3)     Repeat 3 minutes HOT water

4)     Follow 30 seconds to 1 minute COLD water

• apply water with shower head, or emersion into a tub of sorts to the area in questions

• use extreme temperatures to TOLERANCE

• Repeat as many times as you can at a sitting and as many times a day as you can

• ALWAYS end with COLD.

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