Hydrotherapy
Our Services
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of hot and cold water. At Upper Peninsula Natural Wellness we perform a specific type called Constitutional Hydrotherapy, where we alternate hot and cold applications to the torso and back with two phases of gentle pulsed sine wave stimulation/(e-stim) to the back and abdomen.
What to expect
During the therapy, the patient lies comfortably on a soft massage table warmly bundled up in bed sheets and wool blankets, while alternating phases of hot and cold, well wrung out, moist towels are applied over the upper torso. Hot and cold towel applications manipulate blood circulation via vasoconstriction and vasodilation reflexes.
Constitutional hydrotherapy is extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. It restores balance to the autonomic nervous system by nourishing and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. It also facilitates optimal immune function and detoxification processes via increased circulation through the skin, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, intestines and lungs (aka Reticuloendothelial System or Mononuclear Phagocyte System). This allows our illness-fighting white blood cells to recognize invaders and are guided to the tissues where they are needed.
There are many other forms of hydrotherapy, some of which you can do at home!
Castor Oil Packs
Castor oil is applied topically to the abdomen via a cloth “pack” and allowed to sit for 60min to overnight.
Contrast Showers
Alternating hot and cold in the shower can have great health benefits for circulation and immune function.
Peat Baths
This deep heating therapy uses specialized peat moss packs that you add to your bath water. The peat has unique properties that support detoxification.
Ice Baths
Cold plunges may be trendy, but they’ve been in use for a long time. Cold temps helps to trigger the body’s natural regenerative response.
Infrared Sauna
Hydrotherapy is an excellent therapy to receive for an acute illness or as part of a long-term preventive and wellness strategy. A therapy session is usually an hour long. Typically, 8-12 sessions are recommended to see lasting results.
Benefits Include:
- Increased circulation
- Reduces fluid build-up
- Warms cold hands and feet
- Improves energy
- Balances nervous system
- Calms the mind and emotions
- Regulates the body’s response to stress
- Supports immune function
- Helps you recover from sickness faster
- Calms hyperactive immune response
- Modulates blood pressure
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Raises low blood pressure