In recent years, water therapies have been investigated by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) for various conditions ranging from rheumatic pain to congestive heart failure and HIV infection. Similar studies have also been conducted in Europe with similar findings. Consequently, an increasing number of insurance companies are covering these procedures although there may be limits on the number of procedures covered and the facilities where they can be performed.
Still, in July 2009, NCCAM reported that Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on complementary and alternative medicine in the previous 12 months. Their records also showed that 38 percent of adults use some form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) for health and wellness or to treat a variety of diseases and conditions. Clinical trials conducted by NCCAM show that hydrotherapy, which is also called balneotherapy, and massage are some of the most effective CAM therapies in use.
Insurance Concerns
Experts advise studying medical insurance policies carefully to find out what CAM therapies are covered. For patients with chronic illnesses most hospitals and clinics, if they have integrative medicine programs, like Beth Israel in New York, have an advocate in the billing or coding department that can help with prequalifications, appeals and other paperwork. Because some insurance companies routinely deny CAM therapies, it’s important to appeal and re-submit claims if they’re initially denied. Work with your doctor and the medical center’s billing office on CAM claims.
Finding studies and clinical trials that show efficacy from the use of CAM in conditions similar to yours can help with your appeal.
Hydrotherapy in Medicine
include submersions into mineral springs, whirlpool and Jacuzzi sessions, water exercises and more. Hydrotherapy procedures are available at many spas, wellness centers, destination resorts, and physical therapy centers. A review of clinical trials indicates that hydrotherapy offers benefits in patients with fibromyalgia as well as patients recuperating from hip and knee replacements, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic heart failure.
Hydrotherapy procedures
Hydrotherapy in Fibromyalgia
An evaluation of 23 randomized controlled trials of CAM in patients with fibromyalgia published in Rheumatology International showed the most impressive results with hydrotherapy in the majority of trials. Connective tissue massage also showed efficacy. Studies of hydrotherapy in fibromyalgia patients conducted in Spain showed similar results and indicated that hydrotherapy relieved pain and improved quality of life and muscle strength in the lower limbs at low velocity in patients with initial low muscle strength and high numbers of trigger points. Follow-up studies showed that most of these improvements were maintained long-term.
A similar ongoing study of hydrotherapy in fibromyalgia patients from Portugal concluded that a long-lasting exercise therapy in warm water produced relevant gains in muscle strength at low velocities of movements, some of which predicted improvements in physical problems, emotional problems, mental health and balance.
Resources:
- Americans Spent $33.9 Billion Out-of-Pocket on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NCCAM Press Release, NIH News, July 30, 2009
- Path to Alternative Therapies is Littered with Obstacles, Patient Money, New York Times, November 13, 2009,
- J. Baranowsky, P. Klose, et al., Qualitative systemic review of randomized controlled trials on complementary and alternative medicine treatments in fibromyalgia, Rheumatol Int , Aug 2009
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
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