Baths are a type of hydrotherapy (hydrotherapy), that is, the use of water for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, according to the online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net In the treatment of water, its physical and chemical properties are used: high thermal conductivity, significant heat capacity, low viscosity, relative density (close to the relative density of the human body).

Water is also a good solvent for solid, liquid and gaseous inorganic and organic substances..

The mechanism of action of the bath consists of the influence of temperature, mechanical and chemical stimuli on the skin, which is richly supplied with lymphatic and blood vessels, as well as nerve endings, which form a huge receptor field in the human skin.. Thus, different types of exchange are carried out through the skin: heat exchange, water exchange, energy exchange, information exchange, metabolism.

In this case, the speed of metabolic processes can be different, which is determined by the type of information carriers:.

• slow - humoral (from lat. humor - moisture, liquid); type of carriers - fluids of the human internal environment (blood, lymph, tissue (intercellular) fluid);

• fast - nervous; type of carriers - nervous tissue of the human body.

The action of the temperature factor is based on the fact that there is an exchange of thermal energy between the human body and water.. Heat transfer is carried out by two opposite processes - heat production and heat transfer.. The thermoregulation center is located in the hypothalamus, which controls the loss and generation of heat by the body through the skin (Scheme 6).

Mechanism of thermoregulation The process of heat production is expressed mainly in two reactions of the skin:.

1) no sweating; heat production is carried out due to the effect of low water temperature, which leads to an acceleration of the blood flow passing through the vessels of the skin, intensive consumption of yin (cold) energy from the aquatic environment. This energy then serves as a source for the production of heat.. Thus, the external yin energy coming from the water is converted into the internal yang energy that nourishes the human body.. Assimilation of energy occurs quickly, but the reaction of the body is short-lived;

2) expansion of superficial blood vessels; heat production is carried out due to the rule of conduction, that is, the transfer of heat between media or objects that are in direct contact with each other. The impact of high water temperature leads to the transfer of its external yang energy (heat) into the internal yin energy of the human body. The assimilation of energy is slow, which is associated with a slowdown in blood flow caused by the expansion of blood vessels.. The reaction, however, takes a long time..

The process of heat transfer has properties opposite to heat production and is also expressed in two skin reactions:.

1) profuse sweating; heat transfer is carried out due to the evaporation of sweat, the formation of which depends on the amount of blood passing through the vessels of the skin. Exposure to high water temperature leads to vasodilation and slowing of blood flow, which causes active radiation of the yin energy of the human body under the influence of the yang energy of water. The release of energy is slow, the reaction of the body takes a long time;

2) narrowing of superficial blood vessels; heat transfer is carried out by conduction. The impact of low water temperature leads to the transfer of the internal yang energy of a person to the external environment of the yin water. The return of energy occurs quickly due to a sharp narrowing of the blood vessels, but the reaction of the body is short-lived.

There is no doubt that, like all yin-yang relationships, the processes of heat production and heat transfer are interconnected and interdependent.. This dependence can be reflected graphically (Scheme 7).

The processes of the thermoregulation mechanism: a - when exposed to high water temperature; b - when exposed to low water temperature The strength of thermal irritation depends on:.

1) from the difference between the temperature of water and skin;

2) on duration (time), place of application and area of \u200b\u200bimpact;

3) on the reactivity of the organism, its individual characteristics.

The influence of the mechanical factor of the action of baths is determined by the pressure of the liquid on the human body. The force of pressure depends on the volume of the liquid, its density, the presence or absence of water movement..

The mechanical factor, joining the temperature effect, enhances the overall effect of the procedure, causing mainly a change in the circulatory system.. This is because the pressure of the water (due to its greater density) has a tonic effect on the blood and lymph vessels..

The chemical effect is due to the ingredients that make up the baths, and is carried out mainly through the bloodstream.. Baths may include essential oils, infusions and decoctions, minerals, gases and other elements.. The strength of the chemical action corresponds to the strength of the composition itself, which significantly complements the thermal and mechanical action of water with its influence..

Temperature, mechanical and chemical factors undoubtedly influence not only through the fluids of the internal environment of the human body, but also through their effect on different types of receptors (nerve endings - " At the same time, thermoreceptors reflect the influence of the temperature factor, baroreceptors - mechanical, chemoreceptors - the chemical type of action..

However, the listed receptors are far from a complete list.. In the human skin, nerve endings are concentrated in large numbers (per 1 sq.. cm they account for about 300).

The variety of receptors is due to the functional task that this or that area of \u200b\u200bthe skin performs.. Due to the work of various types of receptors, a rapid exchange of information is carried out between the internal environment of a person and the external environment surrounding this organism..

Nerve endings are the first link in the information exchange system, a peripheral analyzer. Their work in the human nervous system is closely related to the functioning of the humoral and endocrine systems, reflecting any changes that occur in their work..

It is important to understand that the action of all these factors causes the activation of various body systems, the work of which ensures the course of vital processes in it.. A complex of mutual influences and connections is formed, which are natural in nature and have a clear order..

The complex relationships of various internal and external influences due to the action of natural laws are summarized by us in practical systems recommended for use in medical practice for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes..

During the procedure, we recommend using therapeutic and prophylactic cycles - daily, weekly, monthly, annual. This will allow you to reasonably and effectively carry out this type of hydrotherapy, to make the physiotherapeutic effect the most adequate to the state of health of a particular person..

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