You know those expensive spas that offer hot and cold-water treatments? They're great, but who can afford them these days!?  O

Our favorite Homeopathic Doctor, Bryce Wylde, is back to show us how we can get the same therapeutic results at home.  Here are some great ways to treat anything from insomnia to arthritis using that wonderful clear liquid - Water.

Watch Episode 177 now.



What is Hydrotherapy:

The working theory of hydrotherapy is that health, and therefore healing, is proportional to normal flow of healthy blood and lymph. Specifically, this refers to the quantity and the quality of blood flowing through a given tissue.  In some cases, the goal is to increase circulation, and in other cases reduce circulation.  In many cases, we also seek to improve the quality of blood in circulation by co-administration of homeopathic medicines. The medical-mechanical model of hydrotherapy acknowledges the effects of water temperature on circulation eg. that hot water will help relax a tight muscle or that an ice pack can limit the swelling of a sprained ankle, but that is a limited concept.  In natural medicine, we believe that enhancing blood flow and its constituents through the organs of elimination such as the skin, liver, kidney, and bowels, detoxification and therefore improvement of blood quality, takes place. (Timing of application, location, and temperature of that application all matter.)

Application hydrotherapy

Indication:

Method:

You can use hot/cold water compresses, alternating hot/cold applications for low back pain.  If you have a headache try Ice packs on feet or even your neck for nose bleeds and immediately after a bump to prevent bruising


Immersion bath Hydrotherapy

Indications:

Method:

In certain cases in alt-med we would actually sit someone up to their neck in a hot and then cold bath alternating - hence "sits bath". The same effect is achieved with an affected limb. You could use feet and ankles to give example of how this can help swollen legs and poor circulation and arms/hands to exemplify improved circulation for arthritis, pain and swelling, and circulation enhancement.

In either case, place the effected limb in hot water for 2 minutes, then cold for 30 seconds.  Repeat the process several times and you'll be astonished with the results.


Russian Steam bath Hydrotherapy

Do not do this exercise if you suffer from:

Indications:

Method:
Wrap yourself in 2 cotton sheets and a wool blanket, place a steaming kettle under a chair and sit for 5-15 minutes.  You'll immediately feel relaxed and the steam will detoxify your system.

Wet sock Hydrotherapy

Indications:

Method:
Using a pair of wet cotton socks and dry wool socks overtop - hanging OUT of the covers - at night (and all night or until dry) to induce a counter circulation. This may sound gross, but IT WORKS!

Cold Water Stomping/marching Hydrotherapy

Indication:

Method:
Using bathtub/shower/big bucket filled 2 inches of very cold water stomp around for 2-3 minutes, your headache will disappear.