All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Therapeutic baths
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
Medicinal baths can be local, whirlpool, contrast, oxygen and turpentine.
[ 1 ]
Local medicinal baths
Chamber and sitting hydrotherapy procedures. Chamber baths can be two-chamber for legs or arms and four-chamber for all extremities. In sitting baths, the pelvis, stomach and upper thighs are immersed in water. The parts of the body outside the bath are wrapped in a sheet or blanket.
Local therapeutic baths come in different temperatures and durations, which determines the strength of their effect. Warm baths last 10-20 minutes, cold baths - 3-6 minutes. A course of 12-18 procedures is prescribed, daily or every other day. A slow increase in water temperature and a small surface area of exposure, the absence of rapid and pronounced vascular reactions ensure good tolerability of such a procedure. Local baths have a beneficial effect on cardiac activity and cerebral circulation. They are prescribed when there are contraindications for general baths (procedures are carried out every other day or 2 times a week, a course of 12-14 baths).
Whirlpool therapeutic baths
Baths with turbulent water movement. General and local (for limbs) whirlpool baths are distinguished. Soft tissue massage with water relieves pain, improves trophism and neuromuscular conductivity. The usual duration of the procedure is 10-20 minutes at a temperature of 24-42 °C. A course of 12-18 baths is prescribed, daily or every other day.
Contrast therapeutic baths
Alternating effects of water with a contrasting temperature. Contrast baths are administered in two small pools located next to each other, in which the patient can be in a vertical position and move freely. Contrast baths increase psychoemotional tone, carbohydrate tolerance, the metabolic effect of hormones, improve lipid metabolism, vegetative homeostasis, and reduce tissue hypoxia. As the patient adapts to temperature stimuli, oxidation and thermogenesis processes are normalized (as a result of an increase in the content of free forms of thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids in the blood). Therapeutic baths have an immunocorrective property. A course of contrast baths normalizes blood pressure and water-electrolyte balance, and increases the contractile function of the myocardium. Systematic alternation of muscle relaxation and tension during contrast baths provides physiological training of the mobility of the main nervous processes (due to feedback between the muscles and the central nervous system). The advantage of contrast baths as a training factor is considered to be the active mode of implementation.
Oxygen baths
To enhance the irritating effect on the skin, the water in the bath is saturated with oxygen bubbles. The mechanical action of the oxygen bubbles stimulates the skin's nerve receptors, reflexively dilates the skin capillaries, and accelerates blood flow.
Oxygen baths enhance inhibition processes in the central nervous system, reduce arterial tone and blood pressure, moderately increase cardiac output, increase the oxygen content in arterial blood, and improve oxidative processes. According to some data, oxygen baths increase the activity of the anticoagulant system, reduce muscle spasticity in the affected limbs, and reduce trophic disorders.
Turpentine medicinal baths
Adding turpentine, a powerful chemical irritant, to water causes reflex changes in physiological systems. Turpentine baths improve microcirculation and selectively enhance the aerobic link of metabolism. The corrective effect of a course of baths on hormonal and immune homeostasis, an increase in the metabolic effect of hormones in target tissues, and a decrease in tissue hypoxia have been proven. Therapeutic baths normalize the tone of the autonomic nervous system, improve trophism of peripheral tissues and conductivity along nerve fibers.