Therapeutic showers: what they are, what they treat, and for whom they are useful

Mar 26, 2022

Therapeutic showers are differentiated by the degree of impact on the body with jets of different shapes, directions, temperatures and pressures.

Circular shower

The jets of water with a pressure of 1-1.5 atmospheres are fed vertically through a circle of perforated metal tubing from all sides to the standing patient. The water temperature is gradually reduced from 34-35 °C to 25 °C. The duration of the procedure is up to 5-6 minutes when it is lukewarm and warm, 2-3 minutes. - in the case of cool.

Jet Charcot shower

The Charcot shower has another, more "cool" variety - the Scottish shower. Here a person alternately falls under two strong jets of hoses. In one it is hot - from 37 to 45 degrees, in the other it is cold - from 10 to 25 degrees. This is a very powerful procedure and is suitable only for people who are prepared for it, but it perfectly tones and gives a burst of energy.

A compact stream of water at a pressure of 1.5 to 3 atmospheres actively affects the patient's body. The patient is positioned 3 meters from the shower pulpit, exposing the front, back or sides of the body as directed by the nurse. The water jet is moved from the bottom to the top in a prescribed order, starting at the feet.

Fleury Fan Shower.

A scattered stream of water is directed onto the patient's body, simulating the shape of a fan. The technique is the same as for the Charcot shower. The effect of the fan shower on the body is softened by the dispersion of the water jet, although the basic conditions do not change. The water temperature is reduced from 35 °C to 25 °C, the pressure is increased from 1-1,5 to 2,5-3 atmospheres, the duration of the procedure does not exceed 3 minutes.

Image-Fleury-Fan-Shower

Vichy Shower

This treatment is somewhat similar to the circular shower, but with a gentler effect on the skin. In this case, a multitude of warm and fine thread-like jets fall on the body in the form of rain. Once on the skin, the thin, weak jets form a zone of increased ionization and improve oxygen exchange.

The shower relieves nervous tension, gently massages the reflex zones, improves blood circulation and has a lymphatic drainage effect. When used in combination with body masks and wraps beneficial properties of the shower contribute to the treatment of metabolism, cellulite, body shape correction.

Underwater (hydro massage)

The complete or local underwater shower-massage is carried out in a bathtub with water temperature of 35-37 ° C. The massage is started after a 5 minute adaptation of the patient to the water. The procedure takes an average of 10-20 minutes, maximum duration - up to 45 minutes.

Upward shower

Ascending water jets are directed onto the perineum area at a temperature suitable for the indications.

Duration of treatment varies from 2 to 5 minutes, depending on water temperature.

Indications

Circular, fan and Charcot showers have the same indications.

They are:

hypotonic disease;
slow metabolism;
Neuroses, neurasthenia, depressive conditions, vegetovascular dysfunctions;
Chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer in remission, chronic colitis and functional intestinal disorders;
obesity.

In hydromassage :

diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
metabolic disorders;
diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system;
impaired motor function, rehabilitation after trauma;
Sluggishly healing trophic ulcers;
vegetovascular dystonia;
hypertensive disease of the first degree;
diseases of the digestive organs.

In upward shower :

hemorrhoids;
sexual weakness;
prostatitis;
gynecological diseases (regulation of menstrual cycle, infertility, etc.);
chronic constipation;
urinary incontinence;
pelvic diseases.

Contraindications

Circular, fan and Charcot showers:

coronary heart disease;
angina pectoris;
respiratory system diseases;
urolithiasis;
calculous cholecystitis;
second half of pregnancy;
Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
blotchy dermatitis;
malignant tumors;
Infectious diseases.

For underwater :

urolithiasis;
pregnancy;
thrombophlebitis;
acute inflammatory processes;
hypertension stage III;
acute heart disease;
varicose veins;
impaired cerebral circulation.

For upward shower :

rectal fissures;
pregnancy.

Therapeutic effect:

Tonic,
vasodilator,
immunostimulant,
sedative,
antispasmodic,
trophic.

Shower filters in hydrotherapy

The therapeutic showers are used strictly under medical supervision. Certain conditions are necessary for medical showers.
One of the main criteria for the water used in hydrotherapy is the quality of the water.
Some regions are characterized by a high salt content in the water (hard water). Before using such water in therapeutic showers must be prepared. Special shower filters are used to soften the water.