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Water Therapy EffectivenessClinical Studies of Water TherapyCold Water EffectIn 1990, the Hannover Medical School decided to test the Father Kniepp method, a method that he claimed would prevent infection.50 medical students volunteered to participate in a six-month trial. 25 students took a daily early morning shower of two to three minutes for three weeks, as recommended by the founder of water therapy. The water was made increasingly colder everyday. The cold shower was discontinued when the subjects had a cold and for a week after that. Meanwhile, the 25 other volunteers took warm showers throughout the period. In the first month, there was no noticeable difference between the two groups. In the second and third months, students who took cold showers had half the number of colds compared to students in the warm shower group. Those in the cold shower group, who caught colds, said that the cold was shorter and less acute. Over a century earlier, Father Kniepp had suggested that regular cold showers had a hardening effect and could protect the body against infection. This study proved that Father Kniepp was correct. Other BenefitsA study conducted at The Thrombosis Research Institute at London's Brompton Hospital found that exposure to cold baths had some dramatic benefits. These included:
Use in SportsIn a 1995 European study, warm underwater jet massage was used to treat athletes. The study reported that the athlete's performance was enhanced by the use of water jet massage.Other StudiesA research study conducted in the United States, found that water therapy could ease cases of varicose veins.In 1986, British Medical Journal acknowledged that Sitz baths are helpful in healing anal fissures. Also Read:
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