Hydrotherapy: Can You Improve Circulation With Just Water?
Find out what hydrotherapy is all about. A technique in which only water is used at different temperatures and pressures, depending on the desired benefit.
To improve circulation, it is essential to practice and maintain good lifestyle habits. Of course, all the doctor’s instructions should also be followed, especially if there is a circulatory disorder. Now, one of the best known complementary measures to provide relief and take care of the quality of life is hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy is undoubtedly one of the simplest alternative therapies. Its only resource is water, used with different forces of pressure and temperature. This technique can be especially useful to improve circulation, alleviate various ailments and even increase our energy.
Aspects to consider
- Hydrotherapy is not a substitute for any medical treatment nor should it be used as the only way to cure or alleviate a discomfort or pathology.
- It is necessary to consult with the doctor before carrying out any hydrotherapy technique, in order to avoid adverse effects.
- Contrast showers, which alternate hot and cold water, are one of the most recommended to improve circulation; however, there are patients who should avoid them.
- Whenever a contrast shower is finished, it is necessary to dry the body quickly, making vigorous circular movements with the towel (without hurting the skin) to promote blood circulation.
- We should never abuse hot water. This should be applied in certain areas and in very short periods, since if it does not weaken too much.
Next, we will discuss some hydrotherapy techniques that can be carried out very easily and in a short time. All you need to do is do them on a regular basis in order to enjoy all their benefits.
The following are classified as “no pressure techniques” according to San Martín and Armijo, since the force of water is not used to obtain a benefit. Instead, the water temperature is used.
Foot baths
Foot baths can be very helpful in improving blood circulation. It will only be necessary to heat two liters of water in a pot and pour them into a basin or plastic container where we can put the feet. You have to be careful and do not submerge your feet when the water is boiling.
Once the water cools down, we add several ice cubes to the water and keep our feet there for a couple of minutes. Obviously, this is a version of the contrast shower, only in a less extensive area of the body. It should be noted that these baths can be done daily, before sleeping. According to a study published in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy , these kinds of treatments can be helpful in reducing joint pain.
Some people like to add a little baking soda or coarse sea salt to their foot baths, since they help to relax the feet more easily and get relief from heaviness, fatigue and inflammation.
Cold water for cramps and varicose veins
To carry out this technique, it is necessary to have a hand shower. The idea is to do a tour of the legs with cold water as follows:
- Climb up the outer side of the right leg.
- Go down the inside of the right leg.
- Climb up the outer side of the left leg.
- When we reach knee height, we move to the right knee for a moment. Then we go back to the left knee and continue down.
- We repeat the tour through the back of the legs, without having to change the knees.
- When drying our legs with the towel, we will do a little friction on the skin, from bottom to top.
Even these habits have proven to be effective in treating postpartum pain. So it can be useful for those women who have just given birth.
Cold water for the heart
By applying cold water on closed eyes we will be able to relax and calm down and, therefore, balance the heart rate. To carry out this technique we can use ice packs or we can directly apply a jet of cold water on the face, for about 10 seconds. It is important to highlight the fact that the water should not have a lot of pressure.
Contrast showers on the arms
To improve circulation in the upper extremities, contrast showers can be used. This type of technique can contribute both to relieve inflammation as well as joint and muscle pain.
To carry it out correctly, we must start by spraying the bathrooms with hot water, for a few seconds, and then with cold water. It should always be finished with cold water.
Rubbing to improve circulation
Rubbing can be a good way to improve circulation. To carry them out, it will only be necessary to lightly moisten a towel with cold water and then carry out the following route: hand-shoulder, foot-groin, trunk. The rubs must be carried out quickly, and afterwards it is necessary to wrap the body well to warm it.
Hydrotherapy as an aid to relieve pain
In addition to the techniques mentioned above, therapeutic massages can be used to relieve discomfort and improve circulation. Be careful, under no circumstances should excessive pressure be applied that may cause pain, as this could cause various inconveniences.
And remember, although hydrotherapy can be a good treatment for circulation, you should take it as a complementary therapy and consult with your doctor if it is appropriate in your case.
