Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water and 'therapy' meaning treatment, is a part of alternative medicine, particularly of naturopathy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment.
Pronunciation
Hydrotherapy is pronounced as /ˌhaɪdrəˈθɛrəpi/.
Etymology
The term 'hydrotherapy' is derived from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water, and 'therapy' meaning treatment. It was first used in English in the 19th century, although the practice of using water for therapeutic purposes dates back to ancient times.
Definition
Hydrotherapy involves the use of water in the treatment of different conditions, including arthritis and related rheumatic complaints. It is different from swimming because it involves special exercises that you do in a warm-water pool. The water temperature is usually 33–36ºC.
Related Terms
- Aquatic Therapy: A physical therapy that is performed in the water. It uses the resistance of water instead of weights.
- Balneotherapy: Treatment of disease by bathing, usually practiced at spas. While it is considered distinct from hydrotherapy, there are some overlaps in practice and in underlying principles.
- Thalassotherapy: A form of hydrotherapy that involves the use of seawater or products derived from seawater.
- Physiotherapy: A treatment method that focuses on the science of movement and helps people to restore, maintain and maximize their physical strength, function, motion and overall well-being by addressing the underlying physical issues.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hydrotherapy
- Wikipedia's article - Hydrotherapy
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