After the fall of the Roman Empire, hydrotherapy at public baths fell out of favour due to the influences of a Christian culture that frowned on public nudity. However, in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, hydrotherapy came back into favour as physicians recommended springs to treat skin diseases and to treat infertility in females. In the 10th century, many people visited Bath Abbey, where the Benedictine monks had recognized the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs there.
Modern hydrotherapy originated in 19th century Europe when Vincent Priessnitz, a farmer in Austria, began instructing others in the healing benefits of his hydrotherapy remedies, which were successfully used in the treatment of many different, formerly incurable diseases.
Water has always played an important part in the history of Harrogate, since its growth from a small hamlet in the late 1500’s. This growth was initiated after a man called William Slingsby discovered a Chalybeate well (one containing iron) The discovery of a second well in 1631 by Dr Michael Stanhope further fuelled the growth of the town and by 1650 people travelled to the town to bathe in and drink the water of the various wells that had been discovered here and by the end of the century inns were being built to accommodate these visitors. By the time the railway reached the town in 1848 the reputation of Harrogate as a Royal Spa town was fully established. In 1949 the NHS started to send people to the Royal Baths here, to cure their health problems.
We at Harrogate Hydrotherapy feel that the town and its related history, provides an excellent home for our thriving business, linking the tradition of health and well being to water and hydrotherapy.