Do YOU love hydrotherapy? Maybe you weren’t aware of it, but you most likely enjoy that practice already! Today, I’ll teach you the many hydrotherapy benefits for your body and mind. You might be surprised to discover them… And afterwards, I’m pretty sure you’ll want to integrate them into your wellness routine!
Warm and cold hydrotherapy have different uses
The most widely known, yet less recognized form of hydrotherapy is the good old hot tub. You probably tried it already in a SPA or personal place! Hot tub therapy involves immersing yourself in warm water. You then let your muscles relax until they feel amazing. It increases blood flow, which in turn increases oxygen delivery to your muscles. This is especially helpful during sports recovery or after an injury: It will help you heal so much faster! In addition, it can also reduce pressure on joints and make stretching easier. That’s a pretty nice side effect.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, cold water therapy reduces inflammation and swelling. While it is definitely less relaxing, it has its use cases… You can make use of this kind of therapy by immersing your whole body, or with cold compresses applied onto specific areas. Often used to treat sprains, bruises and other acute injuries, cold temperature constricts your blood vessels. In turn, this helps make pain less intense and keep swelling under control.
Hydrotherapy benefits can be combined
Another method you probably already tried in the shower or at a sauna is contrast hydrotherapy. You know, that splash of frozen water onto your legs at the end of a warm shower? Alternating between hot and cold water quickly will dilate and contract blood vessels, causing a nice increase in blood flow and a boost to the whole body. It also feels really good, but can need some courage to get started as the body has no time to get used to a temperature or the other!
On top of the purely physical benefits it brings, hydrotherapy is shown to have a highly positive impact on mental health and energy. The muscular relaxation will help those with anxiety or insomnia issue. Meanwhile, there are few things that can boost you as much as a cold shower to get out of a slump. It can also be used combined with other treatments, such as massage therapy, for a maximum pampering effect! Next time you feel in need for rejuvenation (aka: you’re hitting rock bottom and nothing comforts you), consider letting the healing waters work their magic…
Hot tubs will make you feel the relaxing hydrotherapy benefits
A hot tub is a great option to enjoy hydrotherapy benefits at a reasonable cost – you can invest in your own or simply visit one in your town. They are most often found in hotels and spas, with access by the day or hour, and you can also emulate them at home if you own a bathtub and a good shower head. Hot tubs immerse you in a bubbly, joyful, relaxing environment that can help you unwind while actively caring for your body.
Hot tubs have a lot of great benefits to bring to your overall well being, such as naturally relieving pain, stress, and taking care of your core body functions. Here are some of the things it does best:
1. Hydrotherapy can help you with muscle relaxation
Warm water feels AMAZING on tense muscles. When you soak yourself in a hot tub, the heat increases blood flow to your muscles, promoting relaxation and reducing muscle soreness. This can feel especially good after a big workout or a long day at work.
2. Warm water relieves stress
The soothing sensation of warm water combined with the massaging jets of the tub can alleviate your stress and make you that much more relaxed. The jets give you a gentle massage, releasing endorphins and reducing stress hormones in your body. This can definitely improve your mood tenfolds.
3. Your sleep will improve
Struggling with insomnia? Get in the tub! It will help calm your mind and body, making it easier to enjoy a great night of you falling asleep early and waking up well rested!
4. Hydrotherapy benefits include pain relief
Hot tub hydrotherapy is often used to relieve chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain – and anything muscular, really. It is commonly said to reduce inflammation while also alleviating pain. Regular hot tub use can be a really nice bet if you suffer from chronic pain conditions.
5. Contrast hydrotherapy leads to improved circulation
Warm water combined with massages, causes blood vessels to dilate, and of course your organs appreciate being well irrigated. Improved circulation can have numerous benefits, including faster healing, a better state of cardiovascular health, and higher energy levels. For maximum efficiency, combine your hot tub session with a quick immersion in cold water.
6. Hot tub is ideal for detoxification
Soaking in a hot tub can help to detoxify your body by opening up your pores and promoting sweating. Sweating is one of the body’s natural ways of eliminating toxins and impurities. By regularly using a hot tub, you can support your body’s natural detoxification process which will make your skin look as healthy as you are.
You got it, anything that needs a good amount of calm, healing, positive energies gets perfectly handled by hot water. And with dedicated places to enjoy it in all major cities, and the possibility to have your own bathtub… it’s a realistic habit to implement, to experience hydrotherapy benefits in your daily life! I guess my question is… when are you starting? 😉