Hydrotherapy has many fantastic health benefits. While it is great for everyone, it can be even more beneficial to those that have recently been injured, or just want to remove toxins from their body. It may be worth learning a little bit more about this treatment so you can see if it is right for you. Find out about the benefits and how you can receive hydrotherapy treatment below.
About the Treatment
Hydrotherapy is a treatment that many people will have likely heard of but may not know exactly what it entails. Essentially, it is using the power of water at different temperatures to help enhance your body’s health. The water can be used both inside and outside the body, and there are a variety of methods that can be used.
It is very likely that you have taken part in a hydrotherapy session or treatment at least once in your life before but may not have been aware that is what you were having. Even activities as simple as soaking your feet in warm water, having a relaxing time in a sauna or even taken a hot shower to relax and unwind, are considered a form of water therapy.
This kind of treatment has been taking place for years, with all different cultures utilizing hydrotherapy it a little differently. From the ancient Greeks to the Egyptians, all have used warm, public baths and still do today.
The hydrotherapy that is used today was first established in the 1800s by Father Sebastian Kneipp, as he was the first to realise the benefits of alternating between hot and cold water, plus just cold water baths.
Hydrotherapy Types
Although hydrotherapy is commonly associated with soaking in a hot tub, there are many different treatments that can be used. Most of the time, these treatments will depend on your preferences and what you are hoping to achieve.
Watsu- Put simply, Watsu is a massage that takes place in water. You’ll start off floating in a warm pool, and then a trained professional will massage you.
Sauna- Most people will have used a sauna at least once in their life. It involves sitting in a specially designed warm and dry room that encouraged your body to sweat. Toxins can also be released in the sweat and can also be used to increase blood flow.
Sitz Bath- A sitz bath means that you will switch between a warm and cold bath in turn. Usually, it will just be your feet dipped in the water.
Hot Tub- Soaking in warm water with a hydrotherapy massage program for 15-20 minutes is known to have some great health benefits.
Turkish Bath- during a Turkish bath, you’ll sit in a room that is full of both warm and moist air, as this humidity will help encourage your body to release toxins. Similar to this is using a steam room.
Major Hydrotherapy Benefits
1. Stress Relief
To start with, soaking in a hot tub is just a relaxing experience, and can help you unwind after a stressful day. Your body is given the time to just be still for a while and have a little respite from any injuries or illness you may have.
2. Help with Sleeping
One of the biggest causes of insomnia is excess blood to the brain. When soaking in hot water, the blood in your body is pulled back to your extremities, therefore it can help you to sleep better. This, coupled with the fact that you’ll feel more relaxed after a soak, often helps people who have trouble when it comes to sleeping.
3. Arthritis
Many people use hydrotherapy to ease the pain caused by arthritis. There are treatments that involve targeted massage programs and these have been proven that they can not only ease the pain, but also help to build strength. By increasing the antioxidants in the body and reducing inflammation, sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis can be treated this way.
4. Improve skin
Many people would not think that hydrotherapy can have a positive effect on your complexion, but the results show otherwise. Because the treatment will help to regulate the temperature of your body the effectiveness of your perspiration glands is then enhanced. Toxins can then be released through the glands.
5. General Aches and Pains
Everyone has aches and pains, but maybe even more so if you lead an active lifestyle, such as taking part in lots of sporting activities. One of the most common treatments for this is using contrast hydrotherapy, which means alternating between hot and cold water, or simply using cold water baths. Hydrotherapy also is known to help sciatica and a number of other painful ailments.
6. Detoxification
Nobody wants a build-up of toxins, and hydrotherapy can help to encourage your body to discard these, and therefore allow your body to function at a more optimum level and in doing so, will have a positive effect on your immune system.
7. Improves Illness
Surprisingly, the symptoms of flu and colds can be lessened by using hydrotherapy. The treatment promotes proper circulation and will release toxins better, which in turn gives your body a better chance to start fighting the illness more effectively.
About the Author
Scott Bland has been in the leisure industry for nearly 20 years. As a sales manager in the leisure industry he knows hot tubs inside and out. Right now, he works sales while writing about hot tubs, pools and spas on his blog, www.scottbland.ca
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