Student/Therapist Resources

Chapter 9:The Future of Hydrotherapy

Key Concepts

  • The main goal of this chapter is to develop greater understanding of the current and future developments in the use of hydrotherapy and the implications for this role of hydrotherapy in holistic health and wellness in the future.
  • Greater understanding of the scientific behavior of water, especially at the molecular level, can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Greater understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, especially as
    a dynamic fluid cellular system, can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Greater availability of natural products from around the world and better understanding of their use in hydrotherapy treatments can promote the future development
    of hydrotherapy.
  • New developments in the design of hydrotherapy equipment can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Greater understanding of the wisdom of the use of hydrotherapy in the past can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Therapists from around the world, by sharing their experiences of the use of hydrotherapy for health and wellness through the Internet and other channels, can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Greater understanding of the personal health and wellness goals of each client and the general population of clients can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Greater understanding of the hydrosphere can promote the future
    development of hydrotherapy.
  • Greater understanding of the concept of what “nature” is, and what we mean by the concept of natural product and treatments, can promote the future development of hydrotherapy.
  • Based on all of the above possible ways that hydrotherapy will continue to develop in the future, what role do you feel hydrotherapy will play as a key element of holistic health and wellness in the future?

Additional Study, Research, and Teaching Exercises

Suggested Reading & Viewing

Water: A Matrix of Life: Franks, F. (2000). Cambridge, UK: The Royal Society of Chemistry.
This is a very technical, scientific discussion of the behavior of water, mainly at the molecular level.

The Sacred Planet:Walt Disney Products. (2004). Available on DVD (contains beautiful visual expressions of the hydrosphere).
This a beautiful presentation of some indigenous cultures and their wisdom of living in harmony with nature.

Planet Earth: Fothergill, A. (Series producer). (2007). Television series. Silver Spring, MD: Discovery Communications.
This is the highly acclaimed work on the natural beauty and complexity of planet Earth. It offers an amazing view of every aspect of the hydrosphere and its relationship to all living systems.

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