Balneo-Research Journal Vol.3, Nr.

1, 2012
and the work of French doctors as: Fleury
Dalmas, Robin, Beni-Bard, German:
HIDROTHERAPY
Liebermeister and Zimssen etc.
Mioara Dumitracu1 Constantin Munteanu2 In our country, the first scientific
Horia Lazarescu2 hydrotherapeutical paper - Hydrotherapy
1
S.C. Biosafety SRL medical, published in 1904, belongs to doctor
2 Baiulescu Gh. The treaty describes the idriatice
Institutul Naional de Recuperare,
Medicina Fizica i Balneoclimatologie procedures, their influence on the nervous
system, blood circulation, blood morphological
Abstract conditions, organic exchange, respiration, muscle
Hydrotherapy is considered the oldest Force, temperature, secretions and excretions.
therapeutic method, being used as a remedy The doctor makes a presentation idriatice
procedures, those used by the Viennese School,
for various common ailments since ancient
from the French and American.
Greek culture, Japanese, induced, Principle of this method of therapy is
Romanian (Champion, 1998). Numerous based on fluid properties: mechanical (thermo
research studies have highlighted the role it conductivity of water is 30 times greater than air,
has hydrotherapy on muscle relaxation in heat capacity, 8 times greater than air), heat and
treating musculoskeletal and neurological chemicals. The pressure of gravity on the bones
disorders, sore throat, backache, arthritis, in water, can be reduced by 90%. Physiological
head injury, spasticity, etc. vascular fluid factor is exercised through the skin, the skin
accidents. (Moor et al, 1964). is the first organ to which the contact, the
" You waters! You that reassuring us, bringing to us structure characteristic of the vast network of
strength, health, joy and grandeur." vascular and nerve receptors can be obtained
RIG VEDA
many and varied responses, local and general
reactions.
Local and general action occurs in the
metabolism and systems: muscular,
Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic method that
cardiovascular, neros, respiratory etc.
uses water at different temperatures and in
i. Effect on cardiovascular system:
different states of aggregation (liquid, solid or
peripheral circulation and heart. Rich vascular
gaseous) to treat certain diseases. The water used
network skin reaction to cold or of warmer can
may be fresh, mineral or marine, pure or mixed
be exciting vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
with other substances or herbs and medicinal:
Vasoconstriction is the initial phase, which is
infusions or decoctions (chamomile,
longer under the influence of "cold" and very
marshmallow, walnut leaf, etc..) And various
short, sometimes almost macroscopically
mixtures of herbs, also salt, iodine, sulfur, mud,
unnoticed, under the action of warmer exciting.
gas, etc.
By bristles erector muscle contraction is impeded
Hydrotherapy as all forms of therapy are
heat loss by reducing surface radiation skin.
combined using warm or cold, to treat various
Active vasodilation is the phase in which
diseases. Hydrotherapy is also considered a
there is a redness (flushing) of the skin (pink-
branch of natural medicine based on water use in
red), under the action of hot or cold exciting,. Is
therapy.
of longer duration and is the most important of
Interestingly, a search on the Internet
stages. Passive or paralytic vasodilatation usually
hydrotherapy lead to over three million and a half
follows the previous one, if the action exciting
results, which show the importance of this term.
factor is prolonged or if it is too brutal. Skin
Use of this method of treatment has gone
becomes red-violet or marble. The reaction you
through several stages over time, from empirical
want and not have to avoid in hydrotherapy,
to scientifically ... Scientific foundations of
being an indication that the procedure should be
hydrotherapy have been raised by W. Winternitz,
discontinued.
of Vienna Faculty of Medicine, the work
Action on the heart: "cold" soothes and
phisiologischer auf und Die Hydrotherapie
eases the heart work (heart rate accelerates, etc.),
Klinischer Grundlage, published in 1877. Also
hot and tired heart procedures.
an important contribution to the development of
scientific and hydrotherapy techniques have had
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Balneo-Research Journal Vol.3, Nr.1, 2012
The procedures action on blood: blood indicated in abscesses, flegmoane, acute
composition was deviated to acidosis through appendicitis, digestive, brain bleeding, etc.
procedures cold and to alkalosis through hot
procedures (due to hyperventilation that lowers
CO2). Increases in blood clotting procedures
warm and back again in the cold.

