From Roman bathhouses to Native American sweat lodges, cultures such as Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, and Japanese have long recognized the therapeutic power of water. They have further tried to make the most of hydrotherapy.
Wondering, how you too can utilize the power of water as a path to medical treatment?
For starters, it is important to understand the benefits offered by hydrotherapy in order to make the best informed decision possible.
During the hydrotherapeutic processes, water is used to deliver temperature and exert pressure across your body. Arthritis Research UK has said, “Hydrotherapy can improve strength and general fitness in people with various types of arthritis.”
That is just one of the many health advantages afforded through hydrotherapy. Here are five more health and healing benefits afforded through the power of water.
1. Pain Relief
The weightlessness experienced while submerged relieves muscle tension in the limbs — supporting aching muscles — thereby relieving pain. Moreover, hydrotherapy stimulates the release of endorphins, which act as a natural pain reliever which will further reduce muscle soreness. Incorporating hydrotherapy as part of your health regime can help boost your muscle recovery process and overall health.
2. Muscle Recovery
Being immersed in warm or hot water raises the body temperature, increasing blood flow in the circulatory system — blood flow alleviates pain. The improved circulation, in turn, will help heal injured tissues and rehabilitate damaged muscles or joints.
3. Strengthened Immune System and Increased Metabolic Activity
The increased blood flow and circulation of white blood cells around the body allows immune system fluid – lymph – that helps collect and remove waste from the body. As this waste is moved through the body more efficiently, the immune system is strengthened and more capable of fighting colds and illnesses. Moreover, a strengthened immune system increases the digestive process thereby boosting your metabolic rate.
4. Detoxification Assistance
Hydrotherapy induced sweating is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins from the body. Impurities and toxins are flushed out through the skin helping to detoxify the body. Hydrotherapy increases the circulation and clearance of our main organs for detoxification: the skin, kidneys, colon, lymphatic system, and liver.
5. Natural Stress Fighter
Lastly, hydrotherapeutic treatment can also be used to effectively reduce blood pressure brought on by stress. It may also quell the body’s reaction to anxiety and through the release of endorphins. No wonder it is considered a natural stress fighter.
After viewing the aforementioned information on hydrotherapy, it is clear that the health benefits feed into one another. The overall improvement in health makes a strong case for hydrotherapy as an ideal medical treatment.
Hydrotherapy regimens can be designed to treat a number of health conditions although its uses are not constricted to those who are ill — it is great for individuals who live an active lifestyle. However, before embarking on a hydrotherapy regime, be sure to consult with your physician/doctor first.
If you are cleared by a medical health professional to begin hydrotherapy, monitor your progress and report any issues or side effects that arise, so that your doctor can make adjustments to your treatments as needed.
