The Forgotten Art of Hydrotherapy, Part I

Source by Daniel H. Chong, N.D.

By now, many of you have learned of Dr. Mercola's support for naturopathic medicine. Some of you may be very familiar with naturopathic medicine, and some of you may even be seeing a licensed naturopathic doctor. Although this is a wonderful thing, I fear that most of you, even those seeing a naturopath, are missing out on one of the most powerful treatments ever used in naturopathic medicine, hydrotherapy. Used as part of any treatment plan, hydrotherapy treatments can have a profound effect.

Unfortunately, there are few medical doctors out there who recommend this type of treatment to their patients. Worse yet, there are fewer and fewer naturopathic physicians using hydrotherapy as part of their treatment plans. This article is being written to give everyone a short lessen on, or reminder of, the power of hydrotherapy, in hopes that it will once again find its place amongst the common treatments being prescribed by truly health conscious physicians today.

A Brief History

Hydrotherapy, in one form or another, has been around for at least as long as animals have roamed the earth. There have been numerous accounts of sick or injured animals observed in the wild, soaking themselves or their injured parts in a cool stream everyday until they were well again. One of the first textbooks on hydrotherapy was written in 1697 by the English physician John Floyer. Since then, there have been numerous physicians and others who have become famous using various types of hydrotherapy treatments to cure people of countless illnesses. Many people have heard of John Harvey Kellog, who ran the famous Battle Creek Sanitorium in Michigan, and used many different hydrotherapy treatments, as well as massage, electrotherapy, and diet to help cure hundreds of previously "incurable" cases.

By the early 1900s, hydrotherapy was a common treatment employed by naturopathic physicians. Benedict Lust, Henry Lindlahr, and O.G. Carroll are three of the most famous naturopathic physicians who have ever lived. They combined hydrotherapy with other treatments such as herbal medicine, homeopathy, and diet therapy to help heal literally thousands of people whose conditions were originally considered incurable. Hydrotherapy was the center-point of their practices and many of the treatments that they used are still being used today.

Since the time of these great physicians, hydrotherapy has experienced a slow but steady decline in popularity as a common treatment in naturopathic offices, for numerous reasons. Some doctors lack the proper training and experience, as school curriculums no longer focus on hydrotherapy. Some doctors choose not to use these treatments, because they can be time consuming, and not very cost-effective. There are still a few doctors out there who continue to carry on with these wonderful treatments. These doctors are aware of the power of hydrotherapy, and will continue using it well into the future, regardless of what new supplements or other "miracle treatments" come along.

The Theory and Practice of Naturopathic Hydrotherapy

Naturopathic hydrotherapy differs slightly from the standard hydrotherapy commonly used by medical doctors and physical therapists. In general, M.D.s and physical therapists simply recognize the mechanical effects of hot and cold applied to the body, e.g., that hot will relax muscles, and cold will decrease inflammation. The naturopathic hydrotherapist also believes that hydrotherapy can affect the quality of blood in circulation. This is done primarily through treatments that tonify the digestive and detoxification organs (liver, kidney, lungs and intestinal tract) and thereby improve the nutrition received by the blood as well as help to cleanse the blood of endogenous and exogenous toxins.

This effect is accomplished by using an alternating application of hot and cold water to specific areas of the body. By switching back and forth between hot and cold, blood flow will be increased to that spot and the organs underlying that area. The naturopathic hydrotherapist views blood as the conveyer of life. Naturopathic hydrotherapy works because it optimizes the quality of blood while improving the efficiency of its circulation.

A naturopathic doctor will sometimes prescribe a hydrotherapy treatment specific for the patient's condition, and that patient will perform this treatment on themselves at home. Some naturopathic doctors have the capacity to perform hydrotherapy treatments in their office, but such a situation is quite rare these days. Many of the commonly used hydrotherapy treatments work perfectly fine at home, but if possible they are best done in a doctor's office. This allows for the entire treatment to be monitored and modified if necessary.

