HOT WATER SPRINGS

DIRECT USES INDIRECT USES

RESEARCH COMPLEX &

NATATORIUM
FOOD PROCESSING UNIT .
LABORATORIES
THEURAPETIC
RECREATIONAL  GEODYNAMICS
PURPOSE
PURPOSE  GEO-OPTIC
(WELLNESS TOURISM)
 GEOCHEMISTRY
 EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS
 POOLS HYDROTHERAPY
 SEDIMENTOLOGY
 THERMAL BATHS
 SPA / SAUNA  KINETOTHERAPEUTIC  ADVANCED MINERALOGY
/MUDDING BATH  ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
 RESTAURANT /  COLD BATHS  GEODETIC ENGINEERING
CAFFETERIA  ALTERNATING BATHS  TESTING/EXPERIMENTING
 SMALL COMMERCIAL
 SITZ BATHS UNITS
COMPLEX / ARCADES
 LIMITED ROOMS TO  STEAM BATHS
FOOD PROCESSING UNIT
STAY  MEDICINAL BATHS
 YOGA / GYMNASIUM  AQUATIC THERAPY  GREENHOUSES
 AMUSEMENT PARKS  CONTRAST BATHS  COLD STORAGES
 MUSEUMS/DISPLAY  HYDRO MASSAGE  DRY FARMING
AREAS
 KNEIPP SYSTEM  DRYING , PROCESSING &
 GEOTHERMAL
EDUCATION PARK  WATER CIRCUIT PRESERVING UNITS
THERAPY  DEMONSTRATION AREA
 SEMINARS/CONFERENCES .

Types of Hydrotherapy Treatment

Hydrotherapy can be provided in various forms:

Aquatic Therapy: This is a type of hydrotherapy that a physical therapist will provide. A therapist may use different
positions or directions depending on the results he/she wants to achieve.

Contrast Bath: As the name suggests, this is using cold and hot water baths alternatively. Contrast baths are proven
to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Hydro-massage: Hydro-massage often uses high pressure jets. This helps in pain reduction as well as relaxation.

Spas: Spas can involve baths, pools, showers . They are usually unsupervised and can be used for recreational
purpose.

Kneipp System: The Kneipp System – named after it’s designer, Father Sebastain Kneipp, uses different water
temperatures with herbal and mineral baths. This has various health benefits in addition to a purifying diet or
spiritual practice.
1. Water Circuit Therapy
Water circuit therapy is a type of hydrotherapy that combines multiple forms of water therapy.

As we explained in our previous article on the topic, a water circuit therapy session might look something like this:

 10-20 minutes in a hot tub to warm and massage tight muscles.

 10 minutes in a sauna to encourage sweating and increase circulation.
 10-20 minutes in a cool bath to bring down your body temperature.
 10 minutes in a cold bath to reduce pain, minimize inflammation and boost your mood.

Water circuit therapy is so effective because it combines two potent forms of therapy: cold water therapy and hot water
hydrotherapy therapy.

Cold water hydrotherapy is known for its ability to:

 Reduce muscle damage.

 Reduce inflammation.
 Relieve pain.
 Improve your mood.

By contrast, hot water hydrotherapy is known for its ability to:

 Relieve stress.
 Relax tight muscles and joints.
 Promote better sleep.
 Promote clearer skin.

2. Aquatic Exercise
With aquatic exercise, you reap the benefits of physical exercise without the impact of non-aquatic activity. This is especially
beneficial for people with arthritis, sore muscles and joints or injuries.

According to an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) titled “Health Benefits of Water-based
Exercise,” aquatic exercise is a great choice for:

 Older adults.
 People with chronic illnesses like arthritis.
 People with heart disease and diabetes.

Plus, the CDC reports that people enjoy exercising in the water more than they enjoy exercising on land.

To engage in aquatic exercise, you could practice hot tub yoga, consider purchasing a swim spa or do some basic exercises in
your pool or hot tub.

3. Aquatic Massage
Just as aquatic exercise is simply exercise that takes place in water, aquatic massage is a massage that takes place in water.

Many spas and health centers offer aquatic massage services, in which you float in a relaxing pool of water while a professional
masseuse gives you a therapeutic massage.

You can easily get an aquatic massage at home, though. All you’ll need is a hot tub, pool or bathtub and a willing volunteer.

If you have any injuries, however, it would be best to see a professional physical therapist before engaging in any aquatic
massage at home.

4. Steam Baths
Steam baths are a form of hydrotherapy that involve immersing yourself in steam rather than water.
According to an article published in Medical News Today, “What are the benefits of a steam room,” steam rooms have a variety
of advantages such as:

 Improved circulation. This can help to reduce blood pressure, promote heart health and encourage the skin to heal
 Better skin. Steam rooms cause users to sweat, which in turn works to wash away dirt and dead skin.
 Workout recovery. Moist heat, such as that found in a steam room, has been shown to reduce pain, preserve muscle
strength and relax tired muscles.
 Loosen stiff joints. Just like a normal pre-exercise warm-up, steam rooms can loosen stiff joints and decrease the
amount of force needed to move them. Plus, they can also help relieve joint pain, which can be great for people with
arthritis.
 Reduced stress. Last but not least, steam rooms can release endorphins and reduce stress. Since stress is known to
have adverse health effects, this may be beneficial to overall health, too.

5. Saunas
Although similar to steam baths, saunas differ in that they use dry heat rather than moist heat. Just like moist heat, dry heat is
associated with a number of health benefits.

According to a Medical News Today article titled “Sauna: Health benefits, risks and precautions,” saunas have been used for
thousands of years. Their benefits include:

 Pain relief. The dry heat of saunas can relax muscles and joints, thereby reducing pain from injuries, exercise or health
conditions like arthritis.
 Reduced stress. Just like steam rooms, the heat of saunas can help to release endorphins and lower stress levels.
 Better cardiovascular health. Research has found that frequent sauna users are less likely to experience cardiovascular
events like heart attacks, and even have a lower mortality rate. Saunas may also help to lower blood pressure and
improve heart function.
 Improved skin. Since saunas dry out the skin, people with conditions like psoriasis may see their skin improve.
However, Medical News Today reports that people with eczema may experience increased irritation.
 Asthma relief. People with asthma have reported relief from various symptoms. That’s because the heat of saunas can
help to open airways and loosen stubborn phlegm.

Plus, saunas have even been found to strengthen the immune system.

Hydrotherapy Treatment Benefits

Hydrotherapy is useful in the treatment of:

 Management of acute or chronic pain

 Rehabilitation for pre- and post-joint replacement surgery
 Relieve arthritis pain
 Improve muscle flexibility
 Improve range of motion
 Improve strength via resistance training
 Weight loss
 Reduce muscle spasm
 Fight fatigue
 Aid in relaxation and lower stress levels