I was recently approached by Bathing Solutions to provide my opinion on the following subject…
Humans have relied on hydrotherapy, also known as the use of water to heal illnesses and injuries, for a number of years. Actually, Hippocrates wrote about using hydrotherapy as early as the year 400 B.C., and historians have confirmed the existence of baths that were used by ancient people in the 4500 years prior to B.C.
Today, due to a myriad of scientific studies, the use of hydrotherapy is no longer a solution that your neighbor might recommend across the backyard fence to one that is medically safe. The doctor-approved treatments are for diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, insomnia, and back pain. It’s been a well-known remedy for those who have undergone hip and knee replacements or have physical limitations.
HYDROTHERAPY, DEFINED
Hydrotherapy uses water to relieve discomfort, promote healing, and promote overall good health. According to it is stated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) declares that hydrotherapy increases circulation, which includes the flow of blood vessels, nutrition, and oxygen. All of these are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and the healing of damaged tissues.
Hydrotherapy may be in the form of treatments such as soaking in walk-in bathtubs or soaking in whirlpools as well as Jacuzzi tubs.
HOW HYDROTHERAPY WORKS
The water therapy process benefits the body’s reaction to warm water as well as water pressure. Both boost blood flow and eliminate waste from cells. In more specific terms, the benefits of hydrotherapy for health depend on massaging mechanical and thermal effects.
Massage effects happen when air is pushed into water, causing fast-moving air bubbles. The body’s chemical reaction in response to this sensation is similar to a person’s response to a relaxing massage. The body’s receptors for contact produce an additional surge of circulation, which further stimulates relaxation and tissue regeneration.
The effects of thermal radiation occur when the body comes in contact with water at temperatures that are higher than your body temperature. The warm water
- Increases blood vessels and arteries and arteries, which increases lymph and blood circulation.
- Enhances the body’s production of endorphins. These can ease the pain and improve mood.
Mechanical effects consequence of the weightlessness of your body when you are in water. In water, a bathing session removes 90 percent of the physical stress caused by the body’s weight. This will lessen the muscle, joint, and bone discomfort almost immediately.
IMPROVEMENT FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES
A groundbreaking study published in The New England Journal of Medicine discovered that those who have type 2 diabetes can gain an enormous benefit from taking advantage of regular hydrotherapy for 30 minutes per day.
The study found an average of 13 percent decrease in blood sugar. The reason for this is that doctors attribute it to hydrotherapy’s benefits in heat conditioning, which result in the increased flow of blood to muscles in the skeletal system. Skeletal muscles make up 80 percent of our body’s insulin-mediated glucose intake.
RELIEF FOR ARTHRITIS PAIN
Hydrotherapy has been shown clinically to ease inflammation and pain that are associated with arthritis as well as other chronic joint problems. In fact, over 15 years ago, it was the time that the Arthritis Care & Research Journal released a study that examined the relationship between the benefits of hydrotherapy with traditional exercises for patients who have arthritis. Hydrotherapy was the most effective method of treatment.
Of course, it is indeed true that the Arthritis Foundation has been recommending hydrotherapy as a treatment for many years. The combination of water therapy’s heat and buoyancy eases muscle tension. It heals tissues that are swollen, reduces body weight stress on joints, and, in general, assists the body not to be as demanding. Many people living with arthritis have greater mobility and less inflammation after using hydrotherapy.
THERAPY FOR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
For people with physical limitations, hydrotherapy could provide important benefits, too, including tension relief and energy release, enhanced trunk control, the ability to move, as well as weight support and sensory stimulation, as per numerous scientific journals. For those who have cerebral palsy, in particular, research has shown that hydrotherapy may improve circulation and relieve muscle stiffness.
AID FOR HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT RECOVERY
Studies have shown that hydrotherapy following an operation on the knee or hip could be a crucial way to speed up recovery. One study revealed that patients who utilized hydrotherapy had significantly less stiffness and pain and also had better functioning in the joint and the muscles surrounding it in comparison to those who didn’t utilize hydrotherapy. The reason for this is hydrotherapy’s ability to lessen swelling and speed up healing.
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TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN
Back pain is typically due to stiff muscles. But it could be caused by injuries to ligaments, nerves-connected tissue, and vertebrae that are located in your back. The positive side is that, in the majority of cases, hydrotherapy has been shown to alleviate back pain and speed healing. This is due to the massaging, thermal, and mechanical properties of hydrotherapy, all working together to deliver outstanding results.
HELP FOR INSOMNIA
The most prevalent causes of insomnia, like tension, body aches, and fatigue, can be treated using hydrotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that the use of warm water can enhance not only the ability to sleep but also improve the quality of your sleep once you’ve drifted off.
Many physicians, as well as The National Sleep Foundation, recommend that people with insomnia get a soak in 103 degrees Fahrenheit water for fifteen minutes approximately two hours prior to going to bed. In addition to expanding blood vessels, the warm water can lower blood pressure, which is an essential factor for a good night’s sleep. Relaxed muscles relieve tension and facilitate the transition into sleep.
BENEFITS FOR SENIORS
The benefits of hydrotherapy are for everyone in all age groups. However, research shows that seniors, in particular, are able to gain from this. This is a good thing for those who are older because the process of using water therapy is as easy as turning on the faucet in a bath.
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Alongside the health benefits previously discussed, hydrotherapy can help maintain the immune system in top condition, help with digestion issues, improve muscle strength as well as boost energy levels, and increase the absorption of nutrients, which is particularly important for older people. In addition, the endorphin effects of hydrotherapy can reduce depression and anxiety at low levels, two of the most common issues when we get older. The Mayo Clinic study even found that hydrotherapy could be used as an alternative to cardio exercise.
Additionally, regardless of whether you’re 20 or 80 years old, relaxing muscles through hydrotherapy will make it easier to stick to an exercise routine that is traditional and also to meet the demands of everyday life.
Important note: As with any medical treatment, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to using hydrotherapy for any injury or illness.
