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*Good health is a natural human state |
Hydrotherapy is a healing treatment method first used by Hippocrates. Skillfully applied aquatherapy affects the circulation of the blood and the lymph and the sensations produced by the numerous nerve endings in the skin. Water temperature and duration of the treatment vary depending on the condition being treated and cause different effects on the body particularly whether the application is general or local in character. The body reaction may be either stimulating or sedating to the circulatory system, the nervous system, and the eliminatory process. Individually selected and recommended for children with motor disorders and developmental delays associated with cerebral palsy hydrotherapy includes baths (hot, warm, cold, saline, herbal), contrast sitz hip baths, cold foot baths, cold friction rubs, cold body wrap, cold arm wrap and cold leg wrap. Water treatments are ideal for home use because they require no special equipment being cheap, easy and effective.
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Cold applications are valuable in improving the circulation, stimulating the nerves, and awakening the functional activity of body cells. |
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Moderately warm applications have a relaxing effect on the blood vessels, muscles and nerves, and promote the functional activity of body cells. |
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Long and continued hot applications increase all skin functions and cause profuse sweating. |
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Saline (salt) bath: A saline bath, at the temperature of 90o to 94o F, produces a marked tonic effect by stimulating the circulation. |
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Herbal bath: Fresh made herbal infusions and decoctions used for herbal baths can enhance the feeling of pleasure and comfort from bath by their odor. There are different kinds of herbal baths for children with cerebral palsy, perinatal encephalopathy and developmental delays. For example, valerian bath, lavender bath and bath with pine needles are sedative and calming for nervous system, good for nervous debility; calamus bath is useful for developmental delay and stimulates the circulation. |