Water Therapy: 7 Effective Methods for Health Benefits

Author:
Chitrangada Sharan
Updated:
Sep 16, 2024 12:28 PM EDT

Hydrotherapy: Can it help you?
Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash

Hydrotherapy or "Water Therapy"

Water is the most important component of our physiology. There are many significant properties of water.
Three-fourths of the Earth is covered with water, and the same is true for our bodies. About 70% of our body is water.

In ancient times, people used to take baths in the rivers or waterfalls. Water was said to have a magical rejuvenating effect on your brain and body.

A commonly recognized form of water therapy today is a hip bath or sitz bath, but of course, there are many types of water therapy in use today.

What Makes Water Therapeutic Aside From Its Hydrating Properties?

Natural sources of water such as the river, seawater, waterfalls, hot water Kund or springs, contain various chemicals and minerals that are good for our health.
When the water travels through the soil, it combines with elements such as copper, carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, iodine, calcium and many other precious components, which have medicinal value.
This combination results in adequate magnetic power and energy, helpful in resolving many ailments.
Every Kund or hot water spring contains specific chemicals and minerals that have the ability to alleviate specific diseases.

Soaking feet in warm water is good for health

Soaking feet in warm water is good for health

How Does Water Therapy work?

Water therapy can be performed using a variety of methods.

You can drink warm water in a timed manner—this is called Japanese water therapy—or you can soak and immerse the affected body part in warm water as part of treatment for various ailments. This is known as hydrotherapy, and it's what I will focus on today.
Water, in fact, energises the body and helps all the internal organs, such as the liver, kidney, intestines, etc., which are responsible for eliminating toxic or waste materials from our body.
Hot or warm water ensures, smooth flow of blood, it eases pain, reduces internal inflammation, and maintains ideal body temperature.
Essentially, water helps flush accumulated waste out of our system. This helps with overall health and lessens chronic illness.
Hot or warm water therapy can be used to treat internal, deep blood accumulation or inflammation. The warm water reduces pain in the muscles or joints, in a wonderful way. It relaxes the stiff muscles and bone joints.

Quotes

“Pure water is the World’s first and foremost medicine.”
—Popular Proverb

7 Effective Methods of Hydrotherapy

Water can be used for therapy, in solid, liquid and/or gaseous form.

Water therapy can include hot or cold water bath, sponge bath, warming with a hot water bag, cold water or warm water bandage and other methods.

1. Warm Water Bandage

Soak a thick piece of cotton cloth in warm water and after squeezing out the water, apply it to the affected part.

This is best used on the neck, for relief from soreness in the throat, swelling in the tonsils, joint pains in the hands or legs, or on the abdomen if one has poor digestion.

2. Cold Water Bandage

A strip of thick cotton cloth is soaked in cold or iced water. Excess water is squeezed out, and the cloth is spread on the affected area.

This is generally used in cases of high fever, headache, etc.

It is also used in severe stomach pain, as first aid.

3. Soaking Feet in Hot Water

Immerse feet in a hot water bucket so that the water level is up to the knees. The temperature of the water should be bearable. Soak feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Then take out and wipe with a soft towel, which is soaked in cold water. Rub the feet with a dry towel.

This has a wonderful effect on blood circulation. Once your feet are energized it results in positive benefits on the entire body. You feel instantly relaxed mentally as well as physically.

4. Alternate Cold and Warm Bath

This kind of bath is very beneficial for blood circulation, skin-related problems, and aches. One can take this bath for the entire body or some individual affected organs.

Prepare two buckets: one hot and one cold. Maintain the temperature of the hot water bucket by continuously adding hot water if it becomes slightly cold.

Start with warm water, and then alternate to cold water, spending 5 minutes each in both tubs. Continue for half an hour before wiping off with a dry towel.

5. Hip bath or Sitz Bath

This kind of water therapy is useful for remediating stomach-related ailments, diseases related to the pelvic region, organs below the spinal cord, ailments related to male and female reproductive organs, piles, urinary organs, etc.

It is also beneficial in obesity, weak digestive system, worms and many other ailments.

