Three Advantages of Simple Three Advantages of Simple Home RemediesHome Remedies

• They are simple - can be done with a

minimum of expense and training

• They can be done at home - a far safer

and more welcome place than a hospital

• They are remedial - meaning they work

without the adverse side effects of drugs

Why Use Water?Why Use Water?• Inexpensive• Readily available• Versatile• Ease of application• Non-toxic and safe• Easily controlled• It works!

Hydrotherapy is...Hydrotherapy is...

SolidSolid

LiquidLiquidGasGas

Physiological EffectsPhysiological Effects

Important Important ConsiderationsConsiderations

• H eated - Not too hot, not too cold

• E quipment - Have everything ready

• L ights - No bright lights in the eyes

• P rotect - Leave room neat and clean

• E xplain - Tell them what you’re doing

• D raft-free - Don’t chill the patient

Local Effects of WaterLocal Effects of Water

• Cold– Deep penetration– Slows circulation– Slows metabolism– Has numbing effect

• Heat– Shallow penetration– Speeds circulation– Increases metabolism– Encourages perspiring

• ContrastLocal circulation greatly stimulated

Reflex Effects of Reflex Effects of Prolonged HeatProlonged Heat

• To abdominal wall -- decreases intestinal blood flow, motility, and acid secretions in the stomach

• To pelvis -- Relaxes musculature, dilates blood vessels, increases menstrual flow

• Over heart -- Increases heart rate, decreases heart force, lowers blood pressure

• To trunk -- Relaxes uterus and bile ducts, relieves renal and gallbladder colic

• To kidneys and over abdomen -- Increases urine production

Short Cold• Given to head, face, and hands - increases

mental alertness

• Over heart area - Increases heart rate

Alternate hot & cold• Stimulates related tissues and organs

Effects on CirculationEffects on Circulation

Effects of Hot & ColdEffects of Hot & Cold

VasodilationVasodilation

NormalNormal

VasoconstrictionVasoconstriction

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Very hot Hot Neutral Tepid Cool Cold

CelsiusCelsius

Heating CompressHeating Compress• Phase 1 - Cold

– Vasoconstriction– Increased heart rate– Increased

respiratory rate– Decreased

metabolism

• Phase 2 - Heat– Vasodilation– Pulse rate rises– Slight drop in blood

pressure– Increased sweating– Oxygen consumption

increased

Skin Temperature during Skin Temperature during Heating CompressHeating Compress

33.3oC

37.7oC+

Wet Sheet PackWet Sheet Pack• Regulate heating and cooling of

body to control temperature• Cool a heated body• Heat the body to sweating• Quiet nervous system• Relieve internal congestion

Hot Foot BathHot Foot Bath• Local & reflex increase in

blood flow through feet and skin surface decongesting internal organs and brain

• General warming of the body• Relaxation and comfort• Treatment for local

inflammation of feet

Hot Tub BathHot Tub Bath• Increase peripheral circulation

• Increase metabolism

• Increase perspiration

• Elevate body temperature

• Relieve pain, stiffness, fatigue

• Relieve congestion of internal organs

Contrast BathsContrast Baths• Alternate contraction

and dilation of blood vessels

• Increase blood flow locally and reflexively

• Increase metabolism and oxidation

• Hastens healing

Contrast BathsContrast Baths

39.4oC

40.5oC

41.6oC

42.7oC

43.3oC45.5oC

7-21oC

Hot for 3-4 minutesCold for 1/2-1 minutes

Neutral Tub BathNeutral Tub Bath

• To relax the body

• Sedate the nervous system

• Provide sedation for patient with diseases of the heart and blood vessels who cannot tolerate hot and cold treatments

Short Cold BathShort Cold Bath• Pulse and pulse pressure increased• Neuromuscular transmission more effective• Respiration increases• Muscle tone increases• Skin toned up• Metabolism increases• RBC’s, WBC’s, Hemoglobin increase• Urine production increases• Constipation relieved

Steam InhalationSteam Inhalation• Relieve congestion &

inflammation• Relieve throat irritation• Relieve spasmodic breathing• Loosen secretions• Relax muscles• Mucous membranes moist

