Briefly applied, water acts as a tonic, while extended applications have a calming effect. Contrasting hot and cold is also used, and occasionally, longer hot applications for relaxation. Keeping an injured area moist also relieves pain by reducing stiffness and congestion. The influence of hydrotherapy is initially recorded in the skin and then distributed throughout the body via the nervous reflexes and circulatory routes. Water is administered by various methods ranging from splashing to immersion as well as moist compresses.
Cold water limits blood loss from the easily damaged small blood vessels.
Cold water reduces pain of pressure or inflammation. Water is ecological and economical. Hydrotherapies throughout the Course of Pregnancy Paddling Run six inches of tap cold water into a bath. Walk up and down the bath, raising the feet clear of the water on each step. Start with 30 seconds on day one and build up to two minutes.