Constitutional Hydrotherapy

Goals and principles of constitutional hydrotherapy

Constitutional hydrotherapy is based on the theory that proper circulation to internal organs will promote ideal functioning, encourage healing of tissues, and aid in the ideal metabolic function of that system. Through enhancement of blood flow to the organs of elimination (lungs, skin, intestines, kidneys, liver) this treatment is able to encourage the excretion of metabolic waste products and increase the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the system, thereby enhancing the quality of blood in circulation. Studies performed on constitutional hydrotherapy have demonstrated an increase in cellular immunity, decrease in pain, elimination of excess fluid and an increase in basal body temperatures. Constitutional hydrotherapy has also been shown to regulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to bring about a calm state and improved stress response.

Constitutional hydrotherapy treatment procedure

Hydrotherapy is a traditional treatment that utilizes the mechanical effects of cold and hot water to bring about increased circulation. Many people are aware that ice packs are helpful to decrease swelling after an acute injury or that warm applications are useful to decrease muscle spasms and chronic pain. Constitutional hydrotherapy brings together these elements to create a state where the rhythmic circulation of blood flow is encouraged throughout the body. A typical treatment involves lying comfortably on a table while the upper body is warmed with an application of hot towels and covered with a few layers of blankets. Once the body is thoroughly warmed, the hot towel is alternated with a cold towel and the body is again layered with several blankets. This causes a reflex reaction by the body to increase circulation to the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. To enhance the effects of the water therapy, a mild electrical stimulation is used to encourage lymph and immune cells to be released into circulation. This cascade of events causes an increase in body temperature to occur and within several minutes the body will have warmed the cold towel. This therapy is then repeated on with the client lying on their stomach and the alternating water therapy applied to their back.

A typical treatment lasts for one hour. Please make sure that you are well hydrated and have eaten 1 –2 hours before treatment.

Conditions which may benefit from constitutional hydrotherapy:

• Infertility
• Painful periods
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic congestion
• Menopausal symptoms
• Circulation problems (hemorrhoids, varicose veins, cold hands/feet)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Digestive complaints (reflux, malabsorption, constipation)
• Low immune response (frequent colds or flus)
• Hypothyroidism

Those who should refrain from having constitutional hydrotherapy include:

• Pregnancy
• Active menstrual bleeding
• Acute infection with high fever
• Hypertension
• Autoimmune disease
• Metal implants (IUD, pacemaker, metal piercings)