Approximately 70 million Americans, one in three people, have some form of Arthritis. The most common symptoms are pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased range of motion caused by inflamed joints. Hydrotherapy loosens muscle tension, relieves pressure on surrounding nerves, joints and blood vessels, and eases movement.
Home spas can be a valuable modality of treatment for many forms of arthritis.
– Dr. John Klippel, M.D.,
National Director of the Arthritis Foundation
Over 16 million people suffer from diabetes, but now studies show that hydrotherapy can help. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, soaking in a hot tub can be beneficial for people who are affected with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Dr. Philip Hooper at the McKee Medical Center in Colorado, found that Type 2 Diabetes patients treated with hot tub therapy for 30 minutes a day for three consecutive weeks experienced a 13% reduction in blood sugar levels, improved sleep and an increase in their overall sense of well being.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 132 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders including mild to chronic insomnia, pauses in breathing and snoring. It is estimated that 48% of women and 38% of men suffer from insomnia more than one night a week.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a15-minute soak in hot water (103° F) approximately 90 minutes before bedtime, will cause your body’s internal thermostat to automatically adjust body temperature downward. This decrease in body temperature is a natural occurrence that enables you to fall into a deep sleep. However, studies show that regular use of a hot tub before bedtime will shorten the time it takes to fall asleep.
'Hot Spa' therapy…helped patients lose weight and improve sleep patterns.
– New England Journal of Medicine, September, 1999
Steam rising off hot water can help open up nasal and bronchial passages and improves circulation to aid in maintaining upper respiratory health. Since stress causes the heart to work harder and breathing becomes more rapid and shallow, relaxing in a spa can allow for deeper, healthier breathing patterns.
Headache Relief
Spa therapy is proven to help reduce stress which may explain why many people find that soaking in a hot tub relieves headache pain, especially pain from tension headaches. The release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel good” chemical, also aids in headache relief.
A recent study at the Mayo Clinic found that soaking in a hot bath gives many of the health benefits of exercise with less strain on the heart. Soaking in hot water increases the heart rate while it lowers blood pressure rather than raising it as does other forms of exercise.
Stress has an adverse effect on nearly every function of the human body. According to The American Institute of Stress, approximately 75 to 90 percent of visits to physicians for primary care are related to stress. Studies show that 80% of disease is stress related.
The healing benefits of hydrotherapy extend well beyond relief to soar muscles and joints. Relaxing in a spa stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel good” chemical, creating a sense of calm and rejuvenation. The warm water and soothing massage relieve anxiety and muscle tension. A hot tub provides a sanctuary for quiet time alone or to reconnect with family and friends. So, surround yourself with the comforting, warm waters of your spa and ease your spirit, mind and soul.
Many professional sports organizations, trainers and therapists recommend warm-water therapy to help patients resume their daily activities faster. Muscle strains, fatigue, sprains and many other injuries heal faster due to the healing effects of hydrotherapy.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, four out of five Americans suffer from chronic back pain. Many studies show that hydrotherapy alleviates lower back pain and knee ailments by reducing stress and stiffness. The buoyancy of the water relaxes muscles, and warm water decreases muscle tension that allows for greater flexibility.
Hydrotherapy accelerates the elimination of lactic acids and other toxins, and stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever. Hot tub use increases the range of motion which helps prevent exercise-related injuries, and it provides the ideal environment for stretching which can help stimulate the production and retention of lubricants between connective tissue fibers.
Digestion, Complexion & Immune System Benefits
Stress degrades the performance of nearly all bodily functions, but one of its most common victims is your digestive system. Acid reflux, constipation, IBS, loss of appetite, etc., are common symptoms. Hydrotherapy speeds the elimination of toxins, which can effect your digestive system, complexion and immune system, among other things. The toxins are then replaced by oxygen and the body’s natural nutrients, like endorphins. Endorphins are polypeptides that boost the immune system and provide pain relief.
