Partial baths

Naturopathic balneotherapeutic procedure, belonging to hydrotherapy , which involves bathing one or more parts of the body or parts of the body .

Partial baths are used in many different ways, especially within Kneipp therapy. Depending on the part of the body treated, a distinction is made between:

• foot baths (up to the middle of the calf or hand width below the knee)
• Wristbaths
• Seated baths
• Half baths
• Three-quarter baths.

Partial baths are less intensive and have local specific and general effects.

Foot baths require high and oval, bucket-shaped special tubs. Foot baths carried out in flatter vessels do not comply with the Kneipp standard. Historically, it should be noted that Prießnitz refers to the immersion of the feet as a foot bath and the "foot bath according to Kneipp" is actually a bath of the lower leg.

Arm baths are usually taken with the arms bent forward and with crossed arms in elevated pools. These should be deep enough to allow immersion to the middle of the upper arms. There are also side-mounted sit-down baths, where each arm is immersed in its own tub while sitting down.

Sitting baths are carried out in the sitz bath or in a bowl, with the legs out of the water.

Half and three-quarter baths are taken in a normal bathtub. The water level in a half bath is so high that the legs are covered, in a three-quarter bath it reaches down to the pit of the stomach - arms and shoulders protrude from the water.

In Kneipp therapy, the most important partial baths are differentiated according to temperature:

• cold partial baths
• warm-hot (temperature rising - see partial baths rising)
• Alternating partial baths.

For cold partial baths, tap water (preferably around 10 degrees Celsius) is used. The body part is quickly immersed and finished after 10 to 30 seconds, but at the latest when a cutting painful sensation occurs. Afterwards, the clothing is put on without drying off and movement promotes reheating.

In the case of temperature rising or warm-hot baths, the treatment begins with neutral water temperature around 35 degrees Celsius. Hot water is added, so that after about 3 to 5 minutes a temperature of about 40 degrees is reached. Subsequently, hypothermia must be avoided, e.g. by resting in a preheated bed. It is also possible to add a herbal mixture to stimulate the blood circulation.

Alternating baths each require two tubs for a quick change. It always starts with a warm bath lasting 3 to 5 minutes, followed by a cold bath lasting 10 to 30 seconds. Afterwards, one warm and one cold bath is taken again. The warm phase may again contain a herbal mixture.

• Beginning colds: increasing foot baths
• Light forms of pAVK: ascending or alternating foot baths
• Chronic venous disorders (CVI): cold foot baths

• Advanced pAVK: Alternating foot baths
• Coronary heart disease (I25.9) due to a possible reflex coronary spasm.
• Elderly people occasionally react with circulatory instability due to the forward bent posture.

1. Beer André-Michael et al. (2012) [Ed.] Guide to Natural Remedies for Medical Practice, Urban und Fischer Verlag p. 32.