The healing properties of hydrotherapy have been known for a long time. It is not for nothing that Roman baths have been popular since ancient times. Many famous scientists and doctors thought about the beneficial properties of water, about its effect on the human body. About a hundred years ago, the invention of the Frenchman Jean-Martin Charcot made a splash in medicine. The use of this method of treatment made it possible to get rid of numerous diseases. Why this method is so interesting, let's try to figure it out.
What is it and how did it arise?
Studying the beneficial properties of water, the famous French physician Jean Martin Charcot found out that when using a jet of water directed in a certain way to areas of the body, a positive effect can be expected. Initially, Charcot's douche was used to treat neurological diseases, allowing patients to relieve pain and stress.
Jean Martin Charcot was involved in neurology and psychotherapy, trying to reduce the manifestations of diseases in patients and improve the functioning of the central nervous system. After some time, medicinal properties began to be used in other branches of medicine and cosmetology.
Now the technique is also used by many beauty salons, because thanks to its peculiarities, the hydro-procedure helps to get rid of not only many diseases, but also to correct aesthetic imperfections.
It is a way to get rid of stretch marks, sagging skin and cellulite that are so worried about many women who take care of their bodies.
Charcot shower is a massage that is performed using a strong jet of water directed to a specific area. At the same time, the water temperature ranges from cool to hot, from 20 to 45 degrees Celsius.
During the procedure, vasoconstriction and expansion occurs , due to which the patient begins to feel vigorous, the body is in good shape. Using a Charcot shower, you can get rid of many diseases, especially for the cardiovascular and circulatory system, since during the procedure, an increased supply of oxygen to the blood begins, which saturates all organs with useful substances.
Massage sessions allow you to activate the lymphatic processes, thereby increasing the nutrition of cells, improving metabolic processes, and removing toxins.
Not all women have the opportunity to regularly visit beauty salons and undergo treatment sessions to get rid of cellulite and other problems, so the appearance on the market of the Alekseeva shower head allows you to use it at home.
It fits into any household mixer and does not require a strong water pressure. The device consists of micro-holes made in the nozzle, through which water passes, forming very thin jets with a diameter of 0.6 mm. Upon contact with the skin, a pressure of up to 4 atmospheres is exerted, which is sufficient to obtain a therapeutic effect.
Whether you need such a shower at home or not, you can argue for a long time, but after a treatment session you can get rid of:
- cellulite;
- accelerate cell metabolism;
- reduce body fat and shape the figure;
- normalize lymph flow;
- improve skin elasticity;
- exfoliate dead cells.
Benefits and harms: effects
When carrying out the procedures, the body begins the process of self-healing, the work of internal organs and systems begins to return to normal. Hydromassage affects the immune system of a person who begins to feel younger, more vigorous, full of energy.
I would especially like to note the influence of the Charcot shower on women. This procedure has a fat burning effect. When exposed to a powerful jet of water on problem areas, you can quickly restore the skin and make it more elastic, practically get rid of the orange peel. When carrying out such a procedure, many patients noted noticeable results before and after the procedure, while they were not long in coming, and extra pounds also go away.
The method combines tonic and calming effects. This is especially important for those who suffer from overwork and have chronic fatigue syndrome.
Charcot shower helps to eliminate fatigue, promote relaxation of the nervous system, get rid of insomnia and depression. The procedures have a relaxing effect on the spine, as a result of which nervous and muscle tension, joint spasms are relieved.
Charcot's shower is used for many diseases:
- depression;
- chronic fatigue and overwork;
- apathy and neuroses;
- osteochondrosis, arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism;
- VSD;
- gout:
- allergy.
It is possible to use water procedures not only in the presence of diseases, but also for prevention purposes. Massage is often used to improve immunity, relax muscles after intense exertion, to get rid of cellulite.
Rules of conduct and admission
Before the procedure, it is recommended to consult a doctor, since massage cannot be used for certain diseases. The doctor will give detailed advice and indicate which areas should be affected.
You can visit Charcot's shower without preliminary preparation, you just need to have a swimsuit or swimming trunks, a cap for the head and flip flops or flip flops. Before starting the procedure, they put on a bathing suit and go to the shower room.
The technique of the session is as follows: the patient enters the shower room and stands at a distance of about 3 meters from the nurse or other specialist. The stream of water is lowered from top to bottom, massaging the desired areas of the body. The final result depends on how correctly the specialist does the hydromassage.
