One of the oldest forms of therapy is hot tub therapy or hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is the practice of submerging a person, or part of them, in water to alleviate physical ailments. While many people oversell the benefits of hydrotherapy, doctors admit that some benefits are worth researching.
Hot tub therapy is especially well-known. The Jacuzzi that many of us know and love was invented as a form of hydrotherapy. How does hydrotherapy work, though, and what benefits can it offer people? We'll talk more about that here.
Stress Relief
Who hasn't gotten home from a long day, and sank into a hot bath or a hot tub to relax? It may come as no surprise that there are known medical benefits to soaking in hot water.
Hot water releases endorphins and helps our blood flow more easily, which eases the tension and pain in our muscles.
It also doesn't hurt to add some calming ambiance, like a water feature or soothing music.
Better Sleep
Sitting in a hot tub not only helps relax us but helps us sleep as well. This has to do with body temperature. Our body temperature changes slightly over the day and drops in the evening.
Getting out of a hot bath causes your temperature to drop as you readjust to the air. This lets the body more efficiently fall to its nighttime temperature, which signals to the rest of the body that it's time to sleep. These temperature changes and similar changes happen daily and are known as Circadian Rhythms.
Less Pain
Water and water pressure aid muscle relaxation by taking pressure off of them. Water is denser than our bodies, so our bodies naturally rise to the surface.
Since water supports our weight, our muscles no longer have to work as hard. Less strength is needed. This allows muscles to relax, which has many of the same benefits as hydrotherapy.
A Healthier Heart
To a certain extent, the heat and pressure of a hot tub massage can aid cardiovascular health. Don't try to replace a healthy lifestyle with more time in a hot tub.
What we do know is that regular soaks in a hot tub lower the risk of heart disease. The healing power of hot tubs expands blood vessels, which allows blood to move through your body more efficiently. Better flow of blood lowers blood pressure, which decreases the risk of heart disease.
Hot Tub Therapy and How It Works
Hot tub therapy, or hydrotherapy has been in use since before we knew it existed. There are scientifically-backed benefits to hot tubs. Together with other healthy habits, they can make for a long and happy life.
We've talked about some of these benefits and the science behind them here. You can read more about hot tubs and pools by reading our blog.
If you're thinking of getting a pool, you've come to the right place. We've been in the pool business for over three decades and use the same expertise in building pools as we do in building homes. We encourage you to read more about us before diving into anything.