As the name implies, hydrotherapy is one of the methods of physiotherapy, the main healing factor of which is water. It includes 2 directions: hydro- and balneotherapy. Hydrotherapy involves the use of fresh water in the form of showers, baths, douches, and so on, while balneotherapy is based on the use of mineral waters, natural springs or artificially prepared waters for therapeutic purposes.
This method has been widely used in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Some of its varieties, indications and contraindications for therapy with them will be discussed in our article.
A shower is a type of hydrotherapy in which the patient's body is affected by jets of water of different pressure, temperature and shape. It is used both for the purpose of hygiene and as a method of treatment / prevention of a number of diseases.
For a therapeutic shower, a special shower pulpit is required. Classify this type of hydrotherapy depending on the form (to be discussed below), temperature and pressure.
By temperature, they distinguish:
- hot (40°C and above);
- warm (37-39°C) - soothes, reduces pain and vasospasm, lowers blood pressure, accelerates the resorption of infiltrates, improves tissue nutrition, makes the skin more elastic and supple; the session lasts, as a rule, 10-15 minutes;
- indifferent (34-36°С);
- cool (from 20 to 30°C);
- cold (less than 20 ° C) - this and the previous type of showers tone and harden the human body, reducing its sensitivity to colds and viral diseases, as well as activate blood flow, stimulate metabolic processes, increase efficiency, and normalize the emotional status of the patient; they are short-term - the duration of the procedure is only a few minutes, the water temperature decreases gradually, as the patient's body adapts to its changes, from 33-34 to 15-16 ° C;
- contrast shower (at the same time, the patient's body is alternately exposed to cold (for 20-60 s) and hot (2-2.5-3 minutes) water; the number of alternations is 3-6) - this procedure greatly tones the body, increases its resistance to the impact of adverse external factors, activates metabolic processes, microcirculation, improves tissue nutrition.
According to the pressure exerted by a jet of water on the patient's body, souls are divided into:
- high pressure showers (3-4 at);
- souls of medium pressure (1.5-2 atm);
- low pressure showers (0.3-1 atm).
Let's take a closer look at their individual types.
Rain, needle and dust showers
These are low pressure souls. The most common rain shower. Its essence lies in the fact that a huge amount of jets of water penetrates through a special mesh, then falling on the patient's body.
A needle shower is similar to a rain shower, but the mesh for it has long metal tubes with a clearance of up to 1 mm; water passes through them and falls on the patient's body in sharp thin streams.
A dust shower is obtained using a special ball-shaped device. Water passes through it and is sprayed, covering the patient with very small drops, as if dust.
Circular shower
This is a medium pressure shower. To get it, use a special installation. It consists of a system of pipes fixed vertically, having many holes in the inner side. Horizontal jets of water hit the patient's body, toning the central nervous system, stimulating peripheral receptors. The water temperature at the same time is 25-36 ° C, the duration of the session is 3-5 minutes. Procedures are carried out every day, with a course of up to 20.
Sharko shower
This is the impact on the patient's body with a high-pressure jet of water, supplied from a distance of about 3 m. It is alternately directed to different parts of the body in the upward direction, first with a fan, and at the height of the procedure with a compact jet. Do not massage the area of the mammary glands, genitals and face. The abdomen is massaged in a circle direction, clockwise. The procedure leads to pronounced reddening of the skin, while blood flow improves in the affected area, metabolism is activated, tissues receive more nutrients and oxygen.
Scottish shower
This is a type of high pressure jet shower. 2 jets of water are directed to the patient's body, their temperature during the session is changed from cold to hot about 4-6 times. Hot water affects about 30-60 s, and cold less - 20-40 s. The duration of the session is 3-5 minutes.
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