8. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, using water as therapy, has been used by various civilizations for thousands of years. The therapeutic use of baths was recorded in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. In the 19th century, hydrotherapy became a popular form of treatment for various chronic illnesses and disabilities. For wounds, the application of water was believed to fill in scars and push out the dirty or diseased fluids residing within them. The emergence of pus was referred to as a crisis and was sought through various methods of applying water including baths and compresses.
A strange and unfortunate form of hydrotherapy occurred in the early 20th century. Water of varying temperatures was believed to be an effective treatment for mental disorders and was used extensively in mental hospitals. Hypoactive patients would have cold water applied to them, through bathing, sprays or even being mummified in cold, wet blankets. Hyperactive or lethargic patients would be given warm baths, showers, or towel wraps in the belief that tiring, warming baths would calm them.
Hydrotherapy is still practiced currently, albeit in slightly different ways and for various reasons. Ice baths alternated with warm soaks are a vital part of sports medicine, with evidence that the alternating temperature cycles can help reduce the severity of athletic injuries due to reduced swelling and increased blood flow.