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MK Physiotherapy, located in Syfred Douglas St, Cape Town, South Africa offers patients Watsu procedures among its total of 24 available procedures, across 2 different specialties. Currently, there's no pricing information for Watsu procedures at MK Physiotherapy, as all prices are available on request only. All procedures and treatments are undertaken by the lead specialist at the Hospital, and they are accredited by HPCSA - Health Professions Council of South Africa
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Watsu is a form of water therapy (hydrotherapy) that involves massages, stretches, and acupressure in warm water. Watsu comes from the words water and Shiatsu (meaning “finger pressure” in Japanese) is a traditional Japanese massage that can reduce stress and ease neck, shoulder, and back pain using acupressure.
Watsu can be performed on different groups of people, including children, adults, seniors, athletes, and pregnant mothers. It has many benefits but is most commonly used to ease pain and tension that is caused by a range of conditions. It may provide relief for those who have:
Low back pain
Muscle tension
Chronic pain
Discomfort during pregnancy
Depression
Anxiety
Stress-related conditions
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Sleep disorders
Neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis)
Fibromyalgia
Spinal cord injury
Injury rehabilitation.
This type of therapy can be used to improve joint mobility and physical movement as well.
Watsu sessions can be customized to your specific conditions. It can involve massages, movements, and stretches that are designed to ease your symptoms.
Watsu is performed in a pool or hot tub and the water is heated to around 35°C, which is close to the temperature of your skin. To increase relaxation, Watsu is usually performed in a peaceful setting and many therapists play soothing music while they carry out the therapy.
During your Watsu sessions, you will typically need to wear floating devices on your legs or arms. To start the session, you will enter the water and float on your back. You may have to rest the back of your head and knees in your therapist’s forearms. The therapist will gently move your body in water. This is called passive hydrotherapy because you do not have to actively perform the movements.
The therapist will slowly move your body in large circles, and alternate between extending their arms and drawing them in to move you back and forth in the water. Your arms and legs will then be extended in gentle, repetitive patterns. In some cases, they may also twist, bend, or lift different parts of your body. The therapist may also rest your head on their shoulder and move you in large circles. Throughout the whole session, pressure points on your body will be massaged gently.
Since there is typically no recovery time or follow-up checkups, you can leave Cape Town on the same day of the therapy or as soon as you want to. Note that you may need more than one Watsu session, so if you do not want to go back and forth between your home and Cape Town, you can choose to stay in the area until you finish all of your sessions.
There is no recovery time after Watsu sessions. You can usually go back to your normal routine, including work and exercise, immediately after the procedure. However, this depends on your specific condition. For instance, if you have spinal cord injury, your therapist and doctors may recommend you to take some time off work until you have fully recovered. Talk to your therapist and/or doctor regarding the specific recovery period for your individual case.
No aftercare is required for the Watsu itself. However, depending on the specific condition you have, you may need special aftercare to help you recover. For example, if you have Watsu for spinal cord injury, you may also need to undergo occupational therapy and use assistive devices to maximize your function.
Watsu is a safe procedure with high success rates. Several studies revealed that there is a positive correlation between pain relief and Watsu. In a 2013 study, 12 people with fibromyalgia had reduced symptoms after completing 15 sessions. A 2019 study showed that a group of children with juvenile arthritis experience less pain after Watsu.
It is also proven to reduce anxiety. According to a small 2014 case report, someone with temporomandibular disorders have lower anxiety levels after they underwent Watsu.
While it is safe and effective, it does have several drawbacks and side effects. Since it is a passive therapy, you must be willing to let your therapist do the movement for you. This means that you will be in close contact with your therapist, which may feel uncomfortable for some people. Watsu may worsen several conditions, such as fever, bowel incontinence, skin infections, and uncontrolled epilepsy. Therefore, make sure to avoid Watsu if you have these conditions.
Besides Watsu, you can try traditional hydrotherapy. In traditional hydrotherapy, a physiotherapist can show you exercises to help improve your strength and range of movement. If you do not want to have your therapy in water, you can try other forms of physical therapy as well. In regular physical therapy, a therapist will show you stretches and movements to help relieve your symptoms.
Before Watsu, you may experience chronic pain, muscle tension, low back pain, anxiety, or other conditions that cause uncomfortable symptoms that interfere with your ability to perform day-to-day activities and stop you from enjoying your life. After Watsu, the symptoms should be relieved. Your joint mobility and soft tissue viscoelasticity will be improved, while your muscle spasm, muscle activation, and pain perception should be decreased. Overall, your quality of life should improve after Watsu.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and is also known as the Mother City. It is the oldest city in the country and home to the Parliament of South Africa and is a major destination for immigrants and expatriates, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Located on the shore of Table Bay, the city is known for its harbor, natural setting, as well as famous attractions and many tourists, visit to enjoy Table Mountain and Cape Point.
Recently, tourists also come to the city for its medical tourism. Many groundbreaking procedures and medical research in South Africa, such as the world’s first penile transplant, have put Cape Town under the radar of medical tourists from all around the globe. Thanks to its world-class healthcare and world-renowned medical practitioners, more and more people now prefer Cape Town as their medical destination. The healthcare in the city is among the best on the African continent. Other reasons such as shorter waiting times for surgeries, state-of-the-art equipment, and affordable healthcare compared to Europe and the United States, and English-speaking doctors.
Cape Town is a natural beauty that offers a wide range of things to do and see. From culture, food, art, to nature. Listed below are some of the more popular places in the city:
Cape Town enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. The summer is dry and warm, lasting from early December to March. The average maximum temperature during this season is around 26 °C, and the minimum is 16 °C. The Berg Wind that arrives from February to early March can make the city uncomfortably hot for a couple of weeks.
The winter starts in June and ends in August and the season is characterized by mild and wet weather. The city also experiences strong north-westerly winds during this season. The average temperature ranges between 8.5 °C at the lowest and 18 °C at the highest.
The primary airport that serves Cape Town is the Cape Town International Airport and it is the second busiest airport in South Africa and the fifth busiest in Africa. The airport serves direct domestic flights to major cities and several small centers in the country. It also connects the country with major cities in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is the hub for South African Express as well as budget airlines such as Mango and FlySafair.
There are several types of taxis: the metered taxis, Rikkis Taxis, and minibus taxis. The metered taxis can be a little expensive but are usually comfortable. Tourists can order one via a phone call or from one of the city’s official taxi stands. Tourists should always choose reputable taxi companies such as Marine Taxi, Unicab, Excite, and SA Cab.
Rikkis Taxis are painted yellow and very popular and these taxis run on a fixed fare rather than metered, so they are a little more affordable than metered taxis and a good option if you are traveling on longer journeys. Other than the Rikkis Taxis, tourists can choose the minibus taxis which are perfect for adventurous foreign travelers. The minibus taxis can be found practically everywhere and are very cheap, however, you will need to know exactly where your destination is and tell the driver when to stop. Another travel option is the MyCiTi bus, a modernized and effective bus system.
There are more than 60 countries listed in the visa exemption agreements, which means the citizens of these countries can stay in South Africa for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed must obtain a valid visa to enter the country. A Medical Treatment Visa is available for medical tourists. Note that all visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit.