March Views of the Vis from WellSpring Naturopathic

"Of the Month"

I have spent much of the last two months studying and practicing the finer points of constitutional hydrotherapy and would like to share it with you for our March Of the Month topic. It has been a great privilege to work with Dr. Dick in this area, as she has a pretty direct line of training from the historical developers of this amazing procedure. Indeed, in this lineage are the very foundations of naturopathic medicine.

History of Hydrotherapy. There are volumes written on the history of hydrotherapy with overlapping theories and details and mentors and students with new additions and twists to the original therapies from Europe. Our focus here is primarily on the history that has resulted in our naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy work. Certainly other work has validity and value - but we only have so much space and time!
   While there were a few earlier influences, the first person to really make a name for himself and hydrotherapy was Vincent Priessnitz (1799-1852). He had no formal schooling and, as a result, was given a very rough time by the medical establishment of the day. But he persevered, was tremendously successful and eventually the Austrian government not only sanctioned his practice, but gave him a gold medal for civic merit. In his career, Priessnitz treated at least 40,000 people who came from all over the world to see him. Hundreds of doctors came to work with him and learn his methods.
The next important figure in naturopathic hydrotherapy is Fr. Sebastian Kneipp (1824-1897). His "Nature Cure" methods were slightly more gentle than those of Priessnitz and he added the use of herbs as well. Fr. Kneipp also treated thousands of people and was known far and wide.
   Two men considered foundational in the development of naturopathic medicine in the United States were first patients, then students of Fr. Kneipp. Henry Lindlahr and Benedict Lust were both born in Germany, came to America, but returned to Europe to be healed by Fr. Kneipp - Lindlahr of diabetes and Lust of tuberculosis. Both men returned to the U.S. and began the work of introducing Kneipp's work here in the early 1900s. Each made some modifications, adding in more herbs, homeopathy and other modalities used in what is now naturopathic medicine.
   Getting closer to my line of study now, O.G. Carroll was cured of juvenile arthritis and rheumatic fever as a child by a doctor who had studied with Fr. Kneipp. He went on to study medicine and studied with Lindlahr and was a friend and professional colleague of Lust. He moved to Spokane where he had a private practice from 1908-1962. O.G. developed the system of constitutional hydrotherapy used today, as well as the testing system for food intolerances. After O.G. cured Harold Dick's brother and wife of allegedly incurable ulcers and rheumatoid arthritis, he went to naturopathic medical school and then studied with O.G. for three years. Dr. Harold Dick is the father of Dr. Letitia Dick-Kronenberg - my teacher and mentor of these last two months. Whew! But I couldn't get much closer to the horse's mouth, could I?
What is Constitutional Hydrotherapy (CH)? Simply put, probably the most effective therapy for stimulating the immune system, enhancing metabolism and detoxifying the entire body! The basic treatment is a series of hot and cold towels applied to the chest, abdomen and back. CH can be individualized with physiotherapy, herbal medicine and homeopathy based on the immediate needs of the person.
How Does It Work? Like many things that are abundant, water gets taken for granted. But it is a powerful substance in many ways. As a healing agent, the properties of water are highly stimulating to the body's healing abilities. In CH, the most important property of water is its ability to absorb and give off large amounts of heat. And heat has very specific actions on the body, its circulation and metabolism. In Boyle & Saine's book, Lectures in Naturopathic Hydrotherapy, they summarize it this way, "...heat, the therapeutic agent, is put into water, the vehicle, which is applied to the skin (the port-of-entry to the body); the nervous system responds to the thermic impressions and causes changes in the circulation of the blood and lymph which lead to changes at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels of the body."
   There are many ways to use water in all its forms as therapy. We've all used an ice pack or steam sauna. These can be very effective for local, acute or other specific conditions. CH is different because it works on the whole body. The alternating hot and cold produces predictable effects in the body. Blood flow increases, first to the surface of the skin, then into the core of the body and its internal organs, then back to the surface. With the increase of oxygenated blood to all the tissues of the body, each cell can function more effectively - taking in the nutrients it needs and dumping the wastes it does not. Additionally, immune system function is significantly enhanced, increasing our ability to fight infections naturally. Studies done at Dr. Dick's clinic and at National College of Naturopathic Medicine showed an average increase of 10,000 white blood cells in circulation within six hours of just one treatment! CH builds up the blood, stimulates metabolism and regenerates health.
Indications for CH. You name it! With its ability to stimulate immune function, CH is a great intervention for acute onset of all things infectious. In the last two months, I've used CH for children with ear infections, croup, and stomach aches and for adults with sinus infections, bronchitis and stomach flus. It is also very effective for acute conditions like migraines and menstrual cramps. I have watched people with all sorts of chronic issues - of the gut, female issues, joint pains, chemical sensitivities, malignancies, breathing trouble - improve over time.
Cautions and Contraindications for CH.   There are no real contraindications for CH - everyone can benefit. The intensity of the temperatures or length of treatment can be modified for those who are very debilitated. But there is a caution in that the treatment must be administered appropriately, as too much hot or cold can be counter-productive and even harmful in some cases.

   I am very pleased to be able to continue to offer this fabulous treatment in the Carroll tradition at the WellSpring office.