By Tanya M. Williams

The most abundant inorganic compound in our bodies, it is essential to the life of every cell, vital in the transport of substances, the elimination of wastes, and the lubrication of joints and tissues. In it we bathe and play. We seek it for nourishment, for relaxation, for sport. We swim, soak, shower, and drink. For centuries and across cultures, water has been a source of ritual and inspiration. From the Japanese Onsen to the Iranian Hammam, baptism to Balneotherapy, water’s therapeutic effects are at the heart of many ages-old holistic treatments, spiritual traditions, and modern day wellness regimens.

Perhaps more than any other single substance, water is essential to health. Internally, it hydrates and cleanses, facilitating digestion and elimination, and promoting the transport and absorption of nutrients. Externally, water’s therapeutic properties are innumerable. From its soothing sound, to the healing effects of heat and cold on the body, water’s physical and thermal components are the foundation of hydrotherapy.

Aurally, few sounds are as calming. Rain, rivers, oceans, and waterfalls have made their way onto CDs for massage, meditation, yoga, and restful sleep, while water fountains adorn parks, gardens, spas, and office cubicles. Water’s physical properties of hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy affect the body immersed in it. Hydrostatic pressure moves blood and lymph from the surface of the skin to deeper vessels, increasing waste removal, and buoyancy facilitates movement and range of motion.

But the thermal qualities of water have kept it at the heart of healing traditions. Heat – whether via sauna, steam bath, or hot spring – increases circulation and metabolism, reduces muscle tension, relieves pain, and lowers blood pressure. Cold hydrotherapy also relieves pain, relaxes muscle tissues, decreases swelling, and lowers skin temperature. Alternating the two, or “contrast hydrotherapy,” provides the best of both – heat draws blood to the surface of the skin, cold sends it back to the depths, then new blood and nutrients are drawn back to the surface with heat, creating a pumping action which stimulates circulation and speeds healing.

With such an impressive resume, it is no wonder water therapies are embraced everywhere from health clubs to hospitals, spas to sporting events.

Below, an introduction to the array of water-based treatments available and a glimpse at what they can do for you:

Mineral Springs

At natural mineral springs like Ojo Caliente in northern New Mexico, “taking the waters” is a centuries-old healing ritual. Drinking and soaking in different types of mineral water – arsenic, iron, Lithia, sodium, and soda – is said to relieve depression, improve digestion, decrease pain, and soothe skin conditions. Relaxing and restorative, mineral spring soaks help reduce muscle tension and improve circulation and are an excellent precursor to massage.

Steam bath

From the gym to the spa to the master bathroom, steam has been used to release toxins, clear pores, and improve respiratory infections. Frequently used in conjunction with aromatherapy, steam calms the nervous system, relaxes muscle tissue, and relieves pain. Because of water’s thermal properties, steam actually heats the body more quickly than a bath at the same temperature, delivering the therapeutic benefits of heat more efficiently. A fabulous precursor to massage and other full body treatments, the steam bath is appearing on spa menus in ingenious ways. Spa Grande at The Grand Wailea Resort in Maui offers a sweet honey-based steam treatment called, Ali’I Honey Steam Body Wrap that begins with a sea salt body scrub and finishes with a honey conditioning steam, leaving skin supple and vibrant.

Swiss Shower

Another spa treat you’ll wish you had at home, the Swiss shower is a multi-headed stand-up shower that bombards you with water from every side. A bit like a whirlpool jet without the tub, the Swiss shower provides a full body water massage, increasing circulation, reducing muscle tension, and promoting relaxation.

Thalassotherapy

European in origin, thalassotherapy is a warm, mineral-rich seawater soak that causes magnesium and potassium to be drawn into the blood stream as sodium is actively eliminated. Many thalassotherapy treatments use applied seaweed and algae for their antioxidant benefits as well as to stimulate circulation and nourish the body through the skin.

Vichy Shower

The ultimate in relaxing rinses, the Vichy shower’s multiple horizontal showerheads provide a gentle cascade of rain, head-to-toe, as you lie on the treatment table. The closest most of us will ever come to experiencing a tropical rainstorm in the buff, the Vichy is often used in conjunction with full body scrubs and wraps, allowing the client to experience a complete treatment without getting up off the table to rinse off. Some spas are so taken by the concept they’ve developed treatments around it. The Spa at Estrella, in Palm Springs, offers no less than three Vichy therapies, namely: citrus glow, body slimming, and botanical body bliss. Ooh la la!

Watsu

Incorporating elements from Zen Shiatsu, Indian Chakra work, yoga, and meditation, Watsu, or Water Shiatsu, is massage performed in warm water. Shiatsu practitioner Harold Dull developed the technique after discovering that the effects of massage could be deepened and enhanced by working in warm water. Floating in water, the body moves more fluidly and muscle tissue stretches further than it would be able to on land. In addition, the warmth relaxes muscles, unlocks joints, and supports the spine, stimulating the upward movement of energy and releasing tension. Using rocking, stretching, twisting, and breathwork, Watsu sessions take place in a warm waist-deep spring or pool, with both practitioner and client clad in swimsuits. Intimate and nurturing, Watsu offers clients a unique depth of relaxation and release.

hydro at home

From the office of Meredith Lerman, N.D., this hydrotherapy treatment is useful for ailments including poor circulation, sinus congestion, insomnia, seasonal allergies, and headaches. Profoundly relaxing and soothing, this treatment should be performed three nights in a row, right before bedtime. Take a day or two off before resuming the treatment.

You will need: one pair thin cotton socks, one pair wool socks, a tub of hot water, running cold water, and a dry towel.

To prepare: fill bathtub or other wash bin with tolerably hot water, soak thin socks in cold water, wring out and set aside.

First, soak feet for 10-15 minutes in hot water. Pat feet dry with towel. Then, pull cold wet socks onto both feet. Cover with wool socks and go to bed. Sleep deeply and peacefully. In the morning, both socks will be dry.

Remember – consult your physician before beginning any hydrotherapy treatments.

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