Introduction

The term hydrotherapy, by definition, refers to the use of water in the treatment of disease or trauma. In a broad sense, hydrotherapy includes water treatment utilizing any of the three natural forms of water; solid, liquid or vapor. The most common technique for hydrotherapy involves the use of the small whirlpool tanks. These tanks permit immersion within the agitated water of one or more extremities or the patient may sit in the tub. Larger therapy units (e.g., a Hubbard tank), incorporating larger whirlpools, can accommodate both a patient and a therapist. This latter type is beneficial when passive exercise is indicated during treatment.

Dry Hydrotherapy Tables

Hydrotherapy tables are a technological advance over whirlpools and immersion water therapy. The effects are very similar but the patient remains dry. The patient lies back, completely clothed, on the surface of the table. Just under the surface is a mattress filled with heated water. A Jacuzzi® pump propels the water toward the patient through three patented hydro-jets. The pressure of the water against the patient's body provides the massage. Each jet spins at more than 200 revolutions per minute. A primary wave and a lighter secondary wave combine to produce a very effective deep tissue massage to all areas of the spine simultaneously. The therapy can be applied to nearly every part of the body simply by changing the patient's position on the table.

Flotation

Water is extremely buoyant. When the body is placed on the water mattress, there is minimal strain on the weight-bearing joints. Additionally, few if any muscles are required to hold the body up or in position. These two conditions combine to help the patient's body relax resulting in an increased physiologic response to treatment.

Heat

Water is an effective conductor of heat. As the patient is lying on the table's surface, heat is evenly conducted through the skin and into the muscles and soft tissues of the body. The heat increases blood and lymphatic circulation, increases metabolism and has a sedative effect.

Massage

The pressure of the water on the body increases venous and lymphatic flow. One of the effects of the resulting stimulation is increased molecular motion in the skin that may aid the healing process.

Hydromassage works out trigger points in the muscles, which are localized areas of hyperirritability that induce a cycle of spasm, pain, tension, weakness and limited range of motion in the joints.

Hydromassage focuses on the muscular system, the fascia, the circulatory and lymphatic systems or a combination of these body systems. Fascia is the connective tissue that attaches organs to organs, muscles to bones (tendons) and bones to bones (ligaments). The lymphatic system carries lymph, a clear or yellowish substance that flows throughout the body, filtering foreign matter and removing excess fluid, protein and waste products from the tissues and transporting them to the blood to be circulated and eliminated.

Effects of Warm Dry Hydrotherapy

The major physiologic effects of hydrotherapy can be summarized as follows:

Relaxes capillaries and other soft tissues; relieves pain and muscle spasm; increases circulatory and metabolic rates; increases blood volume and oxygen consumption; relieves pain of myositis and neuritis; soothes irritated cutaneous nerves; soothes nerves of visceral organs that are related reflexly with the area of skin that is warmed; promotion of tissue healing and repair; lessens general nervous sensibility; relaxes muscles; dilates blood vessels; relieves fatigue.