For many people who spend long hours at work in stressful jobs, who then have to come home and deal with family stresses without ever seeming to get enough sleep, chronic fatigue syndrome may sound like their daily life. In fact chronic fatigue syndrome is a persistent disease. Symptoms other than fatigue include dizziness, nausea, poor concentration and memory. Researchers are still not sure what causes chronic fatigue syndrome, though many suspect it's a virus.
Instructions
Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome With Hydrotherapy
1. Try hydrotherapy. The benefits of hydrotherapy, or “water healing”, have been utilized for centuries. As long ago as the 4th century BC., the Greek physician Hippocrates recommended bathing in spring water for its therapeutic effects, and the Romans are renowned for utilizing hydrothermal therapy, or “heated water healing”, in their communal baths. Hydrothermal therapy (HT) is, of course, just as effective today. It takes advantages of the body’s reactions to hot and cold temperatures, the pressure exerted upon the body by water and the soothing sensation that it gives. HT affects the body by stimulating the nerves in the surface of the skin. The nerves, in turn, carry the impulses deep inside the body where they have multiple effects including stimulating the immune system, circulation, digestion, hormone production, reducing pain and reducing stress.
2. Relax with a steam bath or sauna. Saunas and steam baths have a very similar effect and are mainly a matter of personal choice, although the effects of a steam bath may aid respiratory ailments more effectively than a sauna. The beneficial effects of a 15-20 minute sauna or steam bath include, increased blood circulation, increased elimination of toxins from the body and an increase in the amount of nutrients transported to the skin.
3. Chill out with a sitz bath. The aim of a sitz bath is to increase blood flow to the abdominal and pelvic regions, and the ankles and feet. Sitz baths can be given with hot or cold water, or alternated between hot and cold water.
4. Fill your tub with enough water to cover your hips and lower abdomen. The temperature of the water should be around 110 F. for optimum benefit, in a hot sitz bath. You can soak in the water for up to thirty minutes. If you take a quick cold shower afterwards it will enhance the effect..
5. If you are taking a cold sitz bath, fill the tub with ice-cold water and try to remain in the water for at least 30 seconds but no more than a minute before you dry
6. You can also use alternating hot and cold baths. In this case you will need two tubs, one filled with hot water (about 110F) and a second with ice water. Take the hot bath first, and remain in the water for 3-4 minutes and then switch to cold sitz bath for 30-60 seconds. You can repeat this up to 3-4 times.
7. Soak in a hot herbal infusion and then placed around the area to be treated, such as the thigh, arm or ankle. The wrap should not be applied so tightly as to cause constriction. The moist cloth is then usually wrapped in a dry linen cloth, and the person receiving the therapy is then wrapped in a blanket and left to rest for between 30 and 40 minutes. If the intention is specifically to induce sweating, then you can leave it on for 2 or 3 hours.
Tags: sitz bath, steam bath, chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold sitz, cold sitz bath