Hydrotherapy Methods
Taken from the book “The Healing Wonders of Water by Dr. Ladion

Cold Compress

Definition: A cloth wrung from cold or ice water which may be applied to any part of the body surface.

Effects:

1. Relieves pain due to edema or trauma

2. Prevents and relieves head congestion

3. Slows heart rate if applied over the heart

4. Constricts blood vessels, decreasing local blood flow

5. Decreases tendency to bleed due to vaso- constriction

6. Lowers body temperature when applied over the least one fourth of body surface, or when applied on the forehead or nape

7. Stops nosebleed when applied on the nasal area

Indications:

1. Acute trauma and edema in sprain, bruises, and strain, right after injury.

2. Head congestion when applied on the forehead and with hot foot bath

3. Superficial bleeding applied with pressure

4. Fevers and convulsions in children

5. Headache due to had congestions. Do not apply on forehead if headache is due to sinusitis

6. Nosebleed

Things Needed:

1. Wash cloth or face towel o any clean piece of cloth. The size should be proportionate to the area to be treated. For convulsions use bath towels.

2. A basin of ice water, 2/3 full.

3. One bath towel.

Procedure:

1. Wring compress cloth from ice water. Be sure it does not drip
2. Apply snugly to the area to be treated.
3. Change or renew compress every 2-3 minutes.
4. Treatment time: for decongestion – 20- 30 minutes; for fever—continuously, or as long as there is fever
5. At the end of the treatment, dry body part thoroughly with the towel and avoid chilling.

• Be sure water does not drip and compress is renewed oftener when there is fever

Hot Compress

Definition: The application of heat to a small area with hot gauze or hot compress cloth

Effects:

1. Increases circulation locally

2. Relieves pain

3. Relieves congestion

Indications:

1. Infected wounds

2. Boils and abscesses

3. Swollen areas in sensitive parts like eyes, ears. Etc.

4. Sprains, contusions and strains after 24 hours of injury

5. Painful areas; any muscular areas

Things Needed:

1. A basin of hot water, (104F) or as hot as can be tolerated

2. Gauze or compress cloth (face towel) or any clean piece of cloth

3. Solution as per order. May use boiled guava leaves in case of infected wound

4. Old newspaper for used dressings

5. Baby oil or cream (use only for eye compress)

Procedure:

1. Boil water or guava leaves if compress is for infected wounds.

2. Apply baby oil on the forehead and eyelids if compress is to be applied on the eyes

3. Wring compress from hot water or hot solution. Partially twist the compress holding it on both ends. Dip the compress into the hot water or solution and twist it tightly, pulling the two ends apart, thus squeezing the water out.

4. Apply compress directly on the area to be treated without pressure

5. Compress must be changed frequently at least every 3 minutes. In case of infected wound, discard the used compress cloth or gauze. Use it only once. Do not dip the used compress the second time.

6. Continue compress for 15- 20 minutes, renewing it every 3 minutes. Keep the water or solution hot at all times during the treatment.

7. At the end of treatment, remove hot compress and dry treated area

8. Apply medication or ointment as ordered by physician in cases of infected wound, boils, and ulcers.

9. Apply sterile dressing and keep dry

Precaution:

• Do not apply hot compress when there is a tendency to bleed

Heating Compress

Definition: A mild, prolonged application of moist heat of several hours duration.

Effects:

1. Relaxes muscle

2. Relieves pain of throat or rheumatic joints

3. Relieves abdominal discomfort (use moist abdominal bandage)

4. Reduces joint inflammation

5. A mild heating effect

Indications: 

1. Pharyngitis and laryngitis

2. Tonsillitis

3. Whooping cough

4. Rheumatic joint paints

5. Constipation (use abdominal bandage)

Things Needed:

1. A piece of cotton cloth, folded for moderate thickness, about two inches wide and long enough to wrap around the neck or joint twice. A lady’s hankie (small size and thin), folded lengthwise, will do, if to be applied on the throat.

2. A piece of flannel cloth, about four inches wide and long enough to wrap about the joint or neck. A baby’s flannel blanket or diaper, folded lengthwise, will be just right for the two knees.

3. Two safety pins

4. If medicated compress is ordered, use the medication prescribed. Vicks Vaporub ointment may be used.

Procedure:

1. Soak cloth with tap water. Wring and put around the neck or joint twice. Be sure the wet cloth is neither too wet to drip nor too dry. If medicated compress is applied, rub area with the prescribed medication or ointment. Do not wet the cloth with the water but wrap the cloth around the area dry after the medication is applied. (In applying a plain heating compress, wet cloth is applied without medication).

2. Apply compress smoothly and quickly to avoid chilling.

3. With the piece of flannel cloth, wrap compress snugly to exclude air and pin securely on the side of the neck or joint.

