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| A
Bit About Hydrotherapy |
| Hydrotherapy
is an ancient and time proven natural healing form. However, its very real
effects must never be underestimated, and just like equine massage therapy,
hydrotherapy must be applied with intellect, reasoning and knowledge of its immediate,
subsequential and targeted effects. |
| There
are many treatments, applications and methods used for the application of hydrotherapy,
including hot water, cold water, warm or ice temperatures as well as varied
depths and pressures. |
| Deeper
water exerts more pressure, and when cold will assist in the activation of
extracellular and
intracellular activity as well as promoting fluid
dispersal. |
| Colder water
is extremely effective as a form of temporary pain relief, while warm
water proves most effective as a tissue and vessel relaxant,
allowing an enhanced flow of fluid and blood through the respective veins,
arteries and capillaries. |
| Many
situations benefit from hydrotherapy, and, equally many situations are
contraindicated to its use. Some of the positive effects of hydrotherapy
can include: |
| Reduction
of
muscular tension. |
| Reduction
of myofascial tension. |
| Strengthening
of body tissue, especially beneficial as a preventative measure for hard working horses as pre-exercise care. |
| Assistance
of rejuvenation and repair of previously injured tissue. |
| Stimulating
all circulatory flows. |
| Reduction
of inflammation and its consequential pain and effects. (student ref:
contraindications and natures inflammatory process) |
| Inhibition
of enzyme degeneration. |
| Dispersal
of waste fluids. |
| Withdrawal and
management of infection. |
| Inhibition
of over-sensitive nerve innervation assisting with pain relief. |
| When
Problems Develop |
| Inflammation
is mother natures safety procedure, designed to protect and support an
injured area. Subsequently,
inflammation should not always be interfered with as a matter of course.
However,
sometimes inflammation can produce excessive levels of fluid; more
than the injury requires and more than the injured site can accommodate. When
this happens, the blood and lymphatic
vessels often rupture, leaking their
fluid and toxins onto neighbouring tissues that were previously healthy. A
process is referred to as "hypoxic injury' |
| The
correct hydrotherapy application applied with intellect and reasoning can stop this process or heal the worst
effects of a recent hypoxic injury. |
| Hydrotherapy
and Muscular Stress |
| Hydrotherapy
that is intellectually integrated into equine massage therapy can
optimally enhance its healing workings. |
| Some common conditions that
can benefit from hydrotherapy include:- |
| General
muscular tension. |
| Stiff
/ inflamed joints. |
| Recently
treated stress points and trigger points. |
| Effects
of concussion, tendonitis, desmitis, bursitis and sore shins to name but a
few. |
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of Page |