The procedure should be started from the back, then the patient begins to turn, alternating between the back and the front. With facial rotation, a circular massage of the abdomen is performed. During the procedure, the specialist avoids getting a line of water on the spine, head, and mammary glands. The stream of water is directed from the limbs to the abdomen. At the initial stages of treatment, water temperatures are 40 degrees, then there is a constant decrease in temperature to 20 degrees.
During the procedure, a gradual decrease in temperature occurs, going from hot to cold. At the beginning of the procedure, hot water is used up to 42 degrees, and then cold water with a temperature of up to 20 degrees is turned on for 20 seconds. The next session increases the temperature difference. Each time during a session, the water pressure is increased and the temperature is decreased.
During the first few sessions, the body will get used to the load ; at this time, one water jet is used. If this action is not enough, the patient can come closer at will. If the patient feels soreness or discomfort, you can move away. All this time, a specialist is watching his well-being and says what and how to do.
An individual program is selected for each patient, which takes into account the recommendations of the doctor, taking into account the diseases, while massage of certain parts of the body is performed.
During the first hydromassage sessions, patients may experience slight discomfort. Girls with white and particularly sensitive skin may have bruises on their bodies. In dark-skinned girls, such bruises are usually less noticeable. The unpleasant sensations disappear after 2-3 sessions, hematomas no longer appear and the body gradually gets used to the procedure.
Time and frequency of the procedure
Coming to the procedures, many patients ask how often they should be performed and how long the treatment should be. After visiting the doctor, the time required for the procedure is determined to get rid of diseases and cosmetic defects.
Such treatment is carried out in the salon, since this requires special equipment , the procedures are carried out by a nurse or other specialist. The session lasts from one to five minutes, the time is determined by the doctor. The course of the massage is up to three weeks, such procedures can be done every day. After six months, the course of massage therapy can be repeated.
To get the desired effect, 12-15 sessions are enough, which are carried out every day or once every two days. It depends on how well the patient tolerates the procedure.
There are Scottish and Charcot's fan showers. For Scottish, two hoses with water of different temperatures are used, you can also use one hose in which the water temperature is alternately changed. For 30 seconds, warm water is directed at the patient, and then cold water is poured over for 20 seconds. So in six minutes the temperature changes six times. Conduct up to 20 sessions every day or every other day. If the procedure is performed only on certain areas of the body, the procedures should be increased to 30 sessions.
With the fan-shaped method, the procedure is carried out in the same way, but using a special nozzle. With its help, water is sprayed in the form of a fan. This procedure lasts 1 minute, water with a temperature of 20 to 32 degrees is used, while the water flow varies from 1.5 to 3 atmospheres. The sessions are held every day.
For women who are engaged in fitness to maintain their figure, the Charcot shower can be visited twice a week, while there is no need to take a break. After the procedures, you can apply an anesthetic gel if discomfort and pain are felt in the muscles, or a remedy for bruises so that they dissolve faster.
Pros and cons
Although Charcot's douche has many advantages, you should find out if there are contraindications for its use and what are the pros and cons of this procedure.
Considering that the stream of water hits the body under strong pressure, this procedure can be painful. Often, hematomas appear at the site of water impacts; these can be small, almost invisible bruises or large hematomas. Bruises are especially visible in women with sensitive skin and blond hair.
Some patients feel uncomfortable and often stop treatment. Usually, after several procedures, bruises stop appearing. When starting treatment, it should be borne in mind that when hematomas appear, you will have to wait about two weeks until they disappear. So if women have to rest in a swimsuit, they should undergo a hydromassage in advance so that the bruises have time to disappear.
Those patients who are very sensitive to this procedure may be prescribed other methods in the form of an underwater shower or massage.
Women need to take into account that it is not recommended to undergo this procedure during menstruation, especially since it is impossible for pregnant women, as this can provoke complications. After giving birth, women can undergo a course of procedures to restore their tone.
Recommendations and possible contraindications should not be ignored , otherwise, instead of a positive effect, you can harm your health. All procedures must be carried out by a qualified specialist, otherwise such a shower can be harmful to the body.
Before starting the course, it is better to listen to the doctor's recommendations and take sessions in special institutions.
