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Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic practice that the naturopathic doctors here at Richmond Natural Medicine often recommend to clients for a variety of benefits. 

 

Hydrotherapy – as the name implies – is the external or internal use of water for various health conditions, and has been used in cultures all over the world for thousands of years. Some examples of hydrotherapy include cold water immersion (also known as a cold plunge), facial steams, sitz or salt baths, colonics, aquatic exercise, applying ice or heat packs to localized parts of the body, saunas, and cryotherapy. Different temperatures and time allotments will have varying impacts on the body, and depending on your health or specific condition, one form may be preferred over another. 

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy can be used as a stand-alone therapy, or in conjunction with other treatments as recommended by your healthcare team. Even some European countries today use cryotherapy for mental health illnesses paired with their counseling and psychiatric care. One primary difference in hydrotherapy includes hot vs. cold. Temperature plays a role in how the body will respond to the treatment. Some of the benefits of each include:

Cold Water Therapy

  • Lowers body temperature
  • Enhances the immune system
  • Reduces inflammation and pain
  • Improves cardiovascular health
  • May increase stamina and endurance over time

Hot Water Therapy

  • Improves detoxification and elimination of toxins (sweating)
  • Relieves localized pain
  • Relaxes muscles and increases blood flow

 

Read More: Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body

What Conditions Can Be Supported With Hydrotherapy?

For centuries, hydrotherapy has been used successfully for the health and well-being of people young and old. With more and more research being done on specific health conditions and hydrotherapy, we can more effectively utilize the benefits of hydrotherapy (in conjunction with other necessary therapies) for certain health conditions including (but not limited to):

  • Arthritis & Osteoarthritis
  • Neuropathy
  • Severe PMS and menstrual pain
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Sports injuries such as sprains, joint and muscle injuries & spinal injuries
  • Hypertension
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Depression and anxiety

If you are curious about the personalized benefits of hydrotherapy for your own health and longevity, ask your naturopathic doctor, or consider scheduling an appointment to discuss the options from cold packs to the usefulness of an infrared sauna (available to current RNM clients).

Phone 804-977-2634

Fax - 804-980-7876

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM

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