Hydrotherapy at Home
Written by Bob Bovee Wednesday, 22 June 2011 00:00
Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is a popular and accessible means of injury recovery. Water therapy includes any modality that uses water for injury treatment -- including the simple shower or bath.
Under the umbrella of hydrotherapy are various types of showers and baths, spas that have air or water jets, and, of course,swimming or exercising in the pool.
Yet even a simple shower can exhibit both a temperature effect and a mechanical effect on the body. For example, a prolonged, hot shower reduces the excitability of the sensory and motor nerves and can intensify the metabolic processes of the body. In comparison, a warm shower can lead to a soothing effect on the body and lead to relaxation.
An opposite effect can be achieved from what is known as a contrast shower. This type of shower consists of taking a hot shower for approximately one minute, with a water temperature of 100 - 102 degrees Fahrenheit. This is followed by a 5- to 10-second cold shower with a water temperature of 54 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue altering the water temperature for five to seven minutes. This type of shower can improve muscle tone and improve circulation of the cardiovascular system.
Alternatively, a hot water bath with a water temperature of 101 - 103 degrees Fahrenheit can help promote a rapid recovery of strength following a workout. This type of bath should be taken either soon after a workout or in the evening.
After a few hours of having using heat baths, most athletes report an improved sense of well being, greater strength, a feeling of freshness, good mood, competitive desire, courage, removal of fatigue and increased energy. These positive feelings are due in part to an increased secretion of metabolic products with a restoration of other metabolic substances.
Other beneficial effects from heat baths occur in the higher nerve centers and in biochemical processes of muscle contractions. Blood circulation in the skin improves and this in turn will help the underlying muscles to relax.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Ask a Therapist: Chris Gellert
 |
Our Resident Physical Therapist Chris Gellert helps you with your client issues |
Current Topic: Human Movement Training: The Upper Body Triad, Pt. 1
Health
-
Hypertension: The Silent Killer Millions of people have it and many don't even know it. It's hypertension,...
-
Over-the-Counter Overdose Most serious strength-training athletes are well acquainted with the phenomenon...
Nutrition
-
Using the Glycemic Index There are numerous benefits to maintaining an even blood sugar level. One...
-
Deciphering Food Labels For any weight management program to be successful, one should learn the...
-
Bad Habits that Hamper Training How many bad habits have you picked up that could wreck your training...
-
Proper Breathing During Workouts Let's talk a moment about proper breathing. It may seem a little silly...
-
Grow Your Business or Move On Recently I got a call from a stand-out young man inviting me to his senior...
-
A Blurred Line between Health & Fitness We normally think of health clubs as symbols of wellness. Similarly, we...
nfpt
National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) is proud to power PersonalTrainerToday.com. For over 23 years, NFPT has provided certification with a strong foundation and believes in continuing to educate certified trainers and fitness enthusiasts on the latest industry news and educational resources.