The following factors are a huge advantage of the procedure:
- such massage is inexpensive;
- has high efficiency;
- the work of the circulatory system improves;
- harmful substances and toxins are removed;
- the skin becomes youthful and elastic.
Recently, these procedures have become the most relevant for getting rid of cellulite, which worries many women. Thanks to the procedure, blood circulation begins to accelerate and metabolic processes improve. After the session, subcutaneous fat begins to burn and cellulite becomes less noticeable.
Do not forget that getting rid of cellulite, as well as losing weight, is impossible if you do not combine massage with proper nutrition and exercise. In this case, the effect will not be long in coming, and after a few procedures a positive result will be noticeable.
Before the session, a doctor is consulted, since this water massage is contraindicated in certain diseases, such as:
- phlebeurysm;
- gynecological diseases;
- heart diseases;
- blood diseases;
- acute skin diseases;
- stomach ulcer.
In the presence of such diseases, a doctor's consultation is required, in some cases they are allowed.
You can not carry out procedures when:
- menses;
- kidney disease;
- increased body temperature;
- oncology;
- pregnancy;
- myoma;
- hernia;
- tuberculosis;
- heart attack and stroke.
After giving birth, if you have had a cesarean section, you should wait at least six months until the suture is completely healed. You should also definitely consult a gynecologist.
Charcot's shower is considered especially useful for those who suffer from diseases of the nervous system, such patients need hydromassage. Thanks to the pressure of hot water, you can relieve stress, calm down with neurosis and obsession. A stream of water directed to certain areas allows you to calm down the nervous system, bring it back to normal.
Can I arrange at home?
Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to do the procedure at home in the bathroom with their own hands. At home, you can carry out hydromassage, but the effect of the procedure will be less. This is due to the fact that during the hydromassage, water is supplied with a strong powerful jet at a distance of 3 meters. It is extremely difficult to achieve the same effect in modern apartments. To raise the tone, a contrasting daily shower with a special massage spray is quite suitable. But this method will be significantly lower in efficiency than Charcot's douche.
Now a replacement for Charcot's soul has appeared in stores - the Alekseev nozzle. It can be called an analogue of a hydromassage. The design has a nozzle, thanks to the use of which you can achieve the greatest effect.
Alekseev's shower works like a fire hose, that is, a lot of streams fly out of small holes. During work, the water is not sprayed, but pours in one powerful jet and affects a certain part of the body.
Installation of Alekseev's shower is not difficult, for this you need:
- unscrew the shower head;
- screw the adapter to the hydro-massager;
- fasten the nozzle to the hose.
Alekseev's shower has two nets - for holes 19 and 61, thanks to which the patient chooses the intensity and direction of the jet himself. If you use a 19-hole mesh, you can get a needle massage to get rid of cellulite. When using a mesh with 61 holes, you can achieve a maximum effect that will be even greater than in a Charcot shower. Thus, it is quite possible to make a home therapeutic shower.
Most often, the Alekseev's attachment is purchased by women for the purpose of losing weight.
Thanks to this procedure, you can:
- break down subcutaneous fat;
- normalize blood circulation, speed up metabolism;
- remove toxins;
- warm up the skin and muscles.
In addition to cosmetic defects, these procedures are used for many diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous system, with meteorological dependence, menopause, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Reviews of doctors and patients
A lot of positive reviews were left by patients undergoing a course of hydromassage. Also, many doctors of different specialties were interviewed. According to doctors, this procedure should be carried out exclusively according to the indications of the attending physician, who takes into account chronic diseases. Only a highly qualified specialist should carry out the procedure, otherwise only a negative effect can be achieved instead of a positive one.
Charcot's shower, according to doctors, is very effective. But one should take into account the opinion of a gynecologist, who is categorically against the use of hydromassage on the abdomen and inner thighs and groin in women. The cosmetologist recommends such treatment for cellulite, but only after consulting a doctor.
For many patients, this procedure was quite painful, especially the first time. But after passing two or more procedures, the discomfort and pain sensations disappeared, vigor and energy appeared. After 10 procedures, the skin became firmer and smoother.
To obtain a therapeutic effect, it is better to complete the full course. Many patients recommend going through one procedure and not taking the entire course at once to determine whether this procedure is suitable, whether it will cause discomfort and pain.
For more information on using a Charcot shower, see the video.