Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

Whole or part of the body exposed to the sun, an intrinsic excitant used in chronic disease

There are 3 therapuetic parts of sunshine

1. UV radiation
2. Infra red radiation (heat)
3. Visible light (in the eyes and through the skin)

Effects:

1. Decreases Blood Pressure
2. Increases Endurance
3. Reduces Blood Sugar if elevated
4. Reduces Cholesterol
5. Increases Stress Tolerance by raising certain hormones
6. Decreases Cancer -- Increases Vitamin D
7. Decreases Depression tranquilizes and relaxes
8. Increases white blood cell function
9. Increases Elimination of Toxins by... Increasing Liver Activity
10. Increases Positive Ions

Tonic

Definition

Exposing part or all of the body to sunlight

Physiologic Effects

1. Antibiotic to bacteria and viruses
2. Increase in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and production of both red and white blood cells.
3. Enhances the immune system and phagocytosis
4. Increased metabolic rate
5. Dilation of skin blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure
6. Increase muscle strength and bulk (20% faster than indoor exercise)
7. Inhibits and prevents cancer
8. Makes Vitamin D out of cholesterol and other chemicals in the skin, lowering cholesterol.
9. Sunlight entering the eyes regulates hormone production, endocrine glands and increases the efficiency of neurotransmitters. Most of these effects result from an increase of melatonin production. Melatonin also slows cancer growth and spread.
10. Regulates sleeping pattern
11. Improves health of the skin
12. Increases healing speed of skin wounds
13. Relieves jaundice in babies
14. Tonic effect on the brain

Indications

1. Infections including strep throat, Pneumonia and leprosy
2. Frequent or recurrent Infections
3. Anaemia
4. Acne
5. Hypertension - High blood pressure
6. Diabetes - Sunlight stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin more efficiently and the liver to store more of the blood sugar rather than release it into the blood. This lowers the blood sugar.
7. Hypoglycemia - low blood sugar
8. Cancer
9. High blood cholesterol
10. Skin Wounds and Ulcers
11. Bone Tuberculosis
12. Muscle Weakness (use exercise in sunlight)
13. Depression and other mood problems
14. Jaundice in newborns
15. Hyperactivity
16. Poor skin
17. Insomnia
18. Some skin diseases eg. Psoriasis, Pityriasis Rosea

Cautions

1. Hot sunshine is sedative, sunbaths in tropical climates are best performed in the early morning or late afternoon while the temperature is not so high.
2. Smog cuts out more then 50% of the sun's rays. Sunbaths are best when performed where the air is clear.
3. Keep to short periods to begin with. Sunburn damages the skin and if repeated can cause cancer
4. Don't chill the patient
5. Some drugs such as tetracyclines and griseofulvin sensatise the skin so sunburn occurs easily.
6. Avoid exposing the eyes to direct sunlight.
7. Don't do full sunbaths just before or after meals
8. Have the patient drink water if there is a danger of dehydration
9. Patients on long term treatments should use a low-fat diet as dietary fat increases the speed of sunburn and the chances of developing skin cancer.

Equipment

1. One good-quality sun
2. Privacy

Procedure

Important Considerations

• Direct sunlight, not through glass
• Start at 5 min front then 5 min back and increase by 5 min a day to 30 min
• Most people require only 10 minutes of direct sunlight on their face and arms a day to maintain all the benefits of sunlight.
• For most patients who have local wounds or skin infections: expose the area and its surrounding skin for 15 minutes and increase by 5 minutes a day up to 2 hours
• Patients with general or internal conditions should expose as much of their body as they are comfortable with. Begin with 5 minutes on the front and 5 on the back increasing up to hours total per day.

Treatment

• Always keep the head covered

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

Always keep head covered, first treatment cover body with a sheet.

Tonic for

• Debility in malnutrition in
  • Anaemia
  • Inactive Skin
  • Dyspepsia
  • Neurasthenia
  • Chlorosis
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

• Improves nutrition
• Increases cell division and growth
• Stimulates blood formation
• Promotes healing
• Increases oxidation of blood
• Stimulates capillary circulation - treats cold hands and feet
• Improves mood and mental state