Water Therapy

Water is the natural solvent for most of the things and gives natural remedies to many of the diseases. Water therapy is an alternative therapy that is used very widely now a day. Water is indeed one of the fundamental elements for a healthy body and also for a glowing skin. Each function of the body is very much regulated and dependent on water, which further affirms that water is indeed necessary to carry important vitamins, hormones, chemicals and oxygen to almost all the parts of the body. Water is therefore the most important thing that is consumed to give many beneficial results.

Water therapy was practiced from ancient time to heal the diseased people. In many prehistoric cultures like ancient Rome, China and Japan, the hydrotherapy and hydrothermal therapy were common practice that have been used for the treatment of the disease. In ancient India even water therapy has been regarded as one of the most sought after therapeutic treatment. This remarkable water therapy originates from ancient Ayurvedic medicine. In Sanskrit, the name for the practice is "Usha Paana Chikitsa" which means "early morning water treatment".

Even today water therapy is widely accepted in the area of alternative medicine. When somebody wants to follow a fitness routine or achieve a health goal, drinking proper amount of water is always necessary.

Benefits that can be gained with the help of water therapy are as follows:
• Helps detoxify body through sweat and urine
• Helps to get glowing and healthy skin
• Helps maintain body temperature
• Help expelling waste products from the body
• Water therapy helps to control anaemia, rheumatism, general paralysis, obesity, arthritis, sinusitis, tachycardia, giddiness, cough, leukaemia, bronchitis, meningitis, hyper acidity, dysentery, gastroenteritis, uterus cancer, rectal prolapse, eye-disease, ophthalmic haemorrhage, irregular menstruation, laryngitis, headache and many other diseases.
• Helps control constipation in 1 day, acidity in 2 days, diabetes in 7 days, cancer in 4 weeks, pulmonary tuberculosis in 3 months, gastric in 10 days and high blood pressure and hypertension in 4 weeks.
• It improves energy, tones muscles and helps in weight loss.
• It transports nutrients and regulates body temperature and allows for proper digestion.
• It also alleviates migraine headaches, high blood cholesterol, asthma allergies and high blood pressure.

Water Therapy for Weight Loss : Water therapy for weight loss has gained a lot of popularity in the recent past. If anybody is trying to lose weight, water intake is important, as it"s good for digestion and prevents overeating. If one is not getting plenty of water, he/she will eat more to satisfy their body"s craving for water. Water mobilizes and reduces the amount of fat deposit. A natural appetite suppressant, developing a good water drinking habit can be a long-term aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

The common water temperature chart used for water therapy is as follows:
Cold: 10 degree C to 18 degree C
Neutral: 32 degree C to 36 degree C and
Hot: 40 degree C to 45 degree C.
It should be noted that above 45 degree C, water loses its therapeutic value and is destructive. Let us discuss the usage of water in various therapeutic treatments.

1. Cold Compress: This is a local application using a cloth, which has been wrung out in cold water; One just has to place essential aroma oils in 100 mI. cold water with six ice cubes in a bowl and use the cold compress. The cloth should be folded into a broad strip and dipped in cold water or ice water. Cold Compresses are used for headaches, sprains, inflammation, fever, swollen bumps, burns, blisters, sore feet, rashes, measles, chicken pox, sunburn or a hangover.

2. Enema: An enema involves the injection of fluid into the rectum and is also known as rectal irrigation, where only lukewarm water is used for cleaning the bowels, since it not only the safest system for cleaning the bowels, but also improves the peristalic movement of the bowels and thereby relieves constipation. In this form of nature cure treatment, the patient is made to lie on his left side extending his left leg and bending the right leg slightly. The enema nozzle, lubricated with oil or Vaseline, is inserted in the rectum. The enema can, containing the lukewarm water is then slowly raised and water is allowed to enter into the rectum. Generally, one to two litre of water is injected. The patient may either lie down on his back or walk a little while retaining the water. After five to 10 minutes, the water can be ejected along with the accumulated morbid matter.

3. Heating Compress: This is a cold compress covered in such a manner as to bring warmth. It consists of three or four folds of linen cloth wrung out in cold water, which is then covered completely with dry flannel or blanket to prevent the circulation of air and help accumulation of body heat. The duration of the application is determined by the extent and location of the surface involved, the nature and thickness of the coverings and the water temperature; it is sometimes applied for several hours. The area should be rubbed with a wet cloth after removing the compress and then dried with a towel. A heating compress can be applied to the following organs of the body:
i. Throat Compress: It relieves sore throat, hoarseness, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis.
ii. Chest Compress: Also known as chest pack; relieves cold, bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, fever and cough.
iii. Abdomen Compress: It helps those suffering from gastritis, hyperacidity, , jaundice, constipation, diarrhoea, dysentery and other ailments relating to the abdominal organs.
iv. Joints Compress: It is helpful for inflamed joints, rheumatism, rheumatic fever and sprains.

