What is Constitutional Hydrotherapy?
Constitutional hydrotherapy is traditional naturopathic treatment that employs the healing power of water to greatly improve recovery from a broad range of acute and chronic conditions. This method has been used for centuries to enhance circulation, promote healing and immune support. A series of contrasting hot & cold towels are applied to the chest, abdomen and back with gentile electrical stimulation used to further enhance the benefits of this treatment.
Treatment Goals
Health and vitality is proportional to the quantity and quality of blood flow through the organs and tissues. Compromised blood flow may result in accumulation of toxins and waste causing dysfunction contributing to disease. Constitutional hydrotherapy utilizes the effects of water temperature to optimize circulation while balancing the nervous system. This manipulation of blood and lymph flow allows for enhanced delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells and removal of waste products from the organs and tissues, restoring balance to the vital organs. Constitutional therapy not only optimizes quantity of blood flow, but also to major organs of the body, optimizing quality of blood as well.
Who Can Benefit From Constitutional Hydrotherapy?
Because of its ability to gently increase circulation and nutrient delivery, constitutional hydrotherapy has a wide application. It has been observed to be particularly helpful for:
Respiratory issues -asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia
Digestive problems -IBS, Crohn's, colitis
Infectious disease -cold/flu, Lyme, EBV
Women’s health -PMS, dysmenorrhea, infertility
Immune issues -multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
This therapy is not appropriate for those with acute bladder infection, acute asthma episode, high fever, or temperature less than 97º F.
Constitutional Hydrotherapy At Home
Although there are many details and nuances to administering constitutional hydrotherapy, a safe, simplified version can be done at home. It is recommended to have two people-a giver and a receiver, as this time should be as restful to the receiver as possible. (nervous system down-regulation FTW)
You will need:
1 blanket (traditionally wool, full size or larger)
1 sheet
2 hand towels (1 cold & 1 hot )
Slow-cooker & thermal gloves OR microwave
Bowl of ice water (large enough to submerge hand towel)
Prepare hot & cold towels by submerging one towel in the bowl of cold ice water. For hot towel, choose your warming method:
Microwave Method- Wet the second towel, wring it out and pop in the microwave (+-30 seconds at a time until hot, but not too hot to handle. Use caution and let cool if too hot!)
Slow Cooker Method- Fill the slow cooker with enough warm water to cover the towel and turn on low. Once warm, use thermal gloves to pull the towel from the hot water and wring it out.
Set up a comfortable place to have the receiver lay down (ideally) near your cold water bowl and heating method. The receiver will lay down over the blanket with the sheet over them.
Starting with a warm towel, drape over the front of the torso and wrap the blanket like a cocoon loosely around the receiver. After about 5 minutes or until close to body temperature, remove the towel and apply the wrung-out cold towel in its place. Re-wrap the cocoon and leave the cold towel in place for about 10 minutes or until close to body temperature. This process can be repeated 2-3 times on each chest and back. Always begin with the warm towel and end with the cool towel, allowing each towel to come back to body temperature before switching out.
This versatile therapy is a low cost, yet effective way to support immune and overall health. With about one hour, an extra set of hands, and these common household items, you can implement this ancient healing therapy and support the wellness of your loved ones at home! Does this process still sound like too much to take on? Try an even simpler at-home hydrotherapy treatment- Magic socks! We also provide constitutional hydrotherapy treatments as a service at BodywoRx Center. Schedule an appointment and have our experienced provider do the work for you so you can focus your energy on healing.
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