ii.. The action of breathing: the cold, deep

inspiration and after a short pause, respiratory
rate increases. Hot procedures triggers from the
beginning, a frequent and shallow breathing. The
most affecting breathing is neck, probably close
to the bulb.

iii. Action on the nervous system:

application of cold decreases nerve sensitivity
and has an anesthetic effect. Cold was one of the
first means anesthetics used in surgery. Heat has
a stimulating effect in analgesic processes is
acute and chronic inflammatory processes.
Figure 1.The compresses
iv. Action on metabolism: cold procedures
cause an increase in metabolism, with higher A warm compress is acting analgesic,
consumption of oxygen. Increases metabolic relaxing, sedation, anti-ing, vasodilators, for
procedures produce lighter warm by consuming which is indicated in all chronic inflammatory
carbohydrates and lipids. Indifferent procedures processes (hepatic, renal colic etc.).
do not alter metabolism. Prienitz compress is stimulating, toning
Depending on water temperature were and is liket to the Prienitz name (which used it
varied ways to use this therapeutic factor. The for the first time). It is a cold compress covered
procedures used in hydrotherapy are divided into with one dry. As an action, the first contact with
general, most demanding, which is usually skin vasoconstriction is produced, then heated (ie
prescribed in the morning and local or partial. vasodilation), heated to evaporate water from the
The most commonly used are: compressor, leading to skin cooling and so on,
1. compresses- hot and cold or alternating until they dry. Is indicated in subacute and
2. packing- lower / upper / in 3 quarters / chronic inflammation.
full trunk
3. friction-partial or complete 2. Package procedures are wet and dry
4. bi terapeutice- reci (sub 20 C), wet; sheets are used as blanket covering the
racoaroase (20-30 C), intermediare (34- patient directly or after a particular technique,
37 C), calde (38-39 C), fierbinti (40 C). there are packs with different substances
(paraffin, mud). Their action is highly
1. The compresses are the simplest vasodilator, with good anti inflammatory effect,
procedures and are of several types depending on analgesic resorbitiv and relaxing. Used in all
water temperature and area of application. Cold chronic inflammatory processes: arthritis,
compress: analgesic effect, vasoconstriction, so osteoarthritis, neuralgia, stiff etc.. The same is
antihemoragic and antifreeze-flammable. As done with impahetarile mud and sand. After
guidance, is used in any acute inflammatory these procedures warm mandatory should follow
process. Sometimes replaced with ice pack. washing.
Change from 5 to 10 minutes, when it was dry. Is

