Thousands of people came to the small town where Prisnitz lived, in order to make sure of the benefits of hydrotherapy, and among them some ardent defenders of this method of treatment appeared, for example, Professor Wilhelm Winternitz (1835-1917). He became the first who started the course of hydrotherapy at the University of Vienna in 1892.
But only thanks to the efforts of Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897), hydrotherapy is currently known worldwide as a method of treatment. Kneipp since childhood was painfully very interested in the discoveries of Prisnitsa, he began to take cold baths (despite the fact that the low temperatures of the German winter are more suggestive of the hot tincture). On his own experience, Kneipp was convinced that this has a strengthening effect on the body, and the small town of Bad Herrenhalb was transformed into the most famous hydrotherapy center in the world. It still remains a place where thousands of people are healthy.
The effect of hydrotherapy on the circulatory system
- Hydrotherapy is based on the action of hot and cold water on the body. The thermal effect that water produces on different parts of the body is obvious, and especially with regard to the circulatory system.
- Any stimulation of the skin causes a response in shallow vessels and as a reflex action, at deeper levels of our body.
- Under the influence of cold water, the vessels narrow. And their subsequent expansion is much more effective than if it was achieved by the use of hot water.
- Mechanical stimulation: a jet of water pressures produce a massage that activates the blood circulation.
- Stimulation with hydrostatic pressure: submerging feet in water, its pressure facilitates the return of venous blood to the heart. It is necessary to remove feet from the water gradually, especially if they were for a short time, because a change in pressure may cause the blood flow to the brain to suddenly die, causing dizziness.
Hydrotherapy Techniques
You can use a cold bath to stimulate blood circulation and eliminate the following symptoms: heaviness, swelling and burning sensation in the legs. There are several methods of hydrotherapy:
- Washing the lower part of the body: swipe the skin up to the hips soaked in cold water and then wrung out the towel.
- Wrap legs: moisten in cold water a towel made from different fabrics (for example, cotton, linen, wool) and wrap iminogi. So they absorb the heat of the feet and give you quick relief.
- Cold foot baths: hold your feet 20 seconds in cold water (15-18 degrees). The body should be covered when you dig your feet into the water.
- Baths with variable temperature: alternately keep your feet cold (15-18 degrees) and hot (38-42 degrees) water. It is important that the temperature of the hot water is not higher than this, otherwise you can get burned.
- Hovering in the water: immerse your feet in a wide basin of cold water. Standing, lift one leg and again lower it into the pelvis. Then do the same with the other leg. The effect will be much more pronounced if you dissolve in water effervescent tablets or large sea salt. You very quickly feel relief.
Tips for hydrotherapy sessions
- Never use cold water if it's frozen hard.
- When you finish the stimulation with cold water, quickly wipe with a towel and dress. Choose clothes from natural fabrics.
- Always hold hydrotherapy sessions before eating the food.
- If you feel dizzy or have an unpleasant sensation, stop the water routine immediately.
- If you have high blood pressure or suffer from cardiovascular diseases, before you start the hydrotherapy sessions, talk to your doctor.
Be healthy!