Hydrotherapy is just what it sounds like: hydro means water, and therapy is to treat or heal a disorder. The use of water for therapy dates back many centuries, to the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and is an important part of many traditional medical practices.
Its health benefits are derived from the mechanical and thermal effects of water interacting with the body. It uses temperature and pressure, and sometimes the delivery of minerals or herbal treatments in order to manipulate blood flow, and improve the endocrine system and associated neural systems.
The nerves, sensing changes in our skin, provide stimulation to the immune system as well as influence the production of stress hormones, improve circulation and digestion and lessen the body’s sensitivity to pain.
The water helps to relax the muscles and causes sweating, which releases toxins. It’s also used to treat conditions like arthritis and rheumatism, poor circulation and sore muscles.
Hydrotherapy offers a wide range of benefits for a number of conditions.
Speeding muscle recovery
Hot water hydrotherapy is known for being particularly helpful for increasing the blood flow to the body’s soft tissues, especially the muscles. It can offer significant relief to muscle injuries, including cramps, swelling and spasms.
A 2013 study published on BioMed Central revealed that hydrotherapy was an effective strategy for post-exercise recovery.
Fighting infection and boosting the immune system
By increasing the blood flow in the body, hot water hydrotherapy can strengthen the immune system, allowing it to work faster and more efficiently. It also increases the production of endorphins, the body’s “feel good” hormones that can even reduce or eliminate pain. Hot water hydrotherapy can also stimulate the immune system, helping tissues to heal faster.
Relieving stress and improving sleep
Hot water also offers calming effects on the nervous and endocrine systems, which helps us to relax, reducing the effects of stress. This in turn helps to make it easier to get a good night’s sleep.
Controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics
Recent studies have shown that people with type 2 diabetes were better able to control blood sugar levels when using hot water hydrotherapy. By helping the body get rid of toxins, it can increase blood flow to muscles as well as mitigate an overactive endocrine system. As a result, hot water hydrotherapy can be an important part of treatment for diabetics who are unable to exercise.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249697
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/13/180
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/hyd
