Hydrotherapy Or Watsu

Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of hot or cold water. The term can also include the use of heat, cold, wax and other complementary agents, but we will talk about water here.

Water therapy can be used as an analgesic to stop pain in the form of ice or hot water. It can increase circulation with hot water and steam.

An enjoyable part of water therapy is called Watsu--a combination of shiatsu and water. The therapist and client get into a heated pool that is body temperature.

The client is held by the therapist who performs stretches on the client and acupressure while in the water. The heated water softens and stretches the muscles.

The water helps to hold up the client while the therapist works a combination of shiatsu and water exercises. The therapist constantly monitors the client's breathing during the entire session that generally lasts for about 40 minutes. Bathing suits are worn for this therapy.

The spine stretches greatly in the water in a way that does not happen on a massage table.

Watsu is great for clients suffering from headaches, depression, sleep disorders, hyperactivity, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and fibromyalgia, just to name a few. It is now widely practiced in spas across the United States.

Some independent massage therapists who have pools practice this in their backyards. My massage therapy school instructor does this in his backyard pool.

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