Hydrotherapy schools train practitioners who are interested in alternative health methods, and there are many schools that teach the modern applications and practices of hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy involves the use of hot and cold water for soothing pains and treating diseases, and it is perhaps the oldest form of medical treatment. Ancient Egyptian royalty used hydrotherapy bathing with essential oils and flowers, while Asians and Romans preferred communal hot water bathing. Hot water springs have long been accepted as healthy solutions to relieving pain and increasing circulation. Today, hydrotherapy is used to treat arthritis, burns, muscular-skeletal pain and paralysis, anxiety, fatigue, infertility, and insomnia, among other conditions and diseases.

Most often, hydrotherapy consists of applications of hot and cold water for stimulating muscle tissue, internal organs, and the blood and lymph circulatory systems. Heat quiets and soothes the body, slows the activity of internal organs, relieves muscle tension and anxiety. Cold hydrotherapy increases internal activity, stimulating and invigorating muscle tissue, organs, and circulation.

Hydrotherapy practitioners may bathe local regions with hot or cold water applied to the feet, the head, any areas where pain and inflammation are a problem. Localized hydrotherapy sometimes uses flowing water as a soothing or stimulating agent, and compresses of evaporative moisture can be used to reduce inflammations and fever. Immersing the body in water pools or sitting in a whirlpool produces a kind of weightlessness, relieving the body of gravity.

Another ancient practice that has regained popularity is colonic hydrotherapy, or colonic irrigation, which consists of flushing the lower digestive tract with warm water. Theoretically, colon health affects the entire body, and colonics is used to relieve congestion, alleviate pain, tone body tissue, relax nerves, and enhance overall wellbeing.

If you are interested in learning more about Hydrotherapy Schools and programs of study, search our site for more in-depth information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

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