Therapeutic Bath
The Therapeutic Bath
Affects of Different Temperature Baths
Warm Water (100°F) - For absorbing dissolved
nutrientsA bath of warm
(100°F )
water will draw blood
into the skin surface creating the longest duration of dermal capillary
circulation - Herbal and essential oil ingredients in the
water are most easily absorbed into the capillaries when the blood is drawn into
the surface of the skin.
WARM/NEUTRAL baths can be up
to 45 minutes duration.
WARM baths of 98 -
100 °F are generally soothing, safe and effective.
COOL (below 85F) /COLD (below 70F) - Boost immune
systemCOOL and
COLD water baths will act to
stimulate an immune response - creating a strong
heating reflex in the body. COOL baths below 85
°F should generally be no more
than 5 minutes duration and should not be uncomfortable after the initial mild
shock of temperature change to the skin.
COLD water baths below 70 °F
are NOT recommended for home use.
HOT (110-112F) - Eliminate
toxins / Soothing
Contraindications of HOT bath
- Since baths stimulate
circulation, the following people should
not use
HOT
water (> 105 °F) treatments:
• Persons with
internal or external bleeding;
•
Infants and young children, pregnant women, the elderly and infirm.
Several minutes of
HOT
(110-112 °F)
immersion, wrapping or
spray increases collagen extensibility and decreases joint pain and stiffness - a comfort for arthritis and rheumatism, stiffness/sore muscles due
to overexertion or strain, fatigue, sport or back injury
Ideal for a hand, foot, arm, shoulder, etc.
Unheated parts of the body balance the higher
heating of a single part through blood flow.
Massage and manipulation after collagen softening will stretch the joint tissue resulting in "residual extension" of the
connective tissue - allowing more comfort in movement with a decrease of pain.
WARM to
HOT
bath, HOT
compress, or
HOT
water bottle
also brings relief to muscle spasms and cramps -by encouraging
blood flow to eliminate lactic acid and toxin waste buildup from the muscle
cells.
A WARM
to HOT
bath will calm
nervousness, increase blood flow to nourish tissue and relax tension -
Gentle massage
with fingertips over cramping muscle areas will help stimulate blood circulation
and release nervous blockage.
A 'sitz' bath covering
the lower abdomen up to the navel is good for abdominal organ and lower back
complaints.
Local
HOT
compresses over skin eruptions, or full /local
HOT
baths resolve eruptions, exudates and edema - by drawing
exudates and stimulate the resolution of infections, boils, and other eruptions
through the skin. Swellings due to edema are reduced through blood flow activity
which eliminates toxin and fluid buildup in the affected area. A hot bath will
relax muscle tension which in turn releases the constrictions on the nerves and
vessels which run through them. The released flow of energy and fluid brings
relief to the body.
Elimination of Toxins
from Cells - Local hot applications and partial and full baths stimulate the
cells to eliminate toxins into the bloodstream and out of the system. Heat
increases metabolism in the cells and also resolution blood flow through the
tissue. This increase in cell metabolism encourages the elimination of toxins
into the bloodstream. Toxins that are accumulated in the fatty layers under the
skin are metabolized and released. The sweat glands of the skin become very
active in hyperthermia and a great amount of toxins are eliminated through the
skin. The blood flowing through the surface capillaries is able to discharge
toxins from other parts of the body through the skin and out of the system. The
body is also able to purge itself of invading virus, through a process called
"viral shedding," as hyperthermia creates an artificial fever to eliminate
pathogens from the system through the skin. The skin is the body's first line of
defense against invading organisms and harbors over fifty percent of the immune
systems killer T-cells. The stimulation of the skin in the thermal bath calls
these defenders into action which makes the bath a vital part of the fight
against cold and flu germs.
Rest a
while after therapeutic bath Therapeutic bath should be followed by a half-hour bed rest period
- allowing the natural healing reflex of the
body to continue.