A bucket or tub is filled with warm water, such that your hips are immersed into it. The legs can be kept out. One can sit in it for 15 to 20 minutes, whilst massaging the stomach.

If you have a bathtub at home, you can very easily do this at home.

Once finished, pat dry with a towel.

6. Hot Water Bags

This is again a very common method of treatment with water. Warm (not boiling) water is filled in the hot water bags, and then the cap is closed. Place the hot water bag on the affected area.

This gives relief from the pain in various organs, such as the hands, neck, back, legs or stiff bone joints.

7. Steam Bath

Steam bath is very effective in eliminating toxic materials from our body through the skin by means of perspiration.

Many health clubs have a steam room, where hot vapor is pumped through the hot water pipes.

You can create a steam room at home too.
Take a bucket filled with hot water. Cover yourself with a blanket, hovering over the bucket, so that all the steam is trapped inside the blanket. Once the water is of bearable temperature, place your feet in it.

After that, cover your head with a cold water towel. Drink some warm water too, to make this more effective. Remain in this position for 15 minutes, then come out and take a cold water shower.

This is beneficial for the digestive system, arthritis or bone joint pains, skin-related issues, etc.

A Word of Caution

There are countless other benefits of water that can't be listed here. More often than not we do not try natural resources or holistic reflection for various ailments and instead immediately rush to expensive doctors and medicines.

This article is meant to serve as a reminder that sometimes slowing down and supporting our injuries with rest and hydration is what we truly need.

While the potential side effects of water therapy are relatively benign, be sure to talk to your doctor before attempting to resolve an ailment purely with water therapy.

Resources

Types and Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to maintain health or treat a condition such as back or neck aches and pain. Learn how it works and the common types.
Japanese Water Therapy: Benefits, Risks, and Effectiveness
Japanese water therapy involves timing your meals and water intake to supposedly cleanse your gut and heal disease. This article reviews the benefits, downsides, and effectiveness of Japanese water therapy.
Water Therapy for Weight Loss — Does It Work?
Japanese water therapy is claimed to offer numerous health benefits, including weight loss. This article explains whether water therapy can help you lose weight.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 09, 2021:

Thank you so much Audrey, for your appreciation of the article.

I am glad that you found this information helpful. I hope and pray that these alternative therapies help to get you some relief. I prefer them, because they are safe.

For diabetics, it’s important to walk everyday, and you are doing the right thing.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day.

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on March 08, 2021:

Thank you, Chitrangada, for reminding me how important water therapy is. My feet could use a good soaking. Diabetic neuropathy takes a toll, still, I walk every day uphill and downhill. I'm going to increase my water intake too.

Natural medicine/therapies is important to me and I love learning from you about the various minerals and medicinal effects

Important information!

Blessing of good health, peace, and eternal love.

Audrey

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 08, 2021:

Thank you MsDora, for reading and appreciating the article.

Happy to know that you found it helpful.

Have a good day. Thank you so much.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 08, 2021:

Thank you Tamara, for reading and commenting on this article. Happy to read your positive feedback.

Have a great day.

Tamara Yancosky BBYCGN from Uninhabited Regions on March 07, 2021:

Such a wealth of information! Thank you for this fantastic post, Chitrangada. ♥️

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on March 07, 2021:

Thanks for your helpful article. I appreciate the practical suggestions, especially the weight loss tips.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 07, 2021:

Appreciations and best wishes, Manatita. Take care.

manatita44 from london on March 07, 2021:

Thanks Ji. Appreciated.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 07, 2021:

Thank you FlourishAnyway, for appreciating the article.

I believe in alternative therapies, for common health issues. Glad that you found this information useful.

Appreciations and good day to you.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 07, 2021:

Thank you Linda, for appreciating the article. You are right that water has immense health benefits and is inexpensive too.

Appreciate you for taking the time to read and comment. Thank you so much.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 07, 2021:

Thank you Nithya, for taking the time to read and share your thoughts on this article.

You are right that water has immense beneficial properties, and an important natural resource. Thank you for endorsing the article.

Have a wonderful day.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on March 07, 2021:

Thank you EK Jadoon, for reading and commenting on this article. Glad that you liked it. Much appreciated.