April/May 2008

Metamorphic Massage Newletter

Hydrotherapy

April showers bring ..............Water
the essence of

Hydrotherapy

Water is the basis for Hydrotherapy, the oldest natural medicine that benefits the entire body.
Does drinking a glass of water re-energize you?
Does a hot shower re-vitalize you?
We often feel better in water possibly it is because the sea is our ancestral home or we remember the warm amniotic fluid we were suspended in before birth.

Hydrotherapy can be as simple and fast as drinking a glass of water or more complex like using herbs and medicated baths or detoxifying- double- body compresses. Hydrotherapy utilizes water in all its various forms -steam, liquid, solid. There are many different applications of hydrotherapy.

At home you can:

* Drink water, reducing dehydration and giving you more energy
* Walk in a cold or ice water bath decreasing leg cramps and stimulating the bottom of your feet, where reflexology points connect to all the rest of the body
* Shower in hot water relaxing you and decreasing your stress

During massage treatments, the following are some forms of hydrotherapy that are used:

Cryotherapy (cold applications)

*Ice massage may be used to numb an area before doing cross fiber friction such as for tendinitis.
*Cold packs can be used to reduce muscle spasm, decrease pain and decrease inflammation.

Thermo-therapy (hot therapy)

* Hot packs, including hot stones, can help a client relax, enhance circulation and prepare the area for deeper massage techniques.
* Paraffin baths can help alleviate arthritis, bruises, bursitis, spasms, pain.

Alternating cryo and thermo-therapy

This is among the most potent procedures in hydrotherapy. It produces marked stimulation of local circulation.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

Hydrotherapy can be used to help prevent, control and cure hundreds of chronic or acute conditions, such as injuries, diseases, pain, burns, aches, reduce fever, raise body temperature. It increases our body's natural defense mechanisms and can be used to overcome sudden or chronic energy blocks. It can be used as a restorative, stimulant, eliminative, sedative and anesthetic.

With so many benefits and techniques of applications, it's clear that hydrotherapy is truly a universal healing method.

Metamorphic Massage
"where injuries are transformed into wellness"
Specializing in athletes with injuries

Nikki LMP -- provider of massage at 3 Olympic Games
WA Sports Massage Team - active member for 12 years

Hope to hear from you soon.
Nikki Nichols LMP, RN, BSN
Metamorphic Massage
206-499-4281
Nikki@metamorphicmassage.biz