OpinionOpinion
The use of hydrotherapy for healing has been practiced for
centuries by the ancient Iranians, Greeks, Chinese and ancient
Romans due to the unique properties of water. The use of hot springs
was common among the people of that time to relieve and reduce
all kinds of pain [1]. Today, different terms such as hydrotherapy
(hydrotherapy), aqua-therapy, pool therapy, water sports, etc. are
mentioned in different communities. Three important properties of
water that cause the main difference between exercise in water and
land:
1- Floating force, which causes weight loss in water. This weight
loss can occur up to 90% (water depth to the neck), for
example, a person who weighs 100 kg can lose up to 10 kg in
water, which is the weight loss that causes the joints to overlap
Reduce the pressure on them and relieve and reduce pain.
2- Viscosity or adhesion of water, this property of water, causes
water resistance against body movements and strengthens
various muscles. On the other hand, the force of water adhesion
helps maintain balance and reduces falls in the elderly. Various
studies have shown that one of the most important reasons
for the inactivity of the elderly on land is the fear of falling
and bone fractures, which makes water safe for the elderly to
exercise safely without any injuries or falls.
3- Hydrostatic pressure: It is the pressure that water puts on
different organs of the body simultaneously and causes the
return of blood from the lower extremities to the heart to
increase, and this improves the function of the heart and lungs,
so exercising in water Due to its light weight, weight loss and
easy and fast return of blood to the heart can be beneficial for
cardiopulmonary patients [2].
The skin of the body is an important and essential organ that is
stimulated by the collision of the skin’s nerve receptors and has a
positive effect on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
through the nerves, which ultimately calms the mind and reduces
stress. Numerous studies have shown that the stress factor is one
of the most important causes of cardiovascular disease, stroke
and eventually death, so exercising in water is a very good tool
to prevent these risks [3]. Also, exercise in water due to heat and
water resistance can consume up to about twice as many calories
in dry time and is very effective in weight loss. On the other hand,
due to weight loss in water, damage to various joints, including
the knees and back, is greatly reduced. Therefore, people who
are overweight or obese are strongly advised to exercise in order
to prevent knee wear and joint injuries [4]. Follow yourself in the
water until you reach your ideal weight. In addition to the benefits
mentioned above, various studies have shown the beneficial effects
of water exercise in reducing harmful blood fats, regulating blood
sugar in diabetics, modulating blood pressure in hypertensive
people, reducing joint pain such as rheumatoid arthritis, improving
neurological disorders. Parkinson’s and MS have been shown to
reduce depressive symptoms and increase life expectancy [2].
Lumbar disc injury can be considered as an important
complication of the 21st century. Many people in the lower to
upper age range suffer from lumbar disc herniation due to various
causes such as inactivity, obesity and overweight, unprincipled
and intense exercise, poor nutrition, and various accidents. This
complication is associated with severe and unbearable pain in
the more severe stages. Unfortunately, today, surgery has become
popular because in most cases, the results are not satisfactory, and
with the examinations performed on these patients, it can be said
that surgery is not the complete end of back pain. My advice after
years of experience in hydrotherapy and working in specialized
hydrotherapy centers and dealing with patients with lumbar disc
disease before and after surgery is to refrain from surgery as long as
they can still walk, and instead, consult your doctor for at least one
to three months (three times a week) under hydrotherapy and rest.
It should be noted that even after surgery, hydrotherapy courses
should be used for postoperative rehabilitation, so it is better to do
this before surgery. Due to the properties of water and its beneficial
mechanisms for people mentioned above, hydrotherapy can be very
effective and miraculously in reducing back pain caused by lumbar
disc herniation [5]. Numerous feedbacks from such patients with
me as well as research in this field are proof of this claim.
Therefore, surgery should be the last resort. Todays, use of
other pool facilities such as sauna (dry and steam), Jacuzzi and cold
water pool can also be considered as hydrotherapy supplements.
The general public may consider the use of saunas as a means of
weight loss, which is a misconception. When people use the sauna,
especially dry ones, they lose a lot of body water, and when they
drink water again, this water is replaced. The benefits of using
saunas include its positive effects in increasing relaxation, reducing
muscle spasms, opening skin pores, improving the airways and
increasing blood flow. Jacuzzi and cold water pool also help relieve
bruises and fatigue. Of course, the use of Jacuzzi, cold water and
saunas should be observed in accordance with safety principles,
and the elderly, patients with cardiovascular failure, people with
respiratory problems and patients with neurological disorders
should not use. It is also not advisable to use hydrotherapy in
people with open wounds and infections until they have healed.
People with cardiovascular failure and endocrine disorders should
consult their doctor for hydrotherapy.
References
- Wong E (2011) Swim to Recovery: Canine Hydrotherapy Healing: Veloce Publishing Ltd.
- Chowdhury RS, Daharul Islam, Khaleda Akter, Mohammad Abdus Sattar Sarkar, Tanima Roy, et al. (2021) Therapeutic Aspects of Hydrotherapy: A Review. Bangladesh Journal of Medicine 32(2): 138-141.
- Pérez-de la Cruz S (2020) Influence of an aquatic therapy program on perceived pain, stress, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients: a randomized trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(13): 4796.
- Khanjari Y, R Garooei (2020) The effect of a water jogging exercise course on older men with knee osteoarthritis.
- Khanjari Y, JF Kalkhoran (2021) The Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Low Back Pain as for Herniated Disc in Elderly Men. Journal of Spine Research and Surgery 2: 023-029.
