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72 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 2 0 Breitenbush Hot Springs Deep in the Oregon woods, Breitenbush Hot Springs bills itself as a remote nature- based sanctuary—a place to get away from it all. Patrons are drawn by natural hot pools deep in a fir forest with one pool especially reserved for silent contemplation. Other hydrotherapy facilities include a rustic wooden steam bath over a hot creek and cold plunges. A basic team of four massage therapists offer primarily Swedish relaxation massage, with more therapists added during the busy summer season. The combination of hydrotherapy, either before or after massage sessions, deepens the effectiveness of the bodywork and makes for a happier, more relaxed guest than if either modality was offered alone. NEW CREATIVE USES FOR HYDROTHERAPY While most of the following hydrotherapy techniques are not new, many are updated. Creative therapists continue to come up with helpful ways to use hydrotherapy to ease client discomfort from common conditions such as traumatic injuries, chronic pain, depression, and the after-effects of cancer. No (or Limited) Ice, Baby! In 1978, sports medicine doctor Gabe Mirkin, MD, began promoting ice applications for injuries such as sprains, strains, and bruises. He even coined the term RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). 1 Mirkin originally thought using ice immediately after an injury would delay swelling and reduce pain, but the latest research shows that swelling is a sign of white blood cells rushing to a damaged area to heal it. In 2015, Mirkin backtracked his icing recommendation after finding that many scientific studies show no healing benefits. Instead, it was found that icing can injure tissue, which leads to the restriction of blood flow (by the contraction of blood vessels) and slows activity of white blood use light Swedish techniques unless a doctor prescribes special bodywork for scar tissue, contractures, or constipation. Thermae Bath Spa The Thermae Bath Spa of Bath, England, is billed as England's first and only natural thermal spa, which has been famed for millennia for the curative powers of its waters. Thermae Bath Spa has taken various forms, such as an ancient Roman bath complete with separate massage rooms for each gender, a medieval refuge for sick and leprous locals, a full-scale hospital with patients from all over Europe, and a rehabilitation center for wounded English soldiers. Today, the entire town of Bath is a World Heritage site and tourist mecca, and the waters are used in a modern, multi-level spa facility. Along with steam rooms, specialty showers, an infrared sauna, an ice chamber, and large swimming pools (with colored lights, special jets, and artificial currents) are 24 treatment rooms. At least 800 patrons use the spa each day in the summer. Thermae has a team of 50 massage therapists who are ready to add bodywork to the spa's water experiences. Thermae generally hires massage therapists who have trained in "beauty massage," which in England means pampering and beauty treatments rather than medical or therapeutic ones. Thermae then trains massage therapists in its specific treatments, including facials, body wraps, and various styles of massage. Watsu holds pride of place as Thermae's signature treatment and is performed in the natural thermal waters. Creative therapists continue to come up with helpful ways to use hydrotherapy to ease client discomfort from common conditions such as traumatic injuries, chronic pain, depression, and the after- effects of cancer.