From Wheelchair To Hydrotherapy: A Resource Guide To Natural Healing Properties

A lot of effort, time and money is spent on finding medical cures for various diseases. Yet, some of the best cures from natural sources, including herbs and hot springs. The water from hot springs is actually underground water, which comes up to the surface. Until modern medicine was invented in the middle of the twentieth century, natural hot springs used to be considered by many as a great healing agent. Today, there are many people who believe in the healing powers of natural spring waters.

Hydrotherapy

In the 5th century, the famous Greek physician Hippocrates discovered the healing properties of water. He is known as the father of medicine and he has mentioned in his accounts the therapeutic importance of water. If anyone is suffering from any type of muscle injury or joint injury, then hydrotherapy, even though a slow technique, helps immensely in the recovery process. Hydro means water while therapy is derived from the Greek word “therapeia” meaning a service. Hydrotherapy means the use of water to cure certain ailments.

Initially, the process is mild, starting in a warm pool of water with general stretching exercises. Later, it’s taken to a higher level. Hydrotherapy is a very gentle process. It’s excellent for repairing and strengthening injured muscles. The exercises depend upon the type of injury and so they must be done in the presence of a physiotherapist. Natural spring water has many useful minerals and salts which possess healing properties.

  • Water Use: Discusses the use of water in hydrotherapy tanks.
  • Arthritis: Describes how hydrotherapy is beneficial to people who suffer from the condition.
  • Hydrotherapy: Highlights the benefits of hydrotherapy.
  • Cancer: Explains how hydrotherapy can benefit cancer patients.
  • Pain: Provides information on how hydrotherapy can play a part in pain management.
  • Warm Hydrotherapy: Discusses the effectiveness of the process on muscle relaxation and cardiovascular system.
  • Back Pain: Explores the use of hydrotherapy for relief of back pain, stress, and headaches.

Native Americans

For hundreds of years, Native Americans inculcated a deep reverence for the hot water springs located in the Ouachita Mountain Valley. In 1832, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas was given federal protection. The Colorado springs were studied extensively by scientists. The study found active ingredients such as sulfur, calcium, silica, magnesium, and radium. Elements, such as radium, are excellent for people suffering from tuberculosis. Another spring used first by the Native Americans is the Frankford Mineral Springs located in Pennsylvania. There is evidence near the springs that proves that Native Americans visited the hot springs and believed that the water possessed curative properties.

  • Pagosa Hotsprings: Relates Native American tales related to the springs.
  • Saratoga: Another mineral spring which was used by Native Americans.
  • Manitou Springs: Offers some historical background on this famous mineral spring.
  • Serpentine Hot Springs: A report on this spring in Alaska which was associated with Native Americans.
  • Dawson Springs: A hot spring located in Kentucky with links to Native Americans.
  • Arkansas Valley & Ouachita Mountains: Provides geological information on the region.
  • Oregon: Offers information on the mineral springs found in Oregon, mostly found Native Americans.
  • North Carolina: A look at the history of mineral springs in North Carolina.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

One of the most popular Presidents of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, believed that water has healing properties. In 1921, he was diagnosed with polio. At that time, not much was known about the disease and no cure was available. As a result, Roosevelt got paralyzed. After hearing about the therapeutic nature of water, he purchased a resort at Warm Springs in Georgia with the express purpose of treating his aliment. He recovered a lot after the hydrotherapy treatment. Today, the Roosevelt Warm Springs has become a popular hydrotherapy center where thousands of similar patients are cured.

Properties of Water Springs

Even today, people believe in the miraculous healing powers of hot springs. It has been scientifically proven that these water bodies contain high quantity of minerals with curing properties. Minerals like calcium, sulfur, salt crystals, and lithium have a healing effect on many body organs. Sulfur helps in curing many skin diseases like dermatitis, fungal infections, and other skin infections. Bathing and drinking of such mineral rich water is highly beneficial. Not only does the water cure diseases but it’s also very good for the skin. It can help to protect people from various diseases. The temperatures of these waters can range from 30 degrees Celsius up to boiling and beyond so it’s important to be careful when you are visiting a mineral spring. Some other famous water springs are present in Germany, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Qadamgah, Canada, Russia, China and many other countries.

  • Sulfur: One of the key minerals found in water springs.
  • Drink the Water: Expounds the benefits of drinking water from hot springs.
  • Waterberg: A report on the chemical and physical properties of thermal springs in the Waterberg region in South Africa.
  • South Kamchatka: A study on the hydrogeochemistry and structure of thermal springs at this location in Russia.
  • Microbes: A study of microbes in carbonate hot springs.
  • Germany & Middle Europe: Offers information on properties of thermal springs in these places.
  • Calcium: A look at one of the minerals commonly found in water springs.
  • Lithium & Alzheimer’s Disease: Discusses the potential role of lithium in preventing the disease.
  • Grover Hot Springs: A hot spring located in California.
  • Liard River Hot Springs: A famous hot springs in British Columbia.

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