Kneipp therapy is a form of hydrotherapy (water therapy) that is common in European spas. Also known as Kneipping or the Kneipp Cure, Kneipp therapy was created by Bavarian almoner and Dominican priest Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897). Kniepp is author of My Water Cure and So Sollt Ihr Leben (Thus Thou Shalt Live) and was one of the original founders of naturopathic medicine. His work, including Kneipp therapy, is promoted by the Kneipp Institute in Germany.

Kneipp therapy’s holistic approach is still considered relevant today in the field of naturopathic healing and contemporary preventative medicine. Kneipp therapy incorporates the healing powers of water and medicinal plants combined  with Kneipp’s own insights. The priest and naturopath created a visionary life philosophy of daily human activities operating in perfect balance with the natural environment. He considered the elements of water, plants, exercise, diet, and balance to be closely linked.

At the age of 25, Kneipp had contracted pulmonary tuberculosis, a disease that was considered incurable and usually fatal in those days. Within three years, he was near death. Kneipp conceived of Kneipp therapy after reading a book published in 1743 on the healing powers of water. In a feverish trance, he jumped into the icy Danube River, then climbed out and ran home again as fast as he could. After doing this a few times a week, his health returned. Kneipp therapy is based on the same principles: physical exertion to warm the body; a very short, very cold dip in water; and immediate physical exertion again, while the skin is still wet, until the body is rewarmed.

Kneipp therapy became infamous after Kneipp, who was called as a priest to perform the late rites on a woman dying of cholera, instead cured her disease. He never charged a fee for performing Kneipp therapy, which angered other doctors in the town. Those doctors started legal proceedings against Kniepp to stop him from administering Kneipp therapy, but Kneipp won the case when the judge asked his advice on treating rheumatism; Kneipp therapy cured the judge, who granted Kneipp the right to perform free medical services to the indigent.

Kneipp therapy today is accomplished through hot and cold showers, rinses, baths, and compresses. In addition to hydrotherapy, Kneipp therapy also may include nutritional treatments and a diet consisting mostly of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains; herbal supplements and botanical medicine; movement therapy, with courses of rest and exercise; and spirituality.

Kneipp therapy encourages regular, non-competitive physical exercise, preferably outdoors to revitalize the body and strengthen the immune system. Stamina-increasing sports such as walking, jogging, bicycling, hiking, swimming, and dancing are promoted to stabilize body weight, increase heart health, and reduce stress.

Kneipp therapy treatments, many of which can be done at home, are aimed at increasing blood flow, stimulating the metabolism, tempering pain, and stimulating the immune system. Kneipp therapy has been used to treat high blood pressure, low blood pressure, arthritis, rheumatism, sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cramps, pains, stress, food allergies, digestive system problems, immune system disorders, and respiratory system problems.