Nexus - 0110 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

by Susan O Neill efined as ‘the scientific application of water in the treatment of disease’, "HYDROTHERAPY" is derived from the Greek word HYDROS meaning ‘water’ and THERAPIS meaning ‘treatment’. Ancient Egyptians used hydrotherapy. We also know the famous Greek physician Hippecrates (460-359 BPE) practiced hydrotherapy in conjunction with massage. Austrian records describe its use dating back to 800 BPE. Because of the abundance of water in nature and in the human body, there can be little doubt that this element is ideal for therapeutic use, both internally and externally. There are many methods of application of Hydrotherapy, i.e. water is applied to the body in any of its three forms; liquid (water of varying temperatures), solid (ice), or gaseous (steam). The technique varies with conditions to be treated, but it is especially beneficial in cases of inflammation, expulsion of toxic body wastes. Typical medical applications include... Nervous problems - stress, insomnia, depression and anxiety. Blood & circulatory problems - high and low blood pressure, swollen legs and ankles due to fluid retention, heart weakness, varicose veins and arteriosclerosis to name a few. Rheumatism and arthritis, spinal pain, disk problems & gout. Metabolic problems - obesity, constipation, cellulitis, digestive disturbances, skin diseases and disorders. Respiratory problems - coughs, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis. Sports injuries and fitness management - sports-people worldwide can attest to the benefits of using spa baths and hydrotherapy techniques both before and after training and competition to improve performance and prevent injuries. Fortunately, you don’t have to be in a state of ‘dis-ease’ to use or benefit from hydrotherapy, and you can beneficially employ many of its forms at home, The two main divisions of use in hydrotherapy are cold, and hot water treatments. Cold water treatments are usually applied to acute or inflammatory conditions, whereas hot water treatments are generally indicated for more chronic (long-term) illnesses. Hydrotherapy can be applied in the form of poultices, sponging, ice pack, Turkish bath, hot packs, inhalations, natural baths (body temperature), hot or cold water full immersion baths, Epsom salts bath, oil, peat, sitz, foot and spa baths. The first ‘spa’ bath mat was created in 1909 by Dr Senator, a German physician. Since then, hundreds of books and medical reports have been written describing the ‘spa bath’ therapy treatment. Now hydrotherapy bath mats (like the Balsan 3) come as totally portable units which fit into any normal-sized bath, helping you gain control over your health. These produce millions of tiny bubbles which can be adjusted in strength, intensity etc depending on the application required. The Balsan 3 even has an OZONE BURNER UNIT inbuilt into its blower housing; this ozone enriches the water with oxygen. Ozone, an oxygen molecule with three oxygen atoms instead of two, is comparable in its physical and psychological effects to the fresh oxygen-rich air in a pine or rainforest after a Ly drother apy “mineral Tas thunderstorm! Its effect is invigorating, stimulating and refreshing. (See Healing With Oxygen on page 47) The massage created by the air bubbles as they rise through the water causes the small blood vessels in the dermal layer of the skin to dilate, and the ozone can then be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. The Ozone Bath Ozone and its applications in hyper-oxygenation or ozone therapy is being extensively researched and used in Europe and the USA, in the treatment of AIDS and cancer (among other so- called incurable diseases) with amazing results. Ozone is used extensively in Europe for sterilizing water in large-scale water treatment plants and swimming pools. As well as its obvious therapeutic effects, the addition of ozone into a hydrotherapy bath prevents the accumulation of bacteria in the bath water, bath mat and bubble tubes, Essential oils, therapeutic salts and herbal extracts can also be added to the water in combination with a bath mat. Ozone enrichment of the water also increases the feeling of remarkable vigor and well- being which the spa provides. Air and water are two of the most basic and important elements for life processes, and these can be combined in your home. Some mats also come equipped with a foot bath which can be used for a number of problems like migraine and circulatory disturbances or plain tired feet. The reflex zones on the feet are massaged by the air bubbles which are pumped through the water and ozone enrichment can be absorbed through the soles of the feet. Foot and hand bath therapy is used by many hydrotherapists and herbalists, like French herbalist Maurice Messegue, with extremely good results. iN] Enquiries for OZONE BATH MATS or Hydrotherapy... Nexus *10 32