Hydrotherapy for Long COVID Relief

The Springs Resort Medical Director, Dr. Marcus Coplin recognizes that bathing in thermal mineral water has had positive effects on Long-COVID and encourages visits to hot springs as a way to regain strength and resiliency during post-COVID recovery:

The mechanisms of “Long-COVID” are far from completely understood. However, by examining the presentation from a convalescence (the returning to health from illness) perspective, programs of aquatic therapy, hydrothermal therapy, physiotherapy, and other therapeutic interventions have provided benefits to those suffering. In convalescence, the role of physical rehabilitation overrides the perspective of long-term immunological intervention. To say it simply, the damage has been done, and now the work is in rebuilding the body beyond the eradication of active infection.

Health Resorts internationally have taken up the task of intensive rehabilitation programs and are showing a positive effect. Two exemplary studies, one from the Czech Republic and one a joint study from Russia and Italy, conducted in the Health Resort model, show … “that the comprehensive spa rehabilitation treatment in Mariánské Lázně is an effective therapeutic procedure providing the improvement of physical, mental, social and work abilities of the patients. There is a significant positive influence on post-covid complications, namely pulmonary functions…” (EVALUATION OF THE POST-COVID PROGRAMME EFFECTS IN THE ENSANA REHABILITATION AND HEALTH FACILITY, MARIÁNSKÉ LÁZNĚ, 2021) and that Health Resort style interventions “demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in exercise tolerance.” (Can aquatic exercises contribute to the improvement of the gait stereotype function in patients with Long COVID outcomes?, 2022). These are just two examples of the work being produced at Health Resorts internationally, and both regions mentioned accept health tourists for intensive Long-Covid Rehabilitation programs.

Fundamentally, the successful treatment of “Long-Covid” is in understanding that the Covid Virus is no longer the focus, and systems of physical strengthening and system regulation must be applied to the patient in a rational and consistent manner. And although a full program of treatment would include other elements of care such as exercise and physical therapy among others, the Hydrothermal pieces can be simulated at home.

Often the Hydrothermal elements of a Health Resort treatment are administered up to twice per day, with ample rest periods and adequate hydration and light but nourishing meals. A course of treatment can take 3 weeks of daily therapy. Without the guidance of trained Physician supervision, the following home treatments should not be considered as a substitute for medical care. With any of the recommendations below, ensure you are monitoring yourself, and do not push yourself too hard. If you feel lightheaded, or faint, or your heart rate is elevated, or your breath is fast, it is time to stop. Get out slowly (remember you are all wet!) dry off and take some time to rest before engaging in life’s activities. If you have a condition for which you are under care, consult with your physician before attempting the following at-home treatments.

At-Home Thermal Mineral Bath:

Fill a bathtub with hot water. Add approximately 5 cups of Epsom Salts to the water. Soak for 15-30 mins. Hydrate. The heat from the water, plus the effect of being immersed in the bath combine with the mineral brine you create with the Epsom Salts for a relaxing, and health-promoting soak. Therapeutic mineral water has a high concentration of at least 1000 mg/L of mineral salt.

At-Home Contrast Shower:

For those without a tub, the contrast shower can be a good substitute. You begin with a hot shower, the kind that turns the skin a bright healthy pink. Then you change the water temperature to cold. Rinse the body from the tips of the fingers toward the heart, and from the toes toward the tummy. Get your head wet, get your chest wet, get your back wet. It won’t be comfortable at first, and that is actually ok. The cold portion should last at least 30 seconds (count out loud, it takes your mind off of the cold water!)

Warm back up with hot water, until you are comfortable again. Then… back to cold. Do this cycle a total of three times. The contrast expands and contracts the blood vessels of the skin called capillary beds. It creates a pumping action for the blood, acting as a circulatory stimulant. The adaptation your body undergoes the hot and cold is also good for the nervous system and helps it find an equilibrium that is health-promoting.

At-Home Cold Water Immersion:

This one is for serious home soakers. Fill your tub with cold water (you can even add a bag of ice if you are looking for a challenge). It’s good to get a rhythm going with your breath, and keeping your attention on your breath helps keep your mind from panicking when you take the next step…. which is lowering yourself into the tub. Try and immerse as much of your body as you can, but keep your head out. Stay in for at least 30 – 120 seconds. Get out and warm up, and go again if you like! You can start with cool (but not cold) water if you want to practice. This has a powerful effect on the body, not only directly by shunting your blood supply to your vital organs, but also reflexively as your nervous system regulates your body to warm itself again. The endorphin rush from this one makes Cold Water Converts out of many a skeptic!

Dr. Coplin’s Bonus Hydrotherapy:

After a hot shower, wring out a thin towel in cool to cold water (it should not be dripping). Wrap this towel around your body, from your underarms to your hips, and tuck it so that the towel is touching as much of your body as possible. Put on a bathrobe, or swaddle in a warm blanket. Your body heat will start warming the towel almost instantly and in about 15-30 mins the towel will be totally warmed. This is the whole treatment – your body’s response to the towel and its ability to warm it up is an incredible circulatory, lymphatic (detox), and immune stimulant. Variations of this treatment have been carried out for hundreds of years in Health Resorts, and I use this in combination with other therapies in my office to treat a variety of complex cases. It is especially useful if you are feeling like you are about to get sick, or if you are convalescing from an illness.