Treatment normally consists of applying a hot cloth for 3 minutes then a cold cloth for 30 seconds, alternating 3 times in a row. The treatment can be done several times a day. It is also very important to end the treatment with the cold application. The hot application should be pleasantly hot. Do not apply water that is hot enough to burn.
People have different tolerance levels for hot water on different parts of their body.
Tolerance levels can change from treatment to treatment, depending on emotional state, degree of injury or illness, and body temperature. Water works on the body reflexively. Hydrotherapy takes advantage of this reflexive action. For example, if the left foot is fractured and in a cast, an alternating hot and cold treatment can be performed on the right foot. Because of the reflexive action, the left foot will obtain the benefits of the hydrotherapy treatment even though it was done on the right foot.