International Aquatic History Symposium and Film Festival 2012

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A Historical Overview of Aquatic Therapeutic Uses in the Western Civilizations

1Zaharias Vlantis, 2,3,4Stathis Avramidis, 5,6Emmanouel Velonakis, 5,6Alkiviadis Vatopoulos 1Akmi Metropolitan College (Greece); 2Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Greece); 3Leeds Metropolitan University (UK); 4The Lifesaving Foundation (Ireland); 5National School of Public Health (Greece); Central Laboratory of Public Health (Greece) Introduction: The use of water as a medical treatment, and as an alternative supplementary means of rehabilitation, is as old as mankind (Bender et al., 2004). The aim of this article is to provide a historical overview of aquatic therapy in various periods of history. Method: Using the key words 'aquatic therapy', 'spa', 'whirlpool', 'balneotherapy' and 'rehabilitation', in academic databases (i.e., Sport Discus and Medline) and libraries, we identified a number of journal articles and books (n=24). In terms of a time frame, our search covered the evolution of aquatic therapy since antiquity until today (see Sprawson, 1992; Maggioros, 2009). Discussion: We identified a remarkable evidence of aquatic therapy methods in various periods of history. Ancient Greek Period (460 370 B.C.): In Homeric times baths served mainly as washing facilities (e.g., Sorceress Circe offered to Odysseus a bath as a friendly gesture to honor her visitor), whereas in Hippocrates times, hydrotherapy flourished as a helpful means of healing. Roman Period: The therapeutic use of baths continued to be popular during the Roman imperial period because it was freely available and the baths were considered as a pleasant destination. Byzantium-Middle Ages: This period, the use of hydrotherapy declined because of religious moral oppositions. During the 17-18th centuries an organized and scientific approach was commenced to identify the chemical components that make some aquatic areas more beneficial than others. Nineteenth- Twentieth Century: The scientific interest of the previous period continues. The water temperature and its chemical metals emerge as important variables. It is revealed that therapeutic whirlpools, provide various therapeutic benefits (e.g., arthritis, cardiological problems etc.) depending on their different components. Contemporary Period (21st century -today): The use of water as means of therapy, rehabilitation and recreation is popular internationally. Today, the focus has turned from the temperature and the chemical composition to the other qualities of water (e.g., buoyancy, turbulence, resistance movement, hydrostatic pressure etc.), as well as its microbiological quality, simulating the natural environment with therapeutic opportunities in indoor and outdoor settings (Bender, Balint & Balint, 2002). Summary: Water was a popular means in classical medicine. There was a conscious appreciation of the advantages of mineral and thermal springs on people's health. Spas attracted people who swam or stood immersed to treat various diseases. Water was and is still used as a source of pleasure, recreation, maintenance and promotion of body/mental health (Jackson, 1990).

References Bender, T., Balint, P.V., & Balint, G.P. (2002). A brief history of spa therapy. Annals of the

Rheumatic Diseases, 61, 949-950. doi:10.1136/ard.61.10.949 Bender, T., Karagulle, Z., Balind, G.P., Gutenbrunner, C., Balint, P.V., & Sukenin, S. (2004).

Hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa treatment in pain management. Rheumatology International, 10.1007/s00296-004-0487-4.

Maggioros, D.P. (2009). Acupancture and other methods of selftreatment. Athens, Greece: Author.

Jackson, R. (1990). Water and spas in the classical world. Medical History, 10, 1-13. Sprawson, C. (1992). Haunts of the Black Masseur: The Swimmer as Hero. Minnesota, USA:

University Of Minnesota Press.