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Balneo-Research Journal Vol.3, Nr.1, 2012
Kinetotherapeutic bath is to which is added
passive water movements and active movements
performed by the patient, for periods of 4 to 5
minutes (meaning 5 minutes sitting in the
bathroom, 5 minutes passive movements, 5
minute break and 5 minutes active movements -
her total of 20 minutes), the bathroom
chiropractic is used especially in year chiloze,
muscle stiffness, joint, for ease of movement in
water.
Cold baths (general) are very drastic
procedure, rarely used. Cool baths (32-34 C)
Figura 2. The packages are: halbbad-x (half bath) and bath brush (also
half the water depth reaching the bathroom (25 to
3. Frictions are procedures which acts both
30 mm). Are laborious procedures, with good
by thermal factor, and by the mechanic. They are
stimulant effect. Of course that full baths will be
always cold, using wet cloth over that run
indicated in cardiac, atherosclerotic etc.
friction, long strokes, sliding palms until they are
Partial baths for hands or legs, are easy
heated (active vasodilation). After that, rubbed
procedure that can be warm, cold and uphill.
region wipe and covers . Friction can be partial
Baths upward (Hauffe), the temperature is
(hands, legs, chest etc.) or total (complete). It can
increased gradually from 37 to 40 C, are used
perform bedside immobilized (fractures,
in bronchial asthma, angina attacks, for their
rheumatism).
reaction consensual. The other - warm or cold -
are indications, in general, identical to the
4. Baths are the most requested procedures
procedures at this temperature - in chronic or
in hydrotherapy. They are of several types:
acute inflammation of the areas where applied
simple (regular water), drug, with different
(hands, legs or pelvic area).
substances (salt, iodine, sulfur, etc.), complete or
Alternating baths of legs to knee, consisting
partial (hands, legs, seat), indifference to
of their introduction in the first bucket of warm
temperature (35-37) , warm (38-40) or cold
(2-3 minutes), then in the cold water (20-30
(below 22). Baths actions by three factors:
seconds) several times in a row, ending cool
thermal, chemical and mechanical (hydrostatic
boat. Indications: headache, leg paresis.
pressure upwards pressure, movement of water in
Sitz baths can be done in a special dish or a
the bathroom).
laver. The cold bats, lasting 1-2 minutes, is
recommended for: acute genital disease, uterine
bleeding, hemorrhoids (in painful crisis). The
warmer bats, lasting 5-15 minutes, recommended
in cases of cystitis, renal colic, chronic
prostatitis, but are contraindicated coronary
patients.
Steam baths, partial or general, can be
made all at home using improvised equipment.
Steam baths to head are indicated in flu,
colds, sinusitis and acute bronchitis. The patient
sits with head bent over a pot of hot water, which
were made a few drops of essence of the desired
plant or decoction that, covered with a thick
Figura 3. Bathrooms towel. The procedure consists of inhaling of
warer vapors containing active excipients of that
Indifferent baths (35-37 C) have a plant. For a partial bath, half body or general
sedative effect, relaxing, where the indications need a chair or a wooden rods provided with
for musculoskeletal diseases, neurosis etc. Warm several openings. Under the seat on which the
baths have action and indications for warmer patient sits, is placed the bowl with hot water and
procedures (chronic musculoskeletal, orthopedic essence or plant decoction. For partial bath the
- sequels, paresis, paralysis, chronic rheumatism.
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Balneo-Research Journal Vol.3, Nr.1, 2012
patient will be wrapped up at the waist with a Similar procedures are afuziunile, cataplasmele,
thick blanket, and for the general to the neck. showers.
Such baths are indicated in flu, obesity and Afuziuni consists in spreading a column of
cellulite. The duration can be 5-15 minutes. water without pressure on certain parts of the
Medicinal baths: are also very used to body, with a suitable rubber hose to a tap or a
them, adding: a chemical substance (I, NaCl, S, sprinkler rosette which was removed. Can be
etc.), medicinal plants (infusions or decoctions), made with cold water or warm and cold water
gases (CO2, 02, air). They work by all known alternately. At home can be done cold fusion in
factors: thermal, chemical and mechanical. the legs by the patient himself.
Drugs baths (with iodine, salt, sulfur, starch Water column will be projected starting
etc..) Are used, especially in rheumatic disease, from the fingers, then the front of leg, to knee, or
skin diseases etc.. and can do in house. Are above, to the root leg, from here you will go
known, the people baths with walnut leaves down on one side of the foot, to the fingers,
(containing iodine). where to climb and on the back, to the desired
Baths with medicinal plants (fan flower, location (knee or foot root), then down the front
mallow, fir tree, chamomile, peppermint) have a side arrears.
good a sedative effect and relaxing. Are made at Those maneuvers will be performed several
temperatures between 36-37 C, because times in a row for 3-4 minutes, until a pleasant
contained essences are volatilize at a higher feeling of warmth and redness. Cold afuziuni is
temperature. indicated for people with early varicose veins,
with paresis or paralysis of limbs, insomnia,
sequels after phlebitis, chronic edema and those
who blame heavy legs and tired.

