Ilaj bil-Ma’ (Hydrotherapy) as a Regimenal Modality in Pain Management: Conceptual Foundations in Unani Medicine and Modern Correlation

Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Samreen Farha,

  • Mohammad Saad Ahmad Khan,

  • Ishrat Ali,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Ilaj Bit Tadbeer, Aligarh Unani Medical College & ACN Hospital, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Ilaj Bit Tadbeer, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz, Jamia Tibbiya Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Waja‘ (pain) is one of the most common clinical complaints encountered worldwide and remains a leading cause of disability, impaired functional capacity, and diminished quality of life. In the Unani system of medicine, pain is not considered merely a symptom but a significant manifestation of disturbed physiological balance. Classical Unani scholars describe pain as arising from derangement in Mizāj (temperament), imbalance of Akhlāṭ (humours), Sudad (obstruction within bodily channels), Waram (inflammation), or Tafarruq-i-Ittiṣāl (disruption of continuity or structural integrity). Management, therefore, aims not only at symptomatic relief but also at correction of the underlying causative imbalance. Among the various therapeutic modalities of ‘Ilāj bi’l Tadbīr (regimenal therapy), Ilaj bil-Ma’ (Hydrotherapy) occupies an important position due to its non-pharmacological, safe, and versatile nature.  Hydrotherapy utilizes water in different forms, such as baths, compresses, fomentation, steam, immersion, irrigation, and showers, applied at varying temperatures according to the patient’s condition and temperament. In Unani medicine, these procedures are believed to restore humoral equilibrium, enhance circulation, soften morbid matter, relieve muscular spasm, open obstructed channels, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the Quwwat-e-Mudabbira-e-Badan (Tabi‘at), the body’s innate healing force. Hot water applications are commonly employed for chronic pain, stiffness, and cold temperament disorders, whereas cold applications are preferred for acute inflammatory pain, swelling, and burning sensations. Alternating hot and cold therapies may further stimulate vascular response and improve tissue recovery. This paper comprehensively reviews the role of hydrotherapy in pain management from the Unani perspective, discussing its historical background, conceptual basis, physical principles, static and dynamic properties of water, mechanisms of analgesic action, therapeutic indications, methods of administration, precautions, and contraindications. It also correlates classical Unani concepts with contemporary scientific evidence, including effects on circulation, neuromuscular relaxation, inflammatory mediators, and pain modulation pathways. Hydrotherapy emerges as an economical, accessible, and effective complementary approach for managing musculoskeletal, neurological, inflammatory, and functional pain disorders.

Keywords: Hydrotherapy, Pain management, ‘Ilāj bi’l Tadbīr, Unani medicine, Hammām, Waja‘.

How to cite this article:
Samreen Farha, Mohammad Saad Ahmad Khan, Ishrat Ali. Ilaj bil-Ma’ (Hydrotherapy) as a Regimenal Modality in Pain Management: Conceptual Foundations in Unani Medicine and Modern Correlation. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2026; 13(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Samreen Farha, Mohammad Saad Ahmad Khan, Ishrat Ali. Ilaj bil-Ma’ (Hydrotherapy) as a Regimenal Modality in Pain Management: Conceptual Foundations in Unani Medicine and Modern Correlation. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2026; 13(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoush/article=2026/view=244067


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
02
Received 25/04/2026
Accepted 13/05/2026
Published 14/05/2026
Publication Time 19 Days
1

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