I think that every health practitioner should get a copy of this complete and invaluable book.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Panacea Or Placebo  Jun 01, 2008 By Chan Joon Yee "Dr Chan"
Water has been used for healing since the times of the ancient Greeks. Dian Buchman, like many revivers of ancient therapies finds it ironic that it's only in recent years that such therapies are rediscovered. This book gives very detailed information on this ancient art of healing.

Part 1 tells us how water of various temperatures, applied in different ways, can have therapeutic effects on the body. Part 2 goes into the details of the various techniques of applying heat and cold on various parts of the body. Baths, compresses and showers with additives like salt, bran, bicarbonate are mentioned. A wide variety of hand bath and foot baths is also given. Steam and tonic techniques are mentioned as well.

Then, the author goes into water healing for common ailments. This is where I get sceptical. My problem lies not so much with the treatment but the diagnosis of the problem. How does the hydrotherapist diagnose a problem like "swollen feet"? Even body odour can have dozens of different causes. Can the same treatment apply to all cases of "nosebleed", "mouth sores"? What about children who have a "crying spell"?

Though the author mentions that water treatment doe not replace medical attention, the book has already recommended self diagnosis by people who are not medically trained. I'm also quite doubtful of treatment like ascorbic acid baths. Potentially dangerous are recommendations for heart patients.

Next chapter deals with hydrotherapy for sports injuries and exercise. This is perhaps the part of the book that I agree most with. Most of these treatments are tried and tested and injuried sportsmen do feel better with them. This is perhaps the most useful and least controversial part of the whole book.

9 of 12 found the following review helpful:


Water the "secret" medicine  Sep 06, 2004 By William E. Marks "water researcher/writer/speaker"
I respect Dian Dincin Buchman's research on water healing. So much so, that I mention her work twice in my book, "The Holy Order of Water". While speaking before audiences, I remind them that "water" was once the universal medicine of all people on Earth. Today, water has become more of a "secret" medicine used by those of us who do our reading or who have contact with hydrotherapy in some form.

In my mind, water is being rediscovered as a healing agent for our bodies; mental and emotional health, and souls. In fact, I firmly believe the future of our civilization will be determined by our evolving relationship with water.


Its good but a bit simple  Jul 18, 2011 By Daniel
The idea is great but the book is a bit simple, out of the hundreds of complaints the cure is all the same wash in water with a differing duration. I wish it had a bit more background and content.

5 of 13 found the following review helpful:


Heavy  Oct 22, 2004 By Dorraine M. Rooney
I thought it would be different...it has a lot of treatments and it is a good book...just not a great one...