Russian Steam BathRussian Steam Bath• Increase body temperature• Increase metabolism• Induce sweating• Increase pulse rate• Increase blood pressure• Cause peripheral vasodilation• Increase leukocytosis

Hot FomentationsHot Fomentations• Increase body temperature

• Dilate blood vessels to relieve congestion and increase circulation

• Relax tension of nerves supplying affected area

Cold Mitten FrictionCold Mitten Friction

• Stimulate skin’s circulation

• Reduce a fever

• Increase WBC activity and antibody production

• Stimulate neuromuscular tone

• Increase rate of blood flow

• Vasomotor tonic

Cold CompressCold Compress• Decrease blood flow locally and

distally

• Prevent and relieve congestion

• Pain relief due to edema and/or trauma

• Over heart: slows heart rate, increases the force, raises arterial blood pressure

Ice MassageIce Massage

• Relieve Pain

• Increase muscle tone

• Stimulate nerves

• Stimulate peripheral circulation

Ice PackIce Pack• Relieve pain• Prevent edema• Decrease blood flow• Decrease local metabolism• Reduce nerve response• Vasoconstriction

Salt GlowSalt Glow• Provide increased

vasodilation without

heating or cooling

• Stimulate circulation

• Increase nerve activity

Sitz BathSitz Bath• Cold sitz stimulates contraction of

pelvic blood vessels, uterus, and bowel musculature

• Alternate hot and cold sitz produces fluxion

• Neutral sitz is a sedative

• Slurry 1-5 Tbs./ glass of water

• Tablets or Capsules

• Paste in Poultices

• Poisoning

• Nausea, vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stomach ache

• Peptic Ulcers

Charcoa

l

Charcoa

l

• Easy to take

• Convenient when traveling

• Tablets for sore throat

Venomous bites

and stings

Infections

Skin irritation

Bruises

Detoxification

Charcoa

l

Backaches

Headaches

Foot rubs

Fevers

Hypertension

Sedation

Painful menstruation

Mental illness

Heel spurs

Heel cups

Tennis elbow band

Back brace

Steam inhalation

General EffectsGeneral Effects• Cold

– Decreases Metabolism– Decreases respiration– Decreases heart rate– Lowers temperature– Slows circulation– Dulls sensation– Promotes sluggishness

• Heat– Increases metabolism– Increases respiration– Increases heart rate– Increases leukocytes– Increases neutrophils– Increases blood volume– Prompts perspiration

Effects of Prolonged Effects of Prolonged Cold - 1Cold - 1

• Over abdomen - Increases intestinal blood flow and motility and stomach acid

• To pelvic area - Stimulates muscles of pelvis• Over heart - Slows heart rate, increases stroke

volume• To skin over nose, back of neck & hands -

Contraction of nasal blood vessels• Over acutely inflamed joints - Vasoconstriction,

pain relief, encourages healing

Effects of Prolonged Effects of Prolonged Cold - 2Cold - 2

• Over acute trauma (sprains & bruises) - Vasoconstriction, reduces swelling and pain

• Over trunk of artery -

• To skin of scalp and hands - Contracts blood vessels of the brain

• To thyroid - Contracts blood vessels and decreases function

Intrinsic EffectsIntrinsic Effects• Cold - prolonged

– Functions slowed or depressed

– Respiration & pulse slowed – Circulation slowed– Tactile sensation blunted– Muscles move sluggishly– Digestion slowed or stopped– Body temperature lowered

• Heat - short– Quickens circulation

– Increases pulse

– Quickens respiration

– Speeds digestion

– Muscles quicker and more active

– Skin sensation more perceived

Reactionary EffectsReactionary Effects• Cold - Short

– Heart rate increased– Circulation

increased– Nerves tingle– Rapid respiration– Muscles increased

contractile force

• Heat - Prolonged– Muscles less

contractile– Heart beats rapidly– Heart force

decreased– Peripheral

circulation slowed

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

Very Hot Hot Neutral Tepid Cool Cold

FahrenheitFahrenheit

Skin Temperature during Skin Temperature during Heating CompressHeating Compress

92oF

100oF+

Contrast BathsContrast Baths

103oF

105oF

107oF

109oF

110oF114oF

45-70oF

Hot for 3-4 minutes

Cold for 1/2-1 minutes