Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is a complementary therapy that uses water for health purposes.

Depending on the industry and use, some may also refer to the treatments as aquatic therapy, water therapy, or hydropathy.

There are many uses for different types of hydrotherapy, including treating joint pain with water exercises and easing muscle stress with cold or hot showers or baths.

People should always discuss hydrotherapy with a doctor or physical therapist before adding it to a treatment program.

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Hydrotherapy refers to using water as therapy in any form. For instance, it may act as a treatment for temporary skin-related issues, such as burns and septic ulcers, or for chronic health conditions, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Water therapy uses either hot or cold water, with the water pressure and flow varying among treatments. The intention is to ease both physical and mental symptoms.

Some hydrotherapy practices are as simple as sitting in a warm bath, which people can do at home. Other practices involve specialist locations or equipment, such as a cold sauna.

Possible locations and equipment for hydrotherapy may include:

  • physical therapy tanks
  • swimming pools
  • whirlpool spas
  • hot tubs
  • saunas
  • showers
  • baths

The procedure for using each will vary greatly depending on the goal of treatment and the practitioner.

Hydrotherapy may offer a range of benefits, including:

Reducing pain

One review found that spa therapy using warm water had a significant pain-relieving effect in people with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues.

The warm water may ease the signals for pain, relax the muscles, and increase blood flow, reducing pain in the area.

Improving mental health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that water-based activities improve mental health in some people. For example, people with fibromyalgia may find aquatic exercise therapy reduces anxiety and depression.

Additionally, many may find that swimming improves their mood and helps release tension through exercise.

Arthritis symptoms

People with some types of arthritis may benefit from hydrotherapy, as well. For example, one study found that people with osteoarthritis in the knee had improved markers of pain and knee function after 8 weeks of aquatic exercise.

Another study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who engaged in moderate intensity aquatic exercise while continuing their medication had an improvement in markers of the disease, including lower oxidative stress.

Low impact

One of the key benefits of hydrotherapy techniques, such as aquatic exercise, is that they are very low impact.

People can do these activities in water without putting too much stress on their joints. As a result, people can stick to a workout plan while reducing symptoms such as pain.

Relaxation

Many forms of hydrotherapy also aid relaxation, both physically and mentally. Warm water may help ease tension in the muscles while promoting a relaxed state of mind.

Recovering from workouts

Athletes sometimes use various forms of hydrotherapy in which they alternate between warm and cold water. Many feel that this form of contrast hydrotherapy helps them recover from hard workouts and avoid delayed onset muscle soreness.

Pregnancy and hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy may help with the general aches and pains that pregnancy can cause. Some people may choose forms of hydrotherapy during a water birth to reduce pain and promote relaxation.

Research into the benefits and uses of hydrotherapy is ongoing. There is still a lack of evidence to support some hydrotherapy health claims.

A doctor, physical therapist, or alternative health practitioner can offer advice on which type of hydrotherapy is best, depending on an individual’s health goals.

Aquatic exercise

Aquatic exercise is a low impact form of physical activity, which typically takes place in a pool using specialist equipment. It allows people to work the muscles and raise the heart rate without putting much stress on the joints.

These exercise routines are suitable for people with arthritis or fibromyalgia and for older people, who may be at higher risk of falling or just find working out easier in the low impact environment.

Warm water baths

Soaking in a warm water bath is a form of hydrotherapy. The person may also add salts and minerals, essential oils, or other ingredients to enhance the bath.

Sitz bath

A sitz bath is a shallow bath using either warm or cold water. Practitioners may recommend sitz baths for relief from issues such as cramps or hemorrhoids.

Wraps, compresses, and fomentation

Wraps and compresses using hot, warm, or cold water are also a form of hydrotherapy. These may provide targeted relief from mild symptoms and support treatment.

Saunas

Depending on the definition, saunas may include both wet and dry heat saunas, as well as cool or refrigerated saunas. These involve sitting in a room set to a specific temperature with either humid or dry air.

Water circuit therapy

Water circuit therapy or contrast hydrotherapy involves going through a few different forms of hydrotherapy one after the other, generally alternating between warm and cold water to promote circulation and help ease symptoms.

The circuit may vary greatly depending on the practitioner and the person receiving treatment, but it could include various techniques such as:

  • warm baths
  • wet or dry saunas
  • cold plunges
  • cool baths

Immersion therapies

Immersion therapies are those that involve a person immersing themselves in water for relief. They include:

  • warm baths
  • cool baths
  • cold plunges
  • sitz baths
  • hot tubs with jet massages
  • whirlpool baths

Hydrotherapy may have various uses as a complementary therapy to standard treatment.

Relaxing hydrotherapy practices, such as saunas and foot baths, may help ease stress and allow a person to relax or alleviate painful symptoms.

In each case, it is still important to work with a doctor to determine the most suitable practices for the individual.