Student/Therapist Resources

Chapter 5: Understanding the Key Elements of Hydrotherapy Treatments

Key Concepts

• Hydrotherapy treatments and programs can be easy to develop, can be affordable in range from least expensive to most expensive, depending on the program. See Figure 5.1 below.
  
  
• Understand the key elements that are common to all hydrotherapy treatments presented in Chapter 7, which include the
  Client, Therapist, Product, Equipment, Water, Step-by-step Instructions, Facility. The chapter also presents an overview of the different types of hydrotherapy treatment and how to create a combination of treatments (package) that include hydrotherapy treatments as well as a series of treatments that include hydrotherapy treatments
  
   
• The Hydrotherapy Treatment Formula. How is the total beneficial outcome a hydrotherapy treatment effected by the quality of each of the key elements of a hydrotherapy treatment? What is meant by the ancient saying that, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts"?  Refer to Figure 5-2 Hydrotherapy Treatment Formula 
  
  Each of the key elements of a hydrotherapy treatment

Client

• Each client has several different health & wellness goals.
• Client interview, it is possible to determine what are the specific health & wellness goals of each client.
• Exercise: Using the Client Interview Form (Figure 7.1), have each student list their own health & wellness goals. Client Interview Form Link

Therapist

• The role of the Therapist in a hydrotherapy treatment and why a therapists is important compared to more robotic hydrotherapy equipment which is is intended to take the place of a therapist.
• Why therapists from most professions can use hydrotherapy to benefit their clients.

Products          (see Hydrotherapy Product Resource Guide Link)

• Natural products play a role in most hydrotherapy treatments, including herbs, oils and minerals.

Hydrotherapy Equipment               (see Hydrotherapy Equipment Resource Guide Link)

• The different types of hydrotherapy equipment available for hydrotub, steam, shower and hydromassage treatments and suggestions to find different sources of hydrotherapy equipment.

Water

• The source of water used for a hydrotherapy treatment in the hydrosphere, for example the water comes from local aquifers. This water is then processed by the municipal treatment plants in your area. Once water reaches a spa or wellness facility, the water is transformed for use in a hydrotherapy treatment. For example, for a heating hydrotub treatment, water must first be heated and then a hydrotub must be filled with the heated water. Products can then be added to water further transform the water that will come into contact with the client.
• The water used during hydrotherapy treatments, behaves according to the principles of the behavior of water, discussed in Chapter 1. The changes in the behavior of water inside the human body, as a result of the hydrotherapy treatment, also are according to the same basic principles of the behavior of water.

Facility

• Hydrotherapy treatments are done in a spa or wellness facility and usually in a special room designed for hydrotherapy treatments.  
• The design and decor of the facility and hydrotherapy treatment room can enhance the total benefit from hydrotherapy treatments.  

Steps of the Treatment (Technique)

• Every hydrotherapy treatment presented in Chapter 7, follows specific a step-by-step process. The generally includes the following steps: Pre-Treatment, Beginning of Treatment, Treatment, End of the Treatment, Post-Treatment.
• Therapists must be properly trained in the steps for performing a specific type of hydrotherapy treatment on a specific type of hydrotherapy equipment.
• The effects of a specific type of hydrotherapy treatment can be changed by changing, for example, the duration of the treatment, products used during the treatment, or water or steam temperature. The point here is, that the effects and benefits of a specific type of hydrotherapy treatment can be modified by changes in the key elements of the treatment. Therapists, by using their creative skills, knowledge of natural products and experience of doing a specific type of treatment, can further enhance a treatment to benefit a client.

Designing a Hydrotherapy Program

• Hydrotherapy program can be a single hydrotherapy treatment or hydrotherapy treatment that is part of a "package" (combination of treatments).  
• Most spa and wellness programs, including hydrotherapy treatments and programs, are part of a series of treatments at regular intervals over an extended period of time. A series of treatments generally necessary for the client to achieve their intended health & wellness goals.
• Today, many clients, with help of professional advice and programs at health & wellness centers, have their own holistic health & wellness program. Hydrotherapy treatments and programs can be a beneficial part of a personal health & wellness program which will often include hydrotherapy treatments and programs for use at home by the client.
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Hydrotherapy Treatments

• There are different general categories of hydrotherapy treatments and as well as specific hydrotherapy treatments for each category. Seer Figure 5-3 Hydrotherapy Treatments

Special Program for Hydrotherapy

• There are some hydrotherapy treatments and programs that require special training by approved education providers, including: 
  WATSU®  (See photo: WATSU®  courtesy of Grace Jull)
  Aquatic Integration
  Kneipp® Holistic Health Program
  Aquatic Therapy Pools
  Ayurveda
  Colon Therapy

Additional suggested Study, Research and Teaching Exercises

Teaching Exercise
Internet Educational Resource: 

Using the Client Interview Form Link, create an example of a client with specific health & wellness goals. Next, design a hydrotherapy treatment for the client and design a "package" (combination) of treatments that include a hydrotherapy treatment. Next, design a series of treatment or packages of treatments, including a spa treatment that occur at regular intervals over a specific time period.