Hydrotherapy has a long tradition. Historical records support the medical profession’s belief in the therapeutic value of water to relax, support, restore and mend. The Romans understood the effect of water, steam and massage in their public bath houses, and various other forms of Hydrotherapy arose independently in cultures ranging from the Far East to the Americas. Later, a number of European towns established themselves as spa resorts but it was only in 19th century Germany that public spas were first opened in significant numbers.
In the 1960s, a visionary Californian engineer made a significant advance in the field of Hydrotherapy when he invented a method of mixing water jets with air. The combination gave the resulting jets both force and direction, thereby replicating many of the effects of traditional manual massage. What differentiated this system from other, earlier approaches was that it gave users the ability to direct the jets, at any given temperature, upon the soft tissues and muscles that most benefit from massage. All the while, the bather could remain relaxed and comfortably reclined.
Thus began the whirlpool bath, now produced worldwide in its millions: for relaxation, for recuperation, for improved mobility and, of course, for simple bathing pleasure.
Nirvana hydrotherapy bath from Cabuchon
Principles: why hydrotherapy works
A hot bath can be both relaxing and enjoyable but the effect is considerably improved by the use of Hydrotherapy jets. These break up the ‘film’ of relatively still water that hugs the bather’s body. The force of the jets enables the water’s heat to be transferred more effectively, with consequent benefits to muscle tissues, blood flow and nerves. Tissues are stretched, circulation is stimulated and lymphatic fluids are properly dispersed throughout the body.
However, the full benefits can only be realised if, like a manual-massage, the pressure is accurately and carefully applied to the appropriate points on the body. At Cabuchon, we have been designing luxury Hydrotherapy systems for over a quarter of a century and we were the first to realise the vital importance of precise targeting and pressure control.
We recognised that if each individual jet could be located and precisely directed, this would enable more accurate targeting of specific muscles and soft tissues. In turn, this would improve the system’s effectiveness. Making the jet nozzles directional would also give the bather the added flexibility to move position and adjust the jets accordingly.
