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From a distance of 5-6 feet, the jet spray is directed at the back of the body first, starting from the feet and working upwards.  After that, the front of the body is treated.  Care is to be taken while the application is made to the chest.  Arms are crossed over each other and hands placed on the shoulders so that the heart and lungs are protected.  No application is made to the face. 

Uses:  The Cold jet bath is useful in treating hyperesthesia of the skin, relieves pain in muscles and joints in chronic rheumatism, stimulates digestion when applied to the stomach, improves circulation and assimilation and thus helps in cases of anemia.  It relieves chronic indigestion, stimulates nervous and muscular systems and is therefore helpful in treating paralysis. 

Contra-indications:  Cold jet bath should be avoided when there is active inflammation in the uterus, ovaries, kidneys, stomach, liver, bladder, and bowels and in chronic inflammations of all kinds.  In acute rheumatism it is contra-indicated.  It should be avoided in cases of Arteriosclerosis, heart disease, kidney diseases such as acute or chronic Nephritis, gastric ulcer, eruptive disorders of the skin etc. 

Neutral Jet Spray Massage 

Temperature: 32-36 deg. C.

Duration: 2-3 minutes

Procedure:  As of cold jet bath.

Uses: The water temperature with pressure helps in relieving body pains and improve peripheral circulation.  It is useful in cases of Obesity, Arthritis, Spondylitis etc. 

Contra-indications:  It is avoided in cases of fever, high blood pressure, heart diseases, open skin wounds, extreme weakness etc. 

Hot Jet Spray Massage 

Temperature: 40-42 deg. C.

Duration: 30 seconds to 5 minutes

Procedure: As of cold jet spray.  The temperature of water should initially be 40 deg. C and gradually raised to 42 deg. C.

Uses: Hot jet spray is useful in relieving general or superficial pains, Pruritus, Urticaria, Jaundice, Neurasthenia, exhaustion, cold etc. Excess exposure should be avoided as it may damage the skin.

Contra-Indications:  Same as those for neutral jet bath. 

Alternate Jet Spray Massage  

Method: In this the hot application is followed by a short cold application is one to four minutes and the cold application three minutes. 

Uses:  This form of application is helpful in dealing with Sciatica, Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, and Obesity etc.  It relieves acute and chronic muscle pain and stimulates the stomach muscles when applied to the abdominal region.  It is also useful in relieving chronic pelvic congestions such as Metritis, Ovarian congestion, chronic inflammations of the tubes etc.  This application also stimulates paralyzed muscles.  It relieves Lumbago, uterine and ovarian neuralgia, gastric ulcer and chronic backache. In cerebral congestion the application may be made to the legs. In Asthma, it may be applied to the thighs and legs.  It is an ideal treatment recommended for chronic muscular Rheumatism. 

Circular Jet Spray Massage  

A specially made equipment directs multiple, small but powerful water streams from all directions on the patient.  This bath gives instant cooling and refreshing effect, especially after taking a prolonged hot treatment such as steam room.  This bath causes a powerful circulatory reaction which helps in stimulating the skin's activity.  It is a tonic measure for anemics who are fairly strong.  It stimulates muscular action.  The duration is 2 to 5 minutes. 

Affusions

The affusion consists of single or multiple columns of water directed against apart of the body without any pressure.  This was first introduced by Father Kneipp in his Hydrotherapy Institute.

Cold Affusion 

Requisites: Facility for directing cold water by means of hosepipe connected to a tap or a large mug.

Temperature: 18-24 deg. C.

Procedure: The patient comfortably sits/stands depending on the part to be treated.  Cold water is poured on the part being treated.   

Precautions: Care should be taken that the part is warmed before treatment. 

Uses: Short (30 seconds - 3 minutes) application acts as a tonic, while a longer application helps to relieve congestion.  Cold water pouring on the head is helpful in reducing the temperature during fever.  

Neutral Affusion  

Requisites: As of cold affusion.

Water Temperature: 32-36 deg. C

Procedure: As of cold affusion.

Uses: Given to the spine, neutral affusion acts as a sedative.  It also helps in relieving joint and muscular pain.  Neutral affusion to the upper back acts as an expectorant and thus helps in cases of Asthma, Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Respiratory Tract Infections etc. 

Hot Affusion

Requisites: As of the above

Water Temperature:  40-50 deg. C.

Procedure: As of cold affusions.  However, the hot affusion should end with a dash of cold water on the part treated.

Uses: Hot affusion helps in relieving pain in the joint and muscles. 

Hot And Cold Affusion 

Requisites: Here, there should be two pipes to supply hot and cold water alternatively.  Or else, two buckets, one with hot and the other with cold water may be used. 

Water Temperature: Hot water is poured for 3 minutes followed by cold for 1 minute.  This is repeated 4 times ending with cold water. 

Uses: Pouring hot and cold water alternatively act as a powerful stimulant and a tonic.  It improves blood circulation to the part treated.  Because of these effects, this method is employed in treating an infected part when it is impossible or undesirable to immerse the part completely in water.  It relieves muscular pain and sprain.  It helps to reduce pain and swelling of the joints and is thus helpful in Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Cold Shower

Many people hesitate to take cold shower thinking that they may catch cold.  In fact there is no tonic treatment better than a cold shower soon after rising every morning.  It not only stimulates the blood circulation but also activates the nerves and their centers.  The person who is used to cold bath can easily continue this habit even in the dreaded winter, without any adverse effects. The duration of the cold bath depends on the patient's condition.  In case of cold and Sinusitis patients the bath should not be for more than two to three minutes and while taking the bath the person should not be exposed to cold breeze.  Keep warm for sometime, or if one is fit enough moderate exercises could be done.  In summer cold bath will be refreshing and invigorating. 

Uses:  The stimulating effect of the cold bath relieves one from drowsiness (due to delayed sleep), mental and physical fatigue and helps to overcome bad habits such as alcoholism, drug addiction and smoking.  Immediately after a hot treatment, a cold shower is advised to absorb the extra heat which the body acquires during the process of treatment. 

Cold shower will also help to continue the reaction of the treatment.  Cold shower is contra-indicated in cases of very weak patients, cardiac ailments and in persons suffering from severe Cold, Influenza and Asthma. 

Troma

Requisites: Shower attached to a pipe (a hand shower).

Temperature: 18-24 deg. C - Tap Water.

Duration: 10 minutes.

Procedure:  A fine jet of water with moderate pressure is applied to the scalp by circular movement of the shower.  It is followed by a cold pack to the head for 45-60 minutes. 

Uses: The gentle massage of the water columns over the scalp helps to improve circulation.  Though initially constriction of blood vessels follows as action, later on, dilation of blood vessels takes place as reaction.  In cases of Insomnia, Hypertension, Migraine, Epilepsy, Acute Fever, Sun Stroke, Nose bleeding, Falling Hair, Giddiness etc., this treatment yields remarkable results. 

Avoid: In extreme weakness, during malarial fever, acute Sinusitis and Asthma.