Constitutional Hydrotherapy
Constitutional Hydrotherapy can help improve digestion, break down food and eliminate toxins.
What is Constitutional Hydrotherapy?
Our naturopathic medical center in Mendocino County is among the first in the area to offer constitutional hydrotherapy.
Constitutional hydrotherapy consists of a series of hot & cold compresses to the back, abdomen and chest while covered in warm, wool blankets. Gentle electrical stimulation is delivered to the abdomen and back in certain phases during the compresses.
This treatment stimulates the digestive tract, immune system, spinal column, kidneys and the respiratory system. Treatments can be catered to stimulate weakened systems for individualized health care treatments.
The constitutional hydrotherapy treatment improves the digestion and breakdown of food and enhances the mobilization and elimination of toxins. As toxins are eliminated, healthy function can once again exist.
Because of its ability to improve the overall nutrition of the individual and boost the immunity, constitutional hydrotherapy may be useful in almost any condition.
Constitutional Hydrotherapy has been found to be particularly suited for:
|
|
History of Constitutional Hydrotherapy
Stemming from modern hydrotherapy treatments that originated in Europe, the constitutional hydrotherapy treatment was developed and perfected by naturopathic physician, Dr. O.G. Carroll (1879-1962).
Dr. Carroll and his practice centered around this treatment that he had perfected by 1923 and which did not change for the next 40 years. Fortunately, the practice and principles of constitutional hydrotherapy have been preserved for this current generation of naturopathic physicians through the subsequent work of Drs. John Bastyr, Harold Dick, Leo Scott and Bill Carroll.
Goals and Principles of the Treatment
One of the principles of naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy is that health (and healing) is proportional to the normal flow of healthy blood, specifically referring to both the quantity and the quality of blood flowing through a given tissue. The treatment goal is to normalize the quantity of blood circulating through a given area or tissue during a given period of time, and to improve the overall quality of blood in the general circulation.
Medicine has long recognized the effects of water temperature on blood flow. For instance, hot water will relax a tight muscle and cold in the form of an ice pack can reduce swelling and inflammation.
Naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy further expounds upon these principles in order to:
- influence the quantity of blood flowing through a given tissue
- seeks to improve the quality of the blood circulating
Enhancing Blood Flow through the Organs
This is accomplished by enhancing blood flow through the organs of elimination
- skin
- liver
- lungs
- kidneys
- colon
- and deriving improved blood quality through the increased elimination of metabolic waste products.
Concomitant treatment, aimed at tonifying the organs of digestion and improving the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients into the blood, help to build up desirable blood elements such as oxygen, nutrients, optimize blood and immune cell populations, etc., further improving overall blood quality.
Viewing the blood as the vehicle conveying life to all cells (oxygen, nutrients, etc.), naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy manipulates the circulation in order to maximize the benefits of this process for overall health.
It enhances the immune response, improves overall nutrition, promotes detoxification and helps restore nervous equilibrium. Naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy works because it helps to optimize the quality of blood, while improving the efficiency of its circulation.
What to expect at your appointment
Hot and cold compresses will be applied to the chest, abdomen and back in conjunction with mild electrical stimulation to the back and abdomen. The procedure typically takes one hour. Multiple treatments may be advised based on your health needs.
Prepare for your first treatment
To prepare for your constitutional hydrotherapy, please:
- 24 hours prior to the treatment: please have three square meals (balanced in protein, carbohydrate and fat) and adequate water
- Do not consume large meals, sugary foods or refined carbohydrates immediately prior to the treatment
- Please remove any metal jewelry and piercings