Hydrotherapy

Not to be confused with Aquatic therapy, water-based exercise and physical therapy.
"Hydropathy" redirects here. For the chemistry concept, see Hydropathy index.

Hydrotherapy
Hubbard tub with wooden patient lift
ICD-9-CM93.31-93.33
MeSHD006875
This article is part of a series on
Alternative medicine
General information
Fringe medicine and science
Controversies
Classifications
Traditional medicine
Alternative diagnoses

Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy and also called water cure,[1] is a branch of alternative medicine (particularly naturopathy), occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment. The term encompasses a broad range of approaches and therapeutic methods that take advantage of the physical properties of water, such as temperature and pressure, to stimulate blood circulation, and treat the symptoms of certain diseases.[2]

Various therapies used in the present-day hydrotherapy employ water jets, underwater massage and mineral baths (e.g. balneotherapy, Iodine-Grine therapy, Kneipp treatments, Scotch hose, Swiss shower, thalassotherapy) or whirlpool bath, hot Roman bath, hot tub, Jacuzzi, and cold plunge.

  1. ^ Stevenson, Angus, ed. (2007). "Definition of Water Cure". Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Vol. 2: N-Z (6th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 3586. ISBN 978-0-19-920687-2.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference ISPAonhydrotherapy2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).