4. Leave compress on overnight or at least for 6- 8 hours.

5. Take care that the compress is not too tight so it does not interfere with circulation and joint movements.

6. Rub the area with a cloth wrung out of cold water (tap water) immediately after removing the compress in the morning or after 6-8 hours.

7. Dry the area thoroughly. Compress may be applied once or twice a day.

Note: It is best to apply a heating compress at night just before retiring.

Hot and Cold Bath for Arm or Leg

Definition: The immersion of the arm or leg alternately in hot and cold water

Effects:

1. Increase blood flow locally and distally

2. Hastens healing for unhealed ulcers

3. Hastens removal of waste products

4. Relieves congestions and edema after the traumatic conditions

5. Increases oxidation and elimination of bacterial toxins

6. Increases calcification of callus in healing fractures

Indications:

1. Sprains, strains and trauma, 48 hours after the injury.

2. Congestive headache

3. Poor or impaired venous circulation, “cold feet”

4. Infected wounds with swelling

5. After cast is removed in fracture with joint stiffness and edema.

6. Swelling due to trauma or contusions

Things Needed:

1. Two large pails or 2 kerosene cans

2. One “tabo” or small can to draw water from the pail

3. One towel or clean piece of cloth to wipe feet

4. One kettle of boiling water

5. Ice or cold water

6. Boiled guava leaves solution in cases of infected wound. (Use salt water solution if guava leaves are not available. Proportion: ½ cup of salt to 3 gallons of water)

Procedure:

1. Boil water

2. Remove bandages and dressings if there are any

3. Fill up one pail or kerosene can ¼ (one- fourth) full of hot water, as hot as can be tolerated. Fill up the other pail or kerosene can with cold water and ice cubes, if available. Water should be deep enough to submerge the affected area but not too deep to overflow during the treatment

4. Seat the patient on a chair and place the affected leg or arm into the hot water for 3 minutes.

5. Remove the affected leg or arm from the hot water and immerse into the cold water for one minute.

6. Continue alternating for 25 minutes, making 6 immersions each into hot and cold water. End the bath in cold water.

7. Dry thoroughly, specially between the toes and fingers

8. Wrap the joint with bandage in case of a sprained ankle. Apply dressing and ointment in case of open wound. Apply medication prescribed by the physician.

9. Repeat 3-4 times a day until condition is improved.
    

Fever Sponge Bath

Definition: A sponge bath given to a person with fever

Effects:

1. Reduces fever or lowers body temperature

2. Sedative effects

Things Needed:

1. Basin of water – temperature as indicated

2. Sheet or blanket to cover patient

3. Two bath towels

4. One face towel or washcloth

5. Ice cubes as indicated

6. Alcohol

Indications:

1. Hot Sponge Bath is given to patients with very high fever but whose skin of legs and arms are cold. Water for sponge bath is as hot as can be tolerated. The sponge bath should be done fast and with friction to encourage blood to the surface. Sponge may be repeated after 1 or 2 hours if fever persists.
   
   Procedure:
   
   a) Make the patient comfortable.Remove clothing and cover with a sheet or blanket. Close windows to avoid drafts.
   
   b) Protect the bed with the towels as each part is being sponged. Put one bath towel across the chest and sponge the face, ears, and neck. Dry the areas that had been sponged with the towel across the chest.
   
   c) Sponge one part at a time in the following order: arms, chest, abdomen, legs, feet and back. For the arm or leg, spread the towel under the whole length of the arm or leg while it is being sponged. Rub skin briefly with the face towel to draw blood n the surface. Dry each part after the sponge to avoid chilling. Be sure the patient is dry before replacing clothing and covers. Hot drinks (calamansi juice) may be offered to encourage perspiration.
    

2. Cold Sponge Bath is used in cases where the skin is dry and hot. Cold water is used for sponge bath but in case where skin is burning hot, ice cubes may be put in the water. Avoid chilling patient. A cold compress on the forehead or armpits may be placed while the sponge is being done. Chilling with shivering will cause the temperature to rise. Sponge may be repeated or prolonged until the desired effects are obtained, or until the fever goes down.
   
   Fever Sponge Bath:
   
   Procedure:

   a) Remove clothing and cover the patient with sheet or blanket. Place cold compress on the forehead and armpits. Renew compress as often as you can.
   b) Sponge one part at a time, in the same order as the hot sponge bath. Friction is used to bring blood to surface and to increase the rate of circulation to hasten the cooling process. The skin may be left slightly moist, fan lightly with the towel till skin is dry. Evaporation lowers body temperature. Hot lemonade may be given.

    

3. Tepid Sponge Bath is given to restless and very tensed patient with fever it has a sedative effect, relaxing, the patient. Water temperature is 94-98F, or comfortably warm if tested with the elbow. This time there should be no friction or rubbing on the skin. Sponge and dry skin very gently with very little rubbing. Prolong the treatment for relaxing effect and to allow more evaporation.
   
