New hydrotherapy suite opens in Whole Health Center clinic in Lombard
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
National University of Health Sciences hosted a grand opening of
its new hydrotherapy suite in the Whole Health Center clinic on its
Lombard, Ill. campus Friday.
Hydrotherapy is a naturopathic health
tradition that goes back several hundred years and has roots in
various ancient cultures including Greek, Roman and Egyptian.
Hydrotherapy utilizes the therapeutic benefits of water at various
temperatures and is meant to soothe, regulate or stimulate various
systems in the body.
"National University is proud to offer this new suite to the
Chicago-area community, especially since the health benefits from
this therapy can be significant for a variety of ailments," said Fraser Smith,
assistant dean of the NUHS naturopathic program.
Hydrotherapy is performed prescriptively and can affect the body
in profound ways. For example, some hot and cold alternating water
treatments can boost metabolism, improve circulation, stimulate
immunity and lessen the symptoms from certain conditions such as
arthritis. Hot sauna treatments can also help the body eliminate
certain toxins stored in fat tissue.

Full hydrotherapy suites, particularly with the latest,
state-of-the-art equipment and medically-oriented, are a rarity in
the Chicago area. Among accredited naturopathic medicine schools, the
NUHS hydrotherapy suite is also one of the newest in the country.
Compared to some spa suites, treatments at National University may
be more affordable, as well.
"This suite will help attract a larger pool of patients. As a
result, our interns will have more opportunities to treat patients
with these modalities under the supervision of our expert clinical
faculty," Dr. Smith said.
Building the hydrotherapy suite has been several years in the
making. Naturopathic program faculty diligently worked with
university personnel selecting the best flooring, lighting and
layout in order to assure a safe and pleasant experience to
patients.
In addition to healing several types
of ailments and boosting various body systems and functions, the
treatments are also meant to be relaxing. The suite includes many
rooms for multiple types of hydrotherapy modalities offering
constitutional treatments, Russian steams baths and peat immersion
baths. These therapies are typically used with other natural
treatments such as botanical medicine, nutritional improvements, or
lifestyle changes.
Students are able to begin working in the hydrotherapy suite
early, in their seventh trimester, before their normal clinical
internship begins. They introduce patients to the services and
perform basic health tests. For students in their eighth, ninth and
tenth trimester, they have the opportunity to treat more patients
with a larger variety of treatments and with the most modern
equipment.
The Whole Health
Center clinic is located on the university campus in Building
B, just north of the intersection of Highland Avenue
and Roosevelt Road. For more information or to make an
appointment at the clinic call (630) 629-9664.