For the historic approach to water cure in Europe, see Water cure (therapy). For a method of torture involving water, see Water cure (torture). For hydrotherapy in dogs, see Canine hydrotherapy. For the measure of how hydrophobic a molecule is in chemistry, see Hydropathy index. Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, is a part of medicine, in particular of occupational therapy and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment. The term encompasses a broad range of approaches and therapeutic methods that take advantage of the physical properties of water, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain diseases.