8Feb/100
Sitz Baths – Hydrotherapy for Healing
For many discomfort symptoms of hemorrhoids, postpartum, yeast infections and other conditions of the rectal and vaginal areas, doctors recommend daily sitz baths from three to several times per day. Sitz baths are not regular baths in that the water is filled only a few inches so as to cover the affected area. Soaking or hydrotherapy is a holistic approach to healing that is well respected in the medical community to promote healing and to ease pain and discomfort. Often, the sitz baths are recommended in addition to creams or other medications to speed recovery.
When a patient is taking up to several sitz baths per day, it is often easier and more economical to purchase an inexpensive portable sitz bath tub that will fit into the toilet seat. This plastic basin is easy to fill and empty and makes taking sitz baths treatments quicker and uses less water and time than filling a large tub a few inches high several time daily.
Whether the recommendation from your healthcare provider includes adding ingredient to the soaking will depend both on the condition and the healthcare provider. For postpartum discomfort, it is usually suggested that the water temperature is cold rather than hot or that the patient alternated between hot and cold soakings. For hemorrhoids it is likely that the water should be hot and quite often physicians will suggest adding salt such as Epsom salts and or baking soda to the sitz baths.
While actual healing may or may not result from sitz baths, relief of pain and discomfort while soaking is usually a definitive occurance. This opportunity to relax and to be free from pain, without pain medications is excellent for new moms who are nursing and don’t wish to pass on any chemicals to their infants. Also, the mind is a very powerful tool for healing.
When the mind has a chance to focus on that healing and relaxing rather than the pain, the healing process is expedited and therefore, frequent sitz baths do contribute to healing and recovering from some rectal and vaginal medical issues and conditions.