Hydrotherapy involves the use of water to improve your health and well-being. It’s also called water therapy, hydropathy, or aquatic therapy in some locations. Some wellness centers may offer hot- or cold-water treatments in swimming pools, whirlpool tubs, or baths. In addition to water treatments, others may provide aquatic exercise sessions for those who want to work out and enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy.
Moreover, aquatic therapy can help alleviate pain or relieve muscle tension using hot or cold baths. For instance, some pools are equipped with specialized water jets that can massage the joints and tense muscles for a set period. Through this process, you feel relaxed and rejuvenated because of how water pressure is applied to target points in your body.
If you’d like to know more about the wellness benefits of hydrotherapy, read on.
- It Alleviates Pain
Hot water immersion promotes pain relief, muscle relaxation, and improved blood circulation. Hence, this treatment is significantly beneficial for those who have arthritis or chronic body pain. Furthermore, soaking in a hot tub is helpful for pregnant women who experience pain, discomfort, or swelling due to hormonal changes and weight fluctuations.
Hot water therapy is offered in many wellness centers where customers can use heated pools or whirlpool baths. You can visit a wellness center or try hydrotherapy right at home. If you don’t have one yet, consider buying and installing an outdoor hot tub or a spa pool, such as one of those Stoked hot tubs and spas. With a tub at home, you can incorporate a hot bath in your wellness routine or indulge in one when you need some pain relief. Plus, you’ll get to admire the views while reveling in a soothing soak.
- It Helps Improve Mental Health
Health experts consider hydrotherapy an effective treatment for stress, tension, and anxiety. For instance, swimming can significantly improve your mood and provide mental clarity, which makes it ideal for those who want to de-stress. On the other hand, immersing yourself in hot water can relieve emotional exhaustion because it promotes the release of mood-regulating hormones.
Cold showers or baths are widely believed to help alleviate symptoms of depression. Immersing yourself in cold water triggers nerve impulses that affect the brain and nervous system, similar to how antidepressants work. Thus, many people with mood disorders use cold water therapy as a natural way to improve their mental health.
- It Allows Low-Impact Exercise
Aquatic exercise is another form of hydrotherapy. This exercise involves performing fitness routines while standing in a swimming pool. With the guidance of a workout coach, participants do repeated movements that boost well-being and improve the body’s strength and flexibility.
Pool exercises have a lower impact on the joints than regular workouts do. Water buoyancy can support your joints and muscles as you move. Apart from this, working out in a hot water pool helps you feel more comfortable and relaxed as you exert more effort in your movement. So, you can optimize your workout session without adding excessive strain to your body.
- It Helps You Relax
Hydrotherapy can provide physical and mental relaxation, mainly if you use a hot tub or a whirlpool with warm water. The high temperature can ease muscle tension and trigger the release of endorphins or the ‘feel-good’ hormones. Hydrotherapy can help regulate blood pressure and lower stress levels in general as well.
You can opt for spas that have aromatherapy pools. These kinds of pools use hot water combined with fragrant essential oils to create a relaxing experience for users. The combination of the fragrances and the hot water has a soothing effect that can help calm the mind and body, which is highly beneficial for those who want optimal relaxation.
- It Promotes Faster Recovery
If you’re an athlete or a sports enthusiast, you’ll find pleasure in hydrotherapy like others do. You can alternate between soaking in a hot and a cold pool to prevent muscle soreness after a workout. Hot tubs or saunas can even help alleviate fatigue from strenuous activities by relieving muscle tension and joint stress.
Additionally, soaking or showering with cold water can help reduce swelling, enhance blood circulation, and boost energy levels. You can consider it for your next hydrotherapy session after engaging in rigorous physical activities. Through hydrotherapy, your body will heal faster from the impact of intense exercises or sports.
Conclusion
Hydrotherapy is an effective form of therapy that’s good for both your body and mind. But if you’re considering adding hydrotherapy to your wellness routine, it’s best to consult with your doctor to see whether it meets your health requirements. And if you’re fit for it, make sure to select the best aquatic therapy center that meets safety and sanitary standards and boasts certified therapists, so you’ll have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing time receiving water treatment.
