With the coming of winter, the days continue to grow shorter and a feeling of going within settles upon us. As one?s time turns towards indoor activities, now is the ultimate opportunity to revert energy back into our bodies; just as a dormant plant goes within to nourish its roots.

An easy way to do this is through one of Naturopathic Medicine?s oldest modalities: Hydrotherapy. The hypothesis around Hydrotherapy is that health is proportional to the normal flow of healthy blood. Blood can be viewed as the conveyer of life whereas hydrotherapy is the manipulation of circulation to optimize the life-giving properties of blood. Therefore, by normalizing the quantity of blood circulating through a given area and enhancing blood flow through the organs of elimination (skin, liver, kidneys, and bowels), Hydrotherapy aids in detoxification, removal of stagnation, and increases beneficial blood elements such as oxygen, red blood cells, white blood cells, and nutrients.

Here are some easy at-home Hydrotherapy treatments you can use for common ailments such as winter depression, cough, congestion, low immune status, stagnation, and weak vital force. First is an Epsom Salt Glow which uses friction to increase circulation, skin elimination of toxins, and absorption of magnesium. This treatment is indicated in frequent colds, general weakness, and sluggish circulation. Here?s how to do it?.Take a hot bath or shower for 5 minutes. Turn off water and apply moistened salt liberally to damp skin. Rub a handful of salt on skin with a circular friction until skin turns pink to tolerance. Do arms first, starting with fingers. Next are legs, starting with toes. Then in order: chest, abdomen, back, hips, and buttocks. Remove salt by spray using a cool, but pleasant temperature. Dry and rest at least 30 minutes. An Epsom Salt Bath can also be used as a detoxification method by removing waste from our largest organ of elimination - the skin. Fill tub with warm water and add 2 cups Epsom Salt. Soak approximately 20 minutes. The influx of magnesium promotes relaxation of weak or tired muscles and the out-flux of toxins creates improved elimination of wastes.

For coughing and sinusitis, try this simple remedy. Place a small saucepan on stove and add 1 cup water and 2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar. Heat until steaming. Standing close to the stove with a towel covering the head, place face in path of steam (careful not to go too close as to burn yourself on the heat). Breathe in and out deeply through the nose. Repeat again breathing in and out deeply through the mouth. Repeat these two steps 2 times and then stop.

The Constitutional Hydrotherapy Treatment is a wonderful healing therapy that can be utilized for a weak immune system, low vital force, stagnation, coughing, and bronchitis. Spread a sheet over a blanket lengthwise on a bed. Take a hot bath or shower for 5-10 minutes, but no longer. Dry off and get into bed, lying on your back. Apply as hot a towel as you can tolerate (heat moist towel in microwave or hot water) covering chest and abdomen. Leave on for 5 minutes. Then, replace hot towel with as cold a towel as you can tolerate (preferably straight out of a bowl of ice water) and cover heated chest and abdomen. Wrap the sheet and blanket around you tightly. Rest, sleep, or visualize; leaving the cold towel on at least 30 minutes or until it is warmed to body temperature.

By utilizing these simple nourishing Hydrotherapy treatments, you can stimulate your own body's innate healing mechanisms, reduce severity of symptoms, and feel better!

Working as a Naturopathic and Chiropractic Physician, Dr. Christina R. Campbell offers a broad scope of medical services at the Tahoe Center of Natural Medicine. Located in Incline Village, the center creates an environment for optimizing health and providing natural treatments for a wide variety of health conditions. She welcomes working with all other healthcare professionals to help patients maintain or regain their health. For additional information or specific guidance, call (775) 831-3200 for an appointment.

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