The cataplasms consist of applying

substances, usually wet, on the skin. Most
common are mustard cataplasms, with
horseradish, chamomile, mud etc.. They are used
today (mustard), especially in children, acute
inflammatory processes, for their effect
revulsive, decongestant, analgesic and
antispasmodic (pneumonia, congestion,
periviscerite, myalgia, neuralgia, etc.). Their
action is explained both by the thermal factor,
Figura 4. Bai cu plante medicinale and by the chemical (volatile essences).
The showers are procedures well known
Chronic rheumatic disease, neuroses, H.T.A. and used. They are cold, warmer bats, special
compensated, etc. ulcerative disease. Baths with and alternate, or after the water jet as "the
gas bubbles (CO2, O2, air) are prescribed, almost wheel", "fed" or "in range" (shower gardener).
all indifferent temperature (35 - 37 C), other the Indications showers, after temperature, be
gas evaporates(gas loses heat trap held). confused with those of cold compresses warmer
Gas bubbles in the bathroom break of patient bats, and the alternate, as friction, have a
skin, exerting a fine massage, roller, which gives stimulant, tonic.
active hyperemia, decreasing peripheral dam. Among these, Scottish shower is a shower
Thus T.A. decreases heart rate becomes "fed", alternating with a pressure of 1-2
bradycardia, diastole is larger and richer atmospheres, the water jet at a distance of 5-6 m
coronary flow (is results that are obtained with from the subject. To effect stimulant, tonic, is
digital). They have a good calming effect. Hence, shown in chronic rheumatic diseases, sciatic
these baths indication: hypertension, peripheral chronic neurosis, obesity, hypothyroidism etc.
circulatory disorders (arthritis etc.), sequelae of
phlebitis, neuroses, etc. ulcer disease. Gas are
obtained from normal bottles (CO2, O2).

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Balneo-Research Journal Vol.3, Nr.1, 2012

References:
1. Campion MR, ed. (1998). Hydrotherapy
principles and practice. Butterworth-
Heinman. Oxford.
2. Cider Asa, Schaufelberger Maria, Stibrant
Sunnerhagen Katharina, Andersson B.
(2003). Hydrotherapya new approach to
improve function in the older patient with
chronic heart failure. The European Journal
of Heart Failure 5. pp. 527535.
3. Dail C., Thomas C. (1997). Hidroterapie.
Figura 5. Showers Editura: Via i sntate.
4. Dan N., Totorean Alina, Armand G., Ni
Between the special showers, shower-
Andrea, Jurici Merima, Amrici Elena, Luca
massage shower mention underwater shower.
V., Cristea Cristina, Bereteu Oana, Onofrei
Shower massage, by name, is a warm shower,
Roxana, Popa D., Cotulbea Raluca, Dobrescu
with 5-6 rosettes, to which is added massage. It
Corina. (2006). Curs de recuperare, medicin
has a massage absorbed, as indicated in a number
fizic i balneologie. UNIVERSITATEA DE
of chronic rheumatic processes, enurologice
MEDICIN I FARMACIE VICTOR
(arthritis, arthrosis, spondylosis, sciatica, obesity
BABE TIMIOARA. FACULTATEA DE
etc.).
MEDICIN. TIMIOARA.
Underwater shower is a shower "fed" with
pressure 2 to 3 atmospheres, designed under 5. Moor F., Peterson S., Manwell E., Noble M.,
water 10 to 15 cm of skin. There are special Muench G. (1964). Manual of hydrotherapy
facilities in this respect. Effect and indications 6. and massage. Pacific Press Publishing
are similar to those of shower-massage, only Association, Idaho, pp 1-29.
support is better.
The shower with warm air done with 7. Petrofsk J. et al. THE INFLUENCE OF
hairdryer, usually accompanied by massage. Has WARM HYDROTHERAPY ON THE
the same indications and actions as shower- CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND
massage, only it's a gentler procedure. Showers MUSCLE RELAXATION. Department of
Contraindications: avoid pressure showers Physical Therapy Loma Linda University.
(Scottish) in: vascular fragility, in psychosis, 8. Thomas Celia (2009). Hydrotherapy.
agitation, pregnant women, in fever etc. Muscular Dystrophy Campaign January
2009.
Hydrotherapy is contraindicated for persons
who have:
severe organic deficiency; http://www.terapii-alternative.com
severe brain impairment; http://www.szovata.ro
senile deterioration; http://www.statiunibalneo.ro
diabetes; http://www.sfatulmedicului.ro/
http://www.physiotherapy.ro
people with multiple sclerosis;
http://www.google.ro/imghp
to persons suffering from cardiovascular
diseases (hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia,
cardiac ischemia, stroke, thrombosis, etc..) to
avoid certain procedures, especially those
using hot water
pregnant women should avoid hot baths and
saunas.

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