What Is a Sitz Bath and How to Take One?
Healing Waters
The term sitz bath comes from the German word sitzen which means ’to sit’. You sit in a shallow pool of water to promote healing. This is a simple home remedy for restoring health, relieving pain, and speeding healing. In a sitz bath the water is either hot or cold; ice can be used to bring down the temperature of a cold sitz bath. This increases blood circulation and reduces inflammation in the pelvic area.
What is a sitz bath used for? It is ideal for healing after an episiotomy, for treating hemorrhoids, or any type of pain in the pelvic area. Hot sitz baths are specifically beneficial for prostate problems, painful testicles, uterine cramps, muscular disorders, and hemorrhoids. Cold sitz baths are great for constipation, impotence, inflammation, and vaginal discharge. Using both hot and cold hydrotherapy can be useful for swollen ankles, congestion, headaches, abdominal disorders, blood poisoning, and muscle disorders.
How to Use
This easy-to-use therapy has so many benefits for a range of common problems. How to take a sitz bath? You can either use a special sitz bath basin which can be found at home health care stores, or simply use the tub. Fill the basin or tub with enough water to completely cover the pelvic area.
For a hot sitz bath, make sure the water temperature is from 104 to 106 degrees F ( do not exceed 110 degrees F). To ease yourself into this hot temperature you can start with hot water of about 90 degrees and gradually add very hot water to raise the temperature. Placing a cool washcloth over your forehead will make sitting in the hot sitz bath more comfortable. Sit in the water for twenty to forty minutes, which is plenty of time for the heat and steam to do it’s work. When finished a cool shower may be refreshing.
For a cold sitz bath fill the tub with ice water. Only immerse yourself for about thirty seconds. Beyond one minute it is no longer beneficial to sit in the cold water.
To alternate between a hot and cold bath you will need two basins. Sit in the hot bath first for three to four minutes followed by the cold water for about thirty seconds.
Now that you know how to take a sitz bath and what a sitz bath is should you go ahead with this simple, yet remarkably effective therapy? Talk to your doctor before using hydrotherapy if you have any serious medical conditions. Then go ahead and find relief and restoration with the hot and cold therapy of steaming or icy waters.
References
Harrison, Jane, R.D. “Bottom’s up: Get Some Relief with a Sitz Bath.” (Optimum Health) https://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/Information/item/From+Hemorrhoids+to+Episiotomies%3A+Get+S?archiveChannel=Home%2FArticle&clicked=true
Balch, Phyllis, CNC. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.” (Penguin Group, 2006).
photo by: D Basu (CC/flickr)
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