There are a number of health benefits of hydrotherapy. One of them is helping to relieve pain, especially for people with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Water therapy or hydrotherapy is a type of therapy that uses water as a medium to improve health. This therapy turns out to have many types that you can try. For example, hot hydrotherapy, aquatic exercise or water sports, sauna, cold water, to using water pressure. You need to know that each type has a different use and is claimed to have several benefits.
Understanding Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a variety of treatments carried out using water to treat various health complaints that you are experiencing. This treatment can be known as water therapy, aquatic therapy, or swimming pool therapy. Generally, hydrotherapy is the right choice for those of you who want to relieve muscle pain and joint stiffness. If you want to do hydrotherapy, make sure you do it with a professional therapist so that you can feel the benefits.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Health
The main benefit of hydrotherapy or aquatherapy is the relief of symptoms such as pain and stiffness. However, you can also use this therapy to help treat certain medical conditions. The following are the general benefits of hydrotherapy:
- Hydrotherapy can relieve pain
One of the health benefits of water therapy is pain relief. This is based on a review in the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2020. The review found that spa therapy using warm water can have a significant pain-relieving effect. This benefit is most often felt in people with chronic diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. This is because warm water can relieve pain signals, relax muscles, and increase blood flow, as well as reduce pain in the affected area.
- Improve mental health
Water therapy is also suitable for those who have mental health disorders. This is because hydrotherapy can improve mood, both for men and women. In fact, according to the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hydrotherapy is very good for fibromyalgia sufferers. This is because the therapy can reduce anxiety and depression. Interestingly, this water therapy is also useful for improving mood, which is related to mental health. If you feel that your mental health is disturbed to the point of experiencing feelings of anxiety all the time, don’t hesitate to consult an expert immediately.
- Hydrotherapy is effective in treating arthritis
People with some types of arthritis can also benefit from water therapy. For example, one study found that people with osteoarthritis in the knee experienced improved knee function after eight weeks of water exercise. Meanwhile, another study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who did moderate-intensity water exercise while continuing their treatment also experienced improvements. They experienced a decrease in oxidative stress in their bodies.
- Helping the recovery process after exercise
Some athletes sometimes use various forms of warm and cold water therapy alternately after exercise. Many believe that this form of contrasting hydrotherapy can help the recovery process from hard training. In addition, hydrotherapy can also prevent muscle pain that is prone to occur after training. However, more in-depth scientific research to determine the effectiveness of the benefits of this water therapy is still needed by experts.
- Relieve Parkinson’s symptoms
Parkinson’s is a disease that affects the central nervous system. This condition can cause symptoms, such as body stiffness in sufferers. According to a study in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences, entitled Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body, hydrotherapy in Parkinson’s sufferers showed a significant increase in postural stability. That way, the body’s condition will be more comfortable and relaxed.
Types of Hydrotherapy
There are many types of hydrotherapy and the most common is a therapy that you can do in a warm water pool with a water temperature of around 32-38 degrees Celsius. The temperature and source of the water can vary, depending on the specific therapy and the condition of the patient.
Here are some common types of hydrotherapy:
- Water exercise
This is a form of low-impact physical activity. You can usually do it in a pool using special equipment, such as swimming or water aerobics. This type of hydrotherapy allows people to work their muscles and get their heart rate up without putting too much pressure on their joints. This exercise routine is suitable for people with arthritis or fibromyalgia. Meanwhile, for older people, this exercise may be more likely to fall or be easier to exercise in a low-impact environment.
- Aquatic physical hydrotherapy
This therapy must be done with a licensed physical therapist. This type of hydrotherapy includes a specific program for each person.
- Warm water bath
A warm water bath is also a hydrotherapy that is useful for increasing blood flow and can also reduce pain and inflammation. However, do not do it too often because there are some effects of taking too many warm water baths.
- Sitz bath
This is a good option for those who have problems with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or are healing from an episiotomy (an incision made in the perineum to help the mother give birth). Sitting in the warm water for about 15 minutes can relieve pain in the genital and anal areas.
- Sauna
This type of hydrotherapy can be done in a small room with a wooden interior. Water is usually poured onto heated stones to produce steam. A recent study also showed that using a sauna can help you relax, improve mental health, and sleep.
- Immersion therapy
Immersion therapy is a therapy that involves a person submerging part or all of their body in water to relieve pain. This includes soaking their feet in warm water, taking a warm bath in a bathtub, soaking in a whirlpool, and more.
- Water circuit therapy
Water circuit therapy or contrast hydrotherapy involves several different forms of hydrotherapy one after another. It generally involves alternating between warm and cold water immersion to improve circulation and help relieve symptoms. A recent study showed that this type of hydrotherapy can increase short-term feelings of relaxation in athletes, which has a positive impact on their performance and wellbeing. The range of therapies you can expect to undergo varies greatly depending on the practitioner and the person receiving the treatment, but can include techniques such as:
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- Warm bath.
- Wet or dry sauna.
- Diving headlong into cold water.
- Cold shower.
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Well, considering that water therapy is divided into several types, if you want to try it, you should discuss it with your doctor first. This aims to determine which water therapy is most appropriate for your current body condition. That way, you can get optimal benefits.
How Hydrotherapy Works
Hydrotherapy works in several ways, namely:
- Water temperature.
Warm water encourages your muscles and joints to relax. Relaxation helps them move more easily and makes it easier to exercise. - Buoyancy.
You naturally float in water. So, water helps your body support itself. This reduces the strain on your joints and muscles. - Resistance.
It is harder to move through water than air because of the resistance. This helps you build muscle strength.
