Introduction to Modern Hydrotherapy


History of Hydrotherapy Earliest Use of the Hot Tub Introduction to Modern Hydrotherapy Understanding the properties and characteristics of water Archimedes Principle Bougier's Theorem Bernoulli's Theorem Reynolds' Theorem Prantiti's Theorem Fronde-zahm's Experiments Pascal's Law Development of the human being against gravity: Bronze Age: Use of Hot Tubs, Spas and Saunas Bronze Age: Use of Hot tubs and Spas in the Mediterranean Bronze Age: Use of Hot Tubs, Saunas and Spas in Asia Classical Period: Use of Hot Tubs, Spas and Saunas Early Asian Baths Classical Period: Evolution of Asian Hot Tub Construction Classical Period: Use of Spas, Saunas and Hot Tubs in the Middle East Classical Period: Use of Spas, Saunas and Hot Tubs in Meso-America In Depth: Roman Hot Tub and Spa Construction During the Classical Period The Baths of Caracalla Construction of the Baths at Caracalla: Basic Design Construction of the Baths at Caracalla: Materials Construction of the Baths: Metals Classical Period: Use of Spas, Saunas and Hot Tubs in Scandinavia The origin of sauna Middle Ages Middle Ages: Use of Spas, Saunas and Hot Tubs Middle Ages: Use of Spas, Saunas and Hot Tubs in Scandinavia Middle Ages: Use of Spas, Saunas and Hot Tubs in Japan Middle Ages: Hot Tub Culture Middle Ages: Hot tub and Spa Culture in Asia Middle Ages: Hot tub and Spa Culture in Scandinavia Renaissance Period Renaissance Period: Use of Hot Tubs, Spas and Saunas Renaissance Period: Use of Hot Tubs, Spas and Saunas in France Renaissance Period: Hot tub and Spa Culture in Asia Industrial Age Industrial Age: American Use of Hot Tubs, Spas and Saunas Modern Age Modern Hot Tubs, Spas and Saunas Modern Hot Tub, Spa and Sauna Culture: Asia Modern Sauna Culture in Scandanavia Conclusion Sources Health & Beauty Benefits of Exercise in Water Application and Benefits of Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy in Neuropatients Hydrotherapy for the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases Hydrotherapy for the Treatment of Inflammatory Arthritis Muscle Weakness - Strength Training Poor Balance Poor Posture Decreased Cardiovascular Fitness Progressive Hydrotherapy Exercise Hydrotherapy gait reeducation treatment plan Wrist and Hand Joints Pelvis Knee reconstruction Cervical Spine Injury Lumbar Spine Injury Spinal Fractures Disc Pathology Musculo-Tendinous Injuries Hydrotherapy in the Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Stress Fractures Hydrotherapy for Treatment of the Lumbopelvic Complex Chronic pain - Pain and Muscle Spasm Oedema Decreased range of movement Head Injury Epilepsy Burns Pediatric Hydrotherapy Head control Breathing control Relaxation through Hydrotherapy Juvenile Chronic Arthritis Hydrotherapy for the Clumsy Child Conclusion		Introduction to Modern Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy as a modality for rehabilitation has a long history and is as important today as it was in the past. With the current upsurge in the popularity of hydrotherapy physiotherapists are encouraged to use water, making the most of its unique properties. Hydrotherapeutic techniques must be learnt and new ideas explored and developed. Water is fun! The majority of people enjoy water and it is an integral part of life. Water allows us all to achieve marvelous feats of movement that can be performed on land only with difficulty if at all. New knowledge regarding the physiology of hydrotherapy and new techniques using patterns of movement adapted to water and more water-specific exercises are ensuring that Hydrotherapy is becoming increasingly accepted as a medium for rehabilitation in its own right. To go into water - one of only two environments available to the human - is a unique experience. Here the body is simultaneously acted upon by two forces, gravity (downthrust) and buoyancy (upthrust) providing us with the possibility of three dimensional exercise not available in the medium of air, and makes possible movement and non-weight bearing exercises before they are possible on dry land. Greater awareness of the advantages of activity in water, has resulted in increased numbers of hydrotherapy facilities, and physiotherapists are becoming increasingly knowledgeable and skilled in the application of hydrotherapy techniques as an adjunct to general fitness and performance. The uniqueness of water lies mainly in its buoyancy, which relieves stress on weight bearing joints and permits movement to take place within reduced gravitational forces, thus non-weight-bearing activities can be countenanced before they are possible on land. The physiological effects of exercise combined with those brought about by the warmth of the water are one of the advantages of activity in this medium. The outcome of immersion in warm water is similar in adults as children and is related to body temperature, circulation and the severity of exercise, with variations allowing for size, health and condition. The body possesses mechanisms for regulating its heat, and the maintenance of balance between the production of heat and heat loss. A distinction has to be made between the core temperature of the body and that of the periphery, but under standard conditions body temperature remains remarkably constant. Fine dermal changes in body temperature do occur throughout the day and vary across different parts he body. Factors such as exercise, emotional disturbance and extremes of environmental temperatures may affect it, as well as age.