THE HEALING POWER OF WATER
Image courtesy of Yoann Boyer (Unsplash)
Water covers the face of the Earth and comprises over 60% of our body's weight. Without it, we would cease to exist as a human race. The use of water for its healing properties is known as hydrotherapy. Today, I will introduce you to Father Sebastian Kneipp, "The Father of Hydrotherapy," who used water to cure thousands of people of many ailments, including tuberculosis.
Sebastian Kneipp was a Bavarian priest who lived and worked in Bad Worishofen, Germany. During his 28th year of life, a young Sebastian contracted tuberculosis, considered fatal in the 19th century. Kneipp stumbled upon a book by Dr. Johann Hahn that described the healing power of water. Sebastian extracted enough information from the book and created his protocol to cure himself of his tuberculosis. Father Kneipp would run down to the Danube River several times a week, strip off his clothes, and dive into its icy waters. He would then redress and re-warm his body. By all accounts, the intermittent exposure to this cold water had boosted his immune system and returned him to good health.
Over the next 25 years, Father Kneipp continued experimenting on himself and others who were either turned away from or could not afford to see a doctor. Various treatments included cold water immersion, hot or steam baths, and herbal compresses. Father Kneipp shared these modalities in a book titled My Water Cure. Father Kneipp died on June 17th, 1897, at 76, in Bad Worishofen, Germany.
Hydrotherapy is " The use of water to revitalize, maintain, and restore health." Types of hydrotherapy include saunas, steam baths, whirlpools, and hot and cold compresses. Father Kneipp believed that alternating hot and cold water could cure disease by removing toxins from the body. This treatment creates a distinct physiological response in the body. Cool water causes the skin's superficial blood vessels to constrict, redirecting blood to the internal organs where the liver and kidneys filter it. Hot water will dilate these same blood vessels, which aids in removing the toxins via sweat and perspiration. This method will also decrease general inflammation. Let's look at a modern example of Father Kneipp's water cure.
On a recent trip to Bryson City, North Carolina, Judy and I stayed in a VRBO property that included a hot tub on the outdoor patio. It had been several years since I was in a whirlpool, and I decided to take advantage of this amenity to melt the soreness from my muscles. I did this regimen for the two nights we stayed.
Image courtesy of the VRBO property listing
As I stepped in, the water temperature was tepid at 100 degrees. With my head above water, I sank into the ergonomically shaped seat and turned the jets on high. Fifteen minutes quickly passed as I marveled at the view of the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance. Upon exit from the tub, my spirit felt lighter as all my cares and concerns disappeared. The water's warmth and the mountains' healing energy made for an excellent present-centered experience. Not everyone has access to or owns a hot tub (myself included), but a bathtub is a great alternative. If doing the home soak, turn on meditation music, add Epsom salts, and feel the stress fade away.
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Always consult your primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or naturopathic doctor before making significant changes to your health and wellness routine especially for those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or pregnancy. The following image offers general rules for hot tub safety you can also apply to bathtub use.
Courtesy of Google Images
Hydrotherapy is yet another protocol you can add to your recovery toolbox (thanks to Beth Shekinah Terrence for this term), especially if you are active. Given this, please be mindful not to soak too long. If your doctor advises against hot water soak, ask for a reasonable substitute. Until next time -
Namaste,
Tim