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.

Saunas

The use of sauna is a major part of most detox programs because the “heat stress” of a sauna is very effective in releasing toxins from fat cells.
Saunas may be either dry or wet.

For a dry sauna, no moisture is added to the sauna room. Electricity is used to generate infrared heat. Dry saunas stimulate vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels and increase cardiovascular activity, which helps the body rid itself of more toxins. Saunas speed up all metabolism in the body and inhibit the replication of pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. The immune response is also strengthened because the number of leukocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood is increased.

Steam is used in wet saunas. A steam generator or water poured over the heated rocks may be used to provide steam. The steam raises the body temperature quickly and is beneficial for arthritic pain and upper respiratory conditions. The humid heat helps the skin.

Dry saunas are recommended because they increase sweating and so speed detoxification. A complete sauna cleansing program should include exercise, time in a dry sauna, and a cleansing shower followed by a massage or physical therapy.

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

Flu Buster Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 cloves garlic (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons wasabi powder
  • 2-4 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1/4 cup finely shredded ginger

Directions:

  1. In a blender, combine vinegar, garlic, and ginger and blend until smooth. Pour through a fine strainer and press with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard pulp.
  2. Whisk in the wasabi, cayenne, and honey.

Serve 2 tablespoons at a time on an empty stomach. Add 1 cup hot water for a warming tonic. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.