Health Benefits of the Kneipp Hydrotherapy Procedure
One of the most well-known and widely used methods of hydrotherapy today is the Kneipp path. It is named after its founder, the German priest Sebastian Kneipp, who contributed to the development of hydrotherapy methods. What does it consist of and why should we enjoy walking along the Kneipp path regularly?
In 1849, Sebastian Kneipp, a theology student who was seriously ill at the time, began to treat his own tuberculosis with the help of cooling procedures, namely bathing in the cold Danube. After a cold bath or dowsing the body, he always warmed up. When he finished his studies and became a priest in 1952, he was already completely healthy. Kneipp then continued to study writings on hydrotherapy as well as the work of Vinzenz Priessnitz and performed several experiments on the healthy and the sick. In 1886, he summarized his findings in his best-known book, My Water Cure. Kneipp practiced his methods in Bad Wörishofen in Bavaria, and his procedures are still used by spas and wellness centers around the world.
One of the hydrotherapy techniques based on Kneipp’s research is the Kneipp path. This hydromassage procedure works on the principle of alternating hot and cold water while simultaneously massaging the feet. The Kneipp path consists of pools with chilly water, which should be around 12 °C, and with warm water up to 40 °C. The application of cold water must always be short, just a few seconds to have the desired effects, while we can spend up to a minute in warm water.
We always enter warm water first, so that the body warms up. Warm water slows down the activity of the organs and calms down. Chilly water, on the other hand, increases internal activity and refreshes our body and mind. The walking process is repeated several times, while the pebbles at the bottom of the pools massage our feet and contribute to improving blood circulation. We always finish the procedure with a stay in cold water.
The Kneipp path brings several significant health benefits. Primarily, it is an overall strengthening of our immunity during regular practice, as with all hydrotherapy based on the alternation of temperatures. The Kneipp procedure helps prevent colds, migraines, and blood circulation problems. Since it improves overall blood circulation, it helps to improve the functioning of the heart and nervous system and prevent headaches. Already after the first practice, we will feel an improvement in the limb blood flow, which relieves the cold feet syndrome.
Although two pools are sufficient for the procedure, we also implement larger walkways with four, six, or eight pools in a row. Kneipp paths located in a circle with a railing in the middle are also extremely popular, allowing you to go around for as long as you want without interrupting the procedure. Emotionally, the experience of the Kneipp procedure can be enhanced by colored LED backlighting or using different colored stones, which are chosen so that their tone contributes to the impression of warming or refreshing. If you are thinking about purchasing a Kneipp path for your private or public wellness, you can make it custom-made with us.
