Hydrotherapy is an external application of plain water for healing purposes. Using water for prevention and treatment has been known since ancient times.
Water has a high heat capacity with low thermal conductivity and is a good solvent for various substances. It affects the body by three factors: thermal, mechanical,and chemical.
Water procedures are applied by wet wraps, immersion in water, steam or ice procedures. In modern hydrotherapy, water is enriched with medicinal substances, herbs, minerals, and gases.
Water procedures have a beneficial effect on many organs and systems, such as skin, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, and excretory systems. Hydrotherapy also affects the excitement and tone of the muscles, metabolism and regeneration of the tissues.
The dosage of the treatment is determined by the intensity of the stimulus, the size of the area to be treated, the duration and type of the procedure.
Characteristic of water procedures is the accumulative effect of repeating them, therefore, late treatment results are often observed.
Aim: The aim of the article is to investigate the healing effects of hydrotherapy in various diseases.
Костадинов Д. Физиотерапия. Учебник за полувисши медицински кадри от всички профили; София: Медицина и физкултура;1991.
Николова Л, Йонков С. и др. Физиотерапия. София, Медицина и физкултура, 1984.
Рязкова М, Кирова И. Физикална терапия. София, 2002.
Hydrotherapy – What is it and why aren’t we doing it?”. International SPA Association.Kansas - https://experienceispa.com/ispamedia/news/item/hydrotherapy-what-is-it-and-why-aren-t-we-doing-it.