Benefits of Hot Water Therapy

Hydrotherapy – the therapeutic use of warm water has been proven to be a natural remedy for stress, arthritis, muscle aches and believe it or not, diabetes, among other ailments. The heat, buoyancy and massaging of hydrotherapy jets all aid in relaxing and healing the body.

Dr. Philip L. Hooper at the McKee Medical Center, CO recommends that hot tub treatments should be included as regular therapy for patients with diabetes. His independent study showed an average 13 percent reduction in the patients blood sugar levels, while recent studies published in the September 16, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine also show that “hydrotherapy” helped group 2 diabetics reduce their blood sugar levels and improve sleep patterns as well. The participants weight was also reduced by an average of 3.75 lbs. The subjects lost over one pound per week, just by soaking in a spa.

Researchers have estimated that 80% of disease is stress related and believe that many cases of insomnia can be traced to hectic, demanding lifestyles lived by basically healthy people. The warm water and soothing massage of a spa works to relieve anxiety and relax your tense muscles. Studies suggest that immersion in hot water before bedtime can ease the transition into a deeper more restful sleep and, according to a publication from The Arthritis Foundation, Spas, Pools, and Arthritis, “Regular sessions in your hot tub helps keep joints moving. It restores and preserves strength and flexibility, and also protects your joints from further damage. The buoyancy of the water supports and lessens stress on joints and encourages freer movement.”

Fundamentally, everyone can benefit from Hydrotherapy. Studies have shown hydrotherapy to give you the same benefits of exercise – with less stress on the heart. Hydrotherapy increases the heart rate while lowering blood pressure, whereas other forms of exercise raise it. Of course it is recommended that those with diabetes or heart disease consult with their physicians prior to beginning hydrotherapy treatments.