Water properties

Are all waters the same and do they help us in the same way?

The therapeutic purpose of water was already contemplated by ancient civilizations. Then it was the healers or shamans of the tribes or peoples who, through their "rites", used water to perform cures, ward off spirits ... But the people that really began to give water a more universal and "ordered" use was the Roman. With the creation of the hot springs, they placed water as curative, hygienic and preventive element, in addition to turning these places into centers of recreation and social relations.

At the “scientific” level, it is Archimedes who, with his principle, lays the foundations by concluding that “every body immersed in a liquid loses a part of its weight equal to the weight of the volume displaced from the liquid”. In the case of fresh water, for example, the weight of a 70 kg person is reduced by up to one tenth (that is, they would weigh only 7 kg).

• There are several types of water: running water, mineral-medicinal water and sea water.
• We can benefit from them in spas, spas, thalassotherapy centers or hydrotherapy and rehabilitation services in hospitals.
• They help rheumatology, respiratory and dermatology.

Types of waters

We can classify the waters based on some characteristics that differentiate them:

• Running water: it is that which comes out of the tap of any home, business ... It does not have intrinsic properties at the chemical level, but its benefits derive from the application method.
• Mineral-medicinal water: it is that which flows from springs or sources that are certified as such. Its properties are provided by the minerals found in it. According to its level of mineralization we will divide it into very weak, weak, medium and strong. It can be classified as very soft, soft, hard, very hard and extremely hard based on its hardness (the concentration of calcium carbonate). In addition, depending on their chemical composition, we can find sulphured, bicarbonated waters ... And they can also be divided according to the temperature at which they are used, which ranges from less than 35ºC to more than 37ºC.
• Sea water: mineralization in this case is between 30-35 g / l of mineral salts. This figure can vary depending on whether it is an open or closed sea since then the concentration is higher or lower. For example, in the case of the Dead Sea the concentration is higher than that of an open sea. In general, all seas have a similar composition: calcium, sodium, potassium… In addition to minerals, sea water contains between 20 and 30 cc / l, mainly oxygen, hydrogen and carbon.

Where can we benefit from them?

There are different places where hydrotherapy can be practiced, depending on whether this use is more medical or more “social”. Thus, depending on the type of water used as a therapeutic medium and its purpose, the centers can be divided into:

• Spas: they use mineral-medicinal water.
• Hydrotherapy centers (): use running water.
• Centers: use sea water.
• Rehabilitation and rehabilitation services in hospitals and health centers: they use running water.

What indications does it have?

In general, it is not necessary to have any health problems to benefit and enjoy the properties offered by the different types of water, each with its own characteristics.

The mere fact of taking a hot bath when one is exhausted will already bring us a physical or mental benefit more than positive. But there are situations where water is a therapy by itself. This is the case of mineral-medicinal waters, which have broad indications for their chemical effects. Some of them are:

• At the rheumatological level: for all those chronic rheumatisms (), mineral-medicinal water helps fight atrophy and reduces pain. Recovery time is also reduced if there is a previous trauma.
• At the respiratory level: it is recommended in cases of as it helps better breathing.
• At the dermatological level: it is ideal for cases of eczema and in those skins that have itchy-urticaria pictures.

In the case of seawater, apart from the chemical properties, we must take into account those provided by the algae that coexist in this aquatic environment. Like mineral-medicinal spring water, there are disorders in which the benefit is direct:

• Rheumatological:,, rheumatoid arthritis.
• respiratory:.
• Dermatological: and acne.

Both in the first case and in the second, water by itself is already therapeutic, but in both cases it is usually used with varied methodologies. Depending on the person and the pathology to be treated, some techniques or others will be used.

In case of pathology of the nostrils or sinuses, therapy with seawater washes is indicated, since in this way the airway is clear. On the other hand, in case of contractures and muscular atrophy, showers or jets are recommended not only because of the feeling of well-being that it produces but because they are useful techniques.

These, in addition, can be accompanied by complementary material or products, such as algae, mud, paraffin ... that enhance or complement their effects.

Precisely running water, as it does not present intrinsic therapeutic characteristics, provides benefits through the forms of use (shower, bath ...) and accessories, such as pimples or algae, for example for skin conditions such as eczema.

Are there contraindications?

Lists of contraindications have existed for a long time, but over the years hydrotherapy centers and the studies associated with them have evolved. These long lists are currently reduced to three main concepts: acute cases (presence of fever ...), chronic (significant anemia, immunodeficiencies ...) and periods of convalescence.

In any case, it is always advisable to consult with a doctor in order to adapt the therapy, personalize it and, thus, obtain the greatest benefits. Find out about them and choose the one that best suits the needs of the whole family.