Some Classic Treatments

Nasal Lavage

The nasal lavage is a wonderful treatment used in cases of chronic infections and/or irritations in the nose and sinuses. These conditions include sinusitis, hayfever, and seasonal allergies.

The goal of the nasal lavage is to reduce or eliminate the recurrent irritant so that the body can be given a chance to heal itself. Often times antihistamines, antibiotics and/or surgery are used to treat these conditions but do little to affect them, especially their recurrence. Long-term use of nasal lavage in these cases, along with appropriate diet and lifestyle changes, can be extremely helpful.

It is extremely important to follow all the instructions very carefully. Continue the routine until all symptoms resolve. This may take three to six months so BE PATIENT. For acute problems, perform the nasal wash up to four times per day until resolved.

For chronic problems, it is usual to do the wash one or more times daily, continuing for several months. Pain or bleeding after the lavage may mean that an infection is still present and so it is important to continue with the program.

Be persistent as it takes a lot of effort to rid your body of these chronic bacteria that may be producing the low-grade infection. If your condition continues to worsen, or no improvement is noted after a week of treatment, see your doctor.

Supplies Needed

• Sea salt
• Filtered or bottled water
• Neti pot or bulb syringe
• Towel or washcloth

Directions

The technique, outlined below, may seem unusual at first. However, once learned, you will quickly realize how beneficial it is for sinus problems.

1. Locate a workable container. The Neti pot is specially designed with a spout that fits comfortably in one nostril. Alternatives you can use include a bulb syringe, a small flower watering pot, a turkey baster, or just a teacup (though the latter will be messier).
2. Fill the container with lukewarm salt water. The salt-to-water ratio is 1 teaspoon sea salt to 1 pint (2 cups) water. Filtered or bottled water is best.
3. Have some tissues within reach for this next part. Over a sink, tilt your head forward so that you are looking directly down toward the sink. Insert the spout into your right nostril. It is important that you breathe through your mouth. Turn your head to the right and let water move into the right nostril and exit the left nostril. Normally, you will feel the water as it passes through your sinuses. It is fine if some of the water drains into the mouth. Simply spit it out and adjust the tilt of your head.
4. After using a cup of water, repeat the above procedure for the other nostril.
5. To finish, expel any remaining water by quickly blowing air out both open nostrils 15 times over the sink. Avoid the temptation to block off one nostril, as doing so may force water into the eustachian tube.

Alternating Hot and Cold Sinus Compress

This treatment can be used as a stand-alone treatment for painful, swollen sinuses, but can also be used in conjunction with the nasal lavage treatment. Combining the two seems to make each one work a little better.

Supplies Needed

• Two face cloths
• Hot water
• Cold water

Directions

1. Soak one face cloth in hot water. Wring it out so it is damp but not dripping. Place the face cloth over your nose and eyes, and sinuses surrounding these areas and leave it in place for three minutes.
2. Have the second face cloth soaking in cold water. Wring the cloth out. Remove the hot cloth, and place the cold cloth over the same area of your face for 30 seconds.
3. Repeat this alternating sequence two more times for a total of three alternating sequences of three minutes hot and 30 seconds cold.

Frequency of Treatments

1. For severe and acute problems, perform morning and evening.
2. For less severe problems or maintenance, perform once a day.

The entire procedure will take about 10 minutes once you have everything organized. If you are trying to clear drainage from your sinus passages, perform the NASAL LAVAGE procedure after you have completed the alternating hot and cold heating compresses.

About the Author: - Dr. Daniel Chong is a licensed naturopathic physician practicing in Beaverton, OR. His practice focuses on chronic disease and pain management. In his practice, he strives to integrate the treatment and healing philosophies of classical naturopathic medicine, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Dr. Weston A. Price. He may be contacted at:

Chiropractic and Naturopathic Physicians Clinic
12195 SW Allen Blvd.
Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: (503) 646-0697
Email: danielchongnd@earthlink.net