4. Hip Bath:This mode of treatment involves only the hips and the abdominal region below the navel for which a special type of tub is used. The tub is filled with water in such a way that it covers the hips and reaches upto the navel when the patient sits in it. Four to six gallons of water is required generally for the bath and a support may be placed under one edge to elevate it by two or three inches.

5. Spinal Bath: Another important form of hydrotherapic treatment is the spinal bath. This bath provides a soothing effect to the spinal column and thereby influences the central nervous system. It is given in a specially designed tub with its back raised so as to provide proper support to the head. The bath can be administered at cold, neutral and hot temperatures. The water level in the tub should be an inch and a half to two inches and the patient should lie in it for three to 10 minutes.

6. Full Wet Sheet Pack: This is a procedure in which the whole body is wrapped in a wet sheet, which in turn is wrapped in a dry blanket for regulating evaporation. The blanket should be spread on the bed with its edges hanging over the edge of the bed. The upper end should be about eight inches from the head of the bed. Then spread a linen sheet wrung out in cold water over the blanket so that its end is slightly below the upper end of the blanket. The patient should lie on the bed sheet with his shoulders about three inches below the upper edge. The wet sheet should be quickly wrapped round the body of the patient, drawn in, tightly tucked between the legs and also between the body and the arms. The sheet should be folded over the shoulders and across the neck.

Now the blanket should be drawn tightly around the body and tucked in along the side in a similar manner, pulling it tightly. The ends should be doubled up at the feet. A turkish towel should be placed below the chin to protect the face and neck from coming into contact with the blanket and to exclude outside air more effectively. The head should be covered with a wet cloth so that the scalp remains cold. The feet should be kept warm during the entire treatment. If the patient`s feet are cold, place hot water bottles near them to hasten reaction. The pack is administered for half an hour to one hour till the patient begins to perspire profusely. He may be given cold or hot water to drink.

Warm Water Therapy: Warm water helps dilate the blood vessels to improve circulation and bring about pain relief. Water therapy is considered a natural cure for arthritis. People with asthma also benefit greatly with water therapy. It also reduces constriction in the bronchioles and also enhances the endurance of the entire respiratory system. One can also improve lung capacity and clear mucus from the respiratory system with the help of the therapy. There is a detox water therapy diet and water therapy for skin which may be beneficial as well. Thus hot and cold water could be used as a water therapy depending on the kind of condition to be treated.

It has long been known that drinking water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach purifies the body"s internal system. An especially important result of this treatment is that it cleanses the colon, which makes the body much more able to absorb nutrients from food. The technique of water therapy is very easy simply by maintaining following steps:
• One should take 6 glasses of water or 1.5 litres of water early in the morning in an empty stomach without taking breakfast or eating any thing.
• Each glass of water should be taken at a stretch.
• After drinking the water, urinate 6 times in the first hour of the therapy.
• One should go to the washroom in every 10 minutes, without any delay.
• After this one glass of lukewarm water should be taken with few drops of lemon added to it to increase the taste.
• Now one should wait for 15 minutes before taking the breakfast.
• Same schedule should be followed at night before going to bed.

There are certain things that should be kept in mind; otherwise the results of water therapy will not be all that satisfactory. The routine cannot be broken for about 3 months. Someone might feel the sensation of vomiting but this is absolutely normal and no need to visit the doctor. During this water therapy, high-cholesterol food cannot be consumed. Along with this therapy at least 8-12 glasses of water should be taken throughout the day. If water therapy is continued in this way, it will definitely give one beneficial results.

Too much of a good thing can also pose harm. This is true in the case of water therapy also. When water intake is not controlled while undergoing water therapy it may cause danger. It is because the body has limited capacity of throwing the excessive water. If this limit is crossed, body can face critical condition known as water poisoning or hyper hydration. This can expose a human body to the risk of brain damage or heart failure.

So to avoid any risk one should always consult professional or doctors before undergoing any such therapy. It is important to know the pros and cons of any treatment, diet or therapy that one plans to take up. Practice water therapy according to given instructions and avoid overdoing it.