The Healing Power of Water: Simple, Yet Profound

My curiosity about the healing power of water began last summer after a trip to Jasper, Alberta, Canada. I had been on a 10 km hike, the longest hike I had been on in several years. My body was starting to feel it but I had planned to go to the Miette Hot Springs after to relax and recover. I am not much for hot tubs but thought this would be a nice treat. To my amazement the next day I did not feel any stiffness in my body.

While at the hot springs I tried a technique that I had learned over 15 years ago in massage therapy school. I use this technique on my arms after each massage and I thought it could possibly work for my whole body. What I did was sit in the warm pool for about 5-10 minutes. Then I would slowly immerse myself in the cool pool for about 1-2 minutes. The cool pool was VERY challenging to walk into and it took several tries in and out before I could go all the way in. I continued this routine for about 1 hour. (Warm, cool, warm, cool). It was invigorating and relaxing.

The next day I felt refreshed and ready for another day of exploring. I, of course, also included some stretching to assist with my recovery but I believe the water treatment was the primary source of relief. I would not recommend this intensity of hydro therapy for anyone with a compromised circulatory system but in less severe temperature and time ranges the alternating treatment can be beneficial for the circulatory system and when using the technique regularly can strengthen the system as well. If you have any vascular issues please consult with your primary care giver before trying this treatment.

So after this experience I started looking at my hydrotherapy books again and then by coincidence my daughter came home excited about her science discovery regarding H2O. She described the changes that water goes through from solid to liquid to vapor. With this burst of excitement I started to think in relation to the variations that water can go through and how they can all be healing. As a solid, ice can be used to treat inflammation, as a warm or cold liquid water can be used to relax and release toxins and as a vapor it can be used to relax the body or to increase toxin release in the form of steam.

Then by chance I came across an article given to me by a friend months earlier containing the experiments done by Dr. Emoto. His experiments with water crystal photography blew me away. The idea that water could respond to what a scientist was thinking or speaking at the time seemed a bit over the edge (and I am pretty open minded). I had heard a bit about his work and understood the basics but after reading his book The Hidden Messages of Water, I came to see the connection and impact that water has on our entire body. We are more than 70% water as adults. In his study of how words can affect water you can literally see the positive or negative effects first hand on how water crystals are formed. Now, if the saying or writing of a negative word can deform a water crystal, then how can we be affected within our own bodies by negativity if we are composed of 70% water? Or, on the positive side of this discussion, look at how profoundly we can be affected by words, music or thoughts that express positive ideas such as love, respect, gratitude, thankfulness or hope. We talk about “thinking positive” but this is just another way to reinforce this idea.

Another article I had read mentioned a Dr. Batmanghelidj who wrote Your Body’s Many Cries for Water. This book was the one that pushed me over the edge as far as promoting the intake of water. He details the many physical dysfunctions that occur in the body only due to the lack of water hydration. A few he mention are recurring or chronic pain, migraines, headaches, colitis pain, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis pain, low back and neck pain, high blood pressure and others. By regulating our water intake, eliminating the use of coffee, tea and carbonated beverages and re-hydration of the cells within the body Dr. Batmanghelidj concluded that all of the above mentioned could be eliminated or at least decreased in severity. His book outlines several studies from around the world that reaffirm the validity of his research.

As massage therapists we learn the importance of hydration after a massage. And these books clarify our efforts to educate our clients about the benefits of water.

As a reminder to all of us remember to:

• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day.
• When you are drinking, sip your water slowly and allow the cells of the body to absorb all the positive attributes of the water you are sharing with it.
• Drink water that is room temperature.
• Ensure that your water is of the highest quality possible.

Vascular Flush treatment

As a massage therapist this is a treatment I use regularly on my arms to increase circulation, decrease the chance of lactic acid and waste buildup during the course of a day and to rejuvenate my arms if they are getting tired. If my time is short between massage clients I wash my hands and then I simply run my arms, past my elbows, under alternating cool and warm water. The following paragraph explains the full hydrotherapy treatment.

Start with 2 sinks or a sink and water basin of some sort. One side is filled at least half full with WARM water and the other side is filled with COOL water. Submerse your arms past the elbow in the WARM water first. Let the arms stay in the warm water for approx. 2 minutes. When the time is up, place your arms directly in the cool water for 30 seconds. Alternate the arms from warm to cool at least 2 times. The effect is that the warm water attracts blood and pools it. The cool water constricts (tightens) the blood vessels and surrounding tissues sending blood and lymph fluid back toward the heart and drawing out any lactic acid or waste material that has been sitting in the muscle, blood stream, or lymph system.

When you return the arms to the warm water the second time you are now bringing fresh, newly hydrated and nutrient rich blood back to the area. When you have completed at least 2 cycles of the vascular flush you can end in the cool to encouraging the fresh blood to stay in the arms and let your arms air dry. The alternating water cleanses the arms and allows for greater healing and rejuvenation. If you are experiencing tightness, swelling, restricted movement, or a lack of energy in your arms (or feet) this can be an effective treatment.

The concept of water as healer has been used for centuries by many ancient traditions. Water is available in most places and is simple to use yet can have profound affects. The benefits of incorporating water into your healing journey may reach beyond your expectations.

Here’s to a wonderful, wet, warm spring!

Spreading peace, passion and playfulness everyday,

Dana Miller,RMT

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