Hydrotherapy is the term used for using water to maintain health or treat disease by stimulating the body’s own healing capacity. This natural technique has been used for thousands of years in cultures all over the world. You’ve likely used it yourself: Ice for a sore muscle, a warm bath after a long day,  a cold washcloth to cool a loved one’s forehead during the flu. Hydrotherapy in the form of an ice bath is used by elite athletes from NFL teams to Tour De France riders due to its ability to speed recovery. Water is a simple but powerful tool to restore balance and promote healing. 

Here at Nova Clinic, our constitutional hydrotherapy treatment uses a series of hot and cold towels applied to the chest and back. For certain patients, a sine wave (electrical stimulation) may be used to enhance the treatment. Naturopathic physicians have used constitutional hydrotherapy for promoting overall health and immune system strength for hundreds of years. 

What to expect

When you arrive for your hydrotherapy session we will take vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. You will have privacy to remove your upper garments. Ladies can wear a swimsuit or sports bra, if they wish. Men will remove their shirt. Pants and socks will be left on. You will get comfortable on our treatment table and cover with a  sheet for privacy. We will dim the lights and play soothing music during your session. Essential oils may be diffused, but let our staff know if you have any preferences or sensitivities before we begin. If a sine wave is to be used, we will place electrodes (basically a non-latex sticker with a wire coming out) on your back and stomach area. When we use the sine wave, you will decide what level of intensity to use; it’s not painful and is in fact relaxing! You will lie down, with a soft pillow supporting your head. We will begin placing towels on your chest, starting with hot. After application of the hot towel, you will be cocooned  in a wool blanket to preserve the heat, inducing mild sweating. The hot water causes blood vessels to dilate. We will follow with the application of a cold towel and again wrap you in a blanket until your body heat warms the towel. The change from hot to cold causes vasoconstriction, then as your body heat gradually warms the towel, your blood vessels will dilate. We will repeat this process, alternating hot, cold or room temperature water several times. You will then lie on your stomach and the process will be repeated on your back. The alternating hot and cold, vasodilation to vasoconstriction, essentially creates a pump. The water temperature changes assist in altering the rate of blood flow and lymphatic fluid in the body. This initiates a cycle of carrying away metabolic and other waste products from cellular and tissue detoxification, followed by a flow of nutrient-rich, well-oxygenated blood through the tissue and vital organs such as the liver, kidney, adrenals, intestines, and lungs.

Who Can It Help?

Hydrotherapy is used to treat a wide range of health concerns. It has been used to treat patients with adrenal fatigue, constipation, gastrointestinal overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, arthritis, pneumonia, IBS, insomnia, hypertension, diabetes, recurring infections, colds and flu, and nervous system disorders, to name a few. Adding in series of weekly or monthly constitutional hydrotherapy sessions to your existing naturopathic protocol can increase the speed at which your body heals itself. The treatment is gentle and can be used for virtually all patients, both young and old.

What Is the Cost?

Hydrotherapy sessions are $65 and last approximately 60-70 minutes. Packages are available for 5 sessions for the price of 4 at $260, and 10 sessions for the price of 8 at $650. Packages expire 1 year after purchase. Full payment of packages due at the time of the first appointment. If you are currently on an Annual Membership plan, please ask about our special Member rates and discounts!