Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

"The hot bath dilates (the skin) vessels bringing fresh blood with oxygen and nutritive elements.... The absorption and use of vital food elements is stimulated.... Waste products are more completely removed. The resistive powers of the body are stimulated..." Hydrotherapy in the Home, p.32.

Water 38 - 40°C / 100 - 104°F

Effects:

• Analgesic
• Mild Stimulant
• Derivative
• Sudorific

Definition

A tub bath with increased water temperature for specific heating effects.

Physiologic Effects

1. To increase peripheral circulation
2. To increase metabolism
3. To increase perspiration
4. To elevate body temperature
5. To relieve pain, stiffness and fatigue
6. To relieve congestion of internal organs

Indications

1. Poor General Circulation
2. Pain, especially Joint Pain, Colic and Cystitis
3. Muscle Weakness and Muscle Rigidity
4. Congestion of internal organs
5. Early in the treatment of Sedentary Lifestyle with Musculo-Skeletal Dysfunctions and Cold Extremities

Contraindications or Cautions

1. Heart and valvular diseases
2. Diabetes
3. Diseases of malignant origin
4. Vascular disorders
5. High blood pressure

Important Considerations

• Aged or frail people will not tolerate hot bath well
• If patient is on medication, consult physician first
• If dizziness or faintness developments, STOP at once
• Never leave the patient alone

Equipment

1. Bath thermometer
2. 2-3 bath towels and bath mat
3. Basin of ice water
4. 2 wash cloths or compress
5. Shower cap to protect hair
6. Rubber ring or folded towel for patient to sit on
7. Folded bath towel for inflatable or plastic-covered head pillow
8. If prolonged:
   1. Ice bag
   2. Cool fluids to drink

Procedure

Important Considerations

• When patient is taking medication, it would be well to consult the physician in regard to the use of the Hot Tub Bath
• Aged or frail people will not tolerate hot bath well
• Do not leave patient alone, if dizziness and weakness develop and the pulse become weak and rapid, discontinue at once
• Do not give the hot bath after a full meal, it is better for liquids to be given after a bath
• Avoid drafts
• Use a bath thermometer for checking water temperature; the hand is not a safe guide but elbow can be used if no thermometer is available.

Preparation for Treatment

• Room should be warm and free from drafts
• Assemble equipment
• Fill the tub ⅔ full of water at 38 - 40°C / 100-104°F

Treatment

• Assist patient into tub; make comfortable with a pad or folded towels under hips and behind head
• Cover exposed body parts with a towel or cover tub with a sheet or light blanket
• Keep head cool with a cold compress
• The first treatment should elevate the body temperature only 1°C / 2°F; the duration only 10 minutes
• Cool water to 35.5°C / 96°F for about 5 minutes; encourage exercise in the water
• With longer bath times and increased temperature always use an ice bag over the heart and give fluids to drink
• Check pulse regularly; do not exceed 80 beats per minute.
• Assist patient from tub; remember, he/she may become dizzy or faint with exertion getting out of the tub
• Follow the bath with an Alcohol Sponge or a Cold Sponge
• Dry thoroughly and keep patient warm
• Have patient rest for 1 hour after treatment
• It may be advisable to take the bath only two or three times weekly as the physician may deem necessary
• Avoid over-fatigue
• Care of the skin after the bath is important: Dry skin thoroughly; olive oil for dry skin is beneficial

Completion of Treatment

• Finish with: Blanket Wrap if heating is required.

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

39, 38-41°C / 102, 100-106°F; Very hot 42, 40-46°C / 108, 104-115°F

• 2-15 min, always begin at 38°C / 100°F and raise gradually

Derivative

40°C /104° 5-15min followed by vigorous Tonic Friction in:

• Haematuria - alternate each hour with lumbar Fomentations
• Pulmonary Congestion of Capillary Bronchitis or Pneumonia in
  • Children, remove from bath when skin is bright red, 2-4x
  • High fever: daily half bath with continual Cold Pail Pour
• Chronic Bronchitis and Asthma
  • 5-7min with rubbing by friction mitt,
  • cool carefully,
  • rub skin with oil
• Cerebro-Spinal Congestion in Meningitis
  • 10-15min, 4 hourly with cold to head
• Renal Congestion in:
  • Acute Nephritis of Scarlet Fever 41-43°C / 106-109°F,
    • 10min Daily or more often if severe followed by Scotch Douche
• Antidote to overdose of cold
• Vaginal Discharge in feeble nursing mothers - 38-40°C 100-104°F, 40min
  • Followed by brief Cold Mitten Friction
• Joint Pain in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis 15 min
  • Build up to 45°C / 113°F, 3-6X a week.
  • Rub during bath, massage the joints.
  • Followed by prolonged tepid Douche or Scotch Douche or Cold Mitten Friction

Sudorific

40-44°C / 104-111&°F 10min followed by a Dry Pack in:

• Oedema without general Cyanosis
  • If due to heart disease cool off slowly by wrapping in a sheet and a blanket and rest for 1 hour.
  • Avoid chilling.
  • If still strong sweating use Wet Hand Rub or tepid Sponge
• Amenorrhoea - 38-40°C / 100-104°F, 30min when menstruation is due 2x daily for 2 or 3 days
• Dysmenorrhoea with scanty flow 15min
  • with profuse flow 42°C / 108°F, 3-4min followed immediately by Vaginal Irrigation 40°C / 104°F
• Obesity 39-41°C / 102-106°F, 10-15min
  • Followed by vigorous and prolonged Cold Tub Bath or Shallow Bath
• Itching in Jaundice

Antispasmodic

43°C / 109°F, 10-15min, for palliative Pain relief in:

• Colic (Gastric, Intestinal or Renal)
  • in Renal Colic massage the painful area to assist in the movement of the calculi
• Cystitis - cool down slowly with neutral treatments
• Trigger Points

Stimulating

over 40°C / 104°F, 3-5 min followed by Tonic Cold

• Delirium Tremens - then Cold Mitten Friction or Cold Shower
• Dry Eruptions in Measles Scarlet Fever etc.
• Toxaemia with Cyanosis and Nervous impairment in
  • Typhoid Fever,
  • Measles
  • Smallpox
  • Diphtheria
    • 39-41°C / 102-106°F, followed by cold Pail Pour 10 litres over back and chest patient sits in tub or by Cold Mitten Friction
• Convulsions of Childhood - followed by cold Pail Pour 1-2 ltr to head and spine. Wrap warmly after for reaction
• Asphyxia in newborns 15-20sec, followed by Cold Pail Pour. Artificial respiration during bath.
• Muscle Weakness in Feebleness - 38-39°C / 100-102°F.

Antipyretic in

• Retention Fevers - 35°C / 95°F, 3min, followed by Wet Hand Rub

Contra-indications

• Organic Diseases of the CNS
  • Tabes Dorsalis
  • Sclerosis
  • Poliomyelitis
• Cardiac Insufficiency and Cardiac Enlargement
• Arteriosclerosis
• Stroke or Hypertension
• Chronic Nephritis
• Fevers

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

• Diaphoretics if prolonged or very hot
• As preparation for cold treatment
• Sedative (Antispasmodic) at 37-38°C / 99-100°F.
  • Begin at 37°C / 99°F and gradually raise to 38-41°C / 100-106°F, 2-20min
  • Drink cold water freely
  • Cooling Compress to head
  • If needed Precordial Compress and Ice Bag to neck
  • Finish by cooling the bath, cold Pail Pour or cold Shower immediately on rising.