   Procedures:
   
   a) Remove clothing and cover patient with sheet or blanket. Room should be quiet and dim. No glaring lights.
   
   b) Sponge one part at a time, in the same manner as the hot sponge bath. Dry patient well with a very gentle rub. A gentle alcohol rub on the back may be given after the sponge.
    

4. Saline Sponge Bath is given to the patient who is inactive and sleeps most of the time. Saline or salt bath has a mild tonic or stimulating effect. It makes the patient active. Water temperature should be 96- 1000F or a little bit warmer than the tepid sponge. One half (1/2) cup of salt is added to a basin of water. Sponge with friction and repeat till desired effect is obtained.
   
   Procedure:
   
   a) Sponge in the same manner as the cold sponge bath.
    

Hot Foot Bath

Definition: A local immersion bath covering the feet, ankles and legs.

Effects:

1. Relieves head, chest and pelvic congestions by the drawing of blood from those areas to the legs and feet.

2. Stops nosebleed

3. Relieves pain and spasms of the feet and legs

4. Induces sweating in case of fever – lowers body temperature

5. Relieves muscle cramps by relaxing the uterine spasm

6. Relieves headache

7. Relaxes the whole body

Indications: 

1. Sprains and contusions 24 hours after the injury

2. Chills and fevers

3. Head and chest colds

4. Menstrual cramps

5. Muscle spasm, especially on the feet and legs

6. Swollen leg or feet due to injury or contusions

Things Needed:

1. One kerosene can or plastic pail

2. One small basin

3. One large “kaserola” or kettle of boiling water

4. Chair or stool

5. Compress cloth or face towel

6. Pitcher or dipper

7. Old newspaper if done in bed

8. Bath towel

9. One blanket

Procedure:

1. Close windows and doors. If done in the bathroom, the patient should be seated on a chair. If the patient is too weak to sit, patient may lie down and be treated in bed.

2. Remove clothing of patient, and drape with blanket

3. Assist patient’s feet into the pail or basin of water. Water is ankle deep to start with. Temperature should be as hot as can be tolerated

4. Apply cold compress to the forehead or on the nape if compress is small.

5. Add hot water. In adding hot water to the foot tub, push the patient’s feet to one side and place your hand between the feet and the stream of water. Increase the water temperature to patient’s heat tolerance.

6. Continue adding hot water for 20-30 minutes, renewing cold compress every 2-3 minutes. Don’t let the water cool off.

7. At the end of the treatment lift the feet from the water and pour cold water over them.

8. Give hot and cold shower if patient is strong. Give warm sponge bath if done in bed.

9. Dry patient and keep him comfortable. Let patient rest till he stops perspiring.

Steam Inhalation

Definition: Inhalation of warm, moist air into the mucus membranes and respiratory tract.

Effects:

1. Relieves inflammation and congestions of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract

2. Relieves irritation (throat tickle) by moistening the air

3. Loosens secretions and stimulates expectorations

4. Relieves spasmodic breathing

5. Relaxes muscles and thus relieves coughing

6. Prevents excessive dryness of the mucous membranes
   
   

Indications:

1. Head colds with feeling of stuffiness and excessive nose drainage

2. Bronchitis or chest cold with harsh, dry cough

3. Spasmodic breathing and coughing; croup tent is indicated

4. Dry mucous membranes

5. Throat irritation (throat tickle)

6. Congested and inflamed mucous membranes of the respiratory tract

Things Needed:

1. Boiling water in a kettle with a spout. An empty juice can may serve the purpose

2. Hot plate or gas stove or local stove using charcoal

3. Vicks Vaporub ointment or tincture of Benzoin or Camphor oil for good smelling sensation

4. Old newspaper

5. Umbrella if tent is to be used

6. Sheets

7. Paper Bag

Procedure:

1. Fill up kettle with water just below the level of the spout, and bring the water to boiling point. Add one tsp. of medication (Vicks or Benzoin) into the boiling water.

2. Carry the stove and the kettle with caution near the bed-side patient, if the patient is unable to stand or sit on the chair

3. If a croup tent is indicated, open an umbrella over the head of the patient and cover it with a sheet to form a tent.

4. With the newspaper make a cylindrical tube to direct the steam into the tent away from the patient’s face.

5. If the patient is able to sit on the chair, he may sit near the stove in the kitchen. With the cylindrical tube of paper the steam is directed into the patient’s face for inhalation.

6. Treatment time: 30 minutes to one hour, morning and evening, as tolerated

Precautions:

1. Avoid all risks of burning

2. Avoid drafts during time of treatment. Close windows near the patient

3. Extra care must be observed when giving treatment to children and restless patients to avoid scalding.

SOURCE: Healing Wonders of Water
Guide of effective hydrotherapy