The idea of using water to cure illness and preserve health is as old as civilization itself. In the 5th century B.C., the Greek physician, Hippocrates, recommended natural spring water for its healing effects. The ancient Greeks believed that water contained the essence of life and the secret of health. The Romans appreciated the relationship of water to cleanliness, relaxation, and general good health. The therapeutic properties of water have been valued throughout history by societies around the world. In Hydrotherapy, water is used internally and externally in all its forms-hot and cold, as liquid, steam, or ice. Traditionally, hydrotherapy consisted of baths, saunas, and compresses, but in modern times, whirlpools and water jets have been introduced.