Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water, steam or ice and hot or cold temperatures.

Hydrotherapy can:

  • Increases circulation of the blood and lymph
  • Cleans the skin
  • Relieves pain; serve as a local anesthetic
  • Lower fever
  • Decrease cramps
  • Induce sleep
  • Soothes the nervous system
  • Acts as a stimulant
  • Increase physical and mental alertness

The primary reaction of the body to heat is relaxation and it is the secondary reaction to depression, sedation and atony (lack of muscle tone). Heat stimulates the nervous system and causes white blood cells to migrate from the blood vessels into the tissues, cleaning up toxins including bacteria and viruses, and eliminating waste. The primary reaction of the body to cold is stimulation and the secondary reaction is invigorating, restorative and tonic (improves muscle tone). Cold reduces inflammation by vasoconstriction also reducing inflammatory agents by making the blood vessels less permeable.

Alternating of heat and cold stimulates the adrenal and endocrine system, reduces congestion, alleviates inflammation, activates organ function, improves circulation in the digestive organs and pelvis, and helps the detox capacity of the liver.

Types of Hydrotherapy

  • Baths and Showers
  • Compresses and Packs: Compresses may be hot, cold or alternating hot and cold, and usually applied with pressure. Both compresses and packs help stimulate the immune system and increase the white blood cell count. Also to treat infections and bruises.
    • Hot compresses applied for 30 minutes or more. Change when they cool off.
    • Cold compresses applied as cold cloth wrung from ice water. Refresh as they warm up.
    • Ice packs are a very cold application, usually ice or gel packs.
    • Applied to the area for 20 minutes out of every hour for the first 24 hours.
    • Hot packs warm a local area to relieve muscle spasms and pain and encourage blood flow, Towels soaked in hot water from the tap can be used 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Sprays: Sprays are strong jets of water directly at a local or general area. Showers are a type of spray. Hot and cold alternating. Cold sprays to the breastbone or upper legs stimulate the kidneys. Cold sprays or alternating hot and cold sprays on the abdomen stimulates the liver.

Papaya Tahini Smoothie, Serves 1

Ingredients

Combine the mylk, papaya, tahini, and powders and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a large glass.

Golden Matcha, Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder (can be found in most health food stores, usually in a tin)
  • 1 teaspoon Anti-Inflammatory Tea powder
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon coconut blossom syrup or raw local honey
  • grated nutmeg (optional)

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until hot, not boiling. Transfer to a blender. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until completely mixed. Serve hot in a mug and grate a little nutmeg over the top.

Golden Milk Recipe, Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup almond milk (or another nut/seed milk like cashew, coconut or hemp)
  • 1 teaspoon almond oil, ghee or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Anti-Inflammatory Tea
  • honey to taste

Combine all the ingredients (except) honey in a saucepan and while stirring constantly heat the mixture until just before it boils. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Turmeric Benefits Include, and is used in the treatment of:

  • Supports digestion and liver health (ulcers, diverticulitis, flatulence, leaky gut)
  • Heart health (high blood pressure, unhealthy levels of cholesterol)
  • Immune support (cancers, colds & flu, bronchitis)
  • Musculoskeletal strength and flexibility (joint disorders, arthritis, pain)
  • Nervous system (pain, Alzheimer’s)
  • Wound healing and healthy skin (eczema, psoriasis)
  • Diabetes and menstrual difficulties

Other ways to use Anti-Inflammatory Tea…

  • Add 1-2 teaspoons to smoothies, oatmeal or baked goods
  • Sprinkle on toasted sprouted bread onto of nut -or seed butter or nut cheese

Principle Influences on Inflammation

Causes of Inflammation

  • Standard Western food program
  • Refined sugars, white flour products
  • Commercial meat products, excess meat consumption
  • Omega-6 oils (animal fats, corn, and soy, safflower, canola, low-quality oils)
  • Commercial dairy products, especially cow milk products
  • Eggs from commercially-raised chickens
  • Persistent emotional upset or lingering negative thought patterns
  • Too little exercise or too much exercise
  • Smoking, environmental toxicity, poisons

Reduces Inflammation

  • Plant-based food program, Mediterranean diet, traditional Indian -and Asian diets
  • Whole grains
  • Olive oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, coconut oil, and fatty cold-water fish
  • Grass-fed animal milk products; goat
  • Organically raised hens
  • Lightheartedness, contentment, joy, and laughter
  • Moderate exercise daily for 30 – 45 minutes
  • Clean and peaceful environment

The information on this handout is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information pertaining to your personal needs, please see a qualified health practitioner.

All rights reserved Dr. Malik Cotter, www.malikcotter.com Copyright © 2019