Hydrotherapy may be the oldest forms of medical treatment. Egyptians and Romans bathed in hot water and essential oils, and Hippocrates prescribed spring-water baths for a number of illnesses.
The name hydrotherapy may be misleading, as it is the temperature of the water, rather than the water itself, which offers the main benefits. Some practitioners prefer to use the name "Thermotherapeutics." Most hydrotherapy treatments are external, using water in the form of compresses, ice packs, body packs, or immersion. Colonics and steam inhalation (used to relieve chest congestion) are forms of internal hydrotherapy.
Hot water hydrotherapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatism and arthritis, while cold water is the preferred therapy for dental pain and muscle sprains.
Hydrotherapy is also widely used in the rehabilitation of patients with paralysis.