Spa water therapy is one of the oldest and most popular forms of hydrotherapy. There are many benefits of spa water therapy treatments, which is why more and more people are turning to them for help with various health issues. Here in New Zealand we are blessed with many hot water springs and spa facilities.
One of my favourites is Maruia Hot Springs where you can bathe in beautiful outdoor and indoor mineral pools, enjoy the hot rock sauna, steam room, infra red sauna, mineral foot bath, thermal showers and cold plunge pool which really gets your blood rushing.
However, water therapy treatments are not just spa water. The benefits have been known for centuries, and today, hydrotherapy is used to treat a variety of conditions.
This article will discuss several types of spa water therapy treatments and their benefits.
The Water Therapy Definition
It is a treatment that uses all benefits of water for relaxation, healing, and treating several health conditions. It can include both hot and cold water, as well as steam. This type of therapy can treat everything from arthritis to diabetes. Spa therapy is one of the oldest and most popular forms of hydrotherapy. It involves sitting or lying in a tub of water infused with minerals, herbs, or essential oils. You can do it in a spa, at home, or even in a hospital setting. These treatments usually last 30 minutes to an hour and can be done daily.
Significant Advantages of Water Therapy Treatments
Water therapy treatments are not just spa water. Its benefits have been known for centuries, and today, hydrotherapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
Arthritis
Chronic pain
Depression
Digestive disorders
Fatigue
High blood pressure
Skin conditions
Best Way to Feel Relaxed
One of the most significant reasons people use hydrotherapy is that it promotes relaxation and rejuvenation. The calming sound and blue colour of the water help with:
Reducing stress
Improving sleep quality
Easing anxiety
Improving mood
Treating depression
There is scientific evidence [1] that those who take baths or hot tubs at least twice a week have lower levels of anxiety and depression. They are also more likely to feel in a good mood than those who do not.
So if you want to take care of your mental health, spa water therapy is the right choice.
Increase Circulation
Water pressure, changes in temperature, and massage from spa therapy help increase circulation. It is the main benefit from which all other positive health effects flow. It is essential for many reasons:
Circulation is necessary for the body to function correctly.
It helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells, tissues, and organs.
It also helps remove waste products from the body.
Poor circulation can lead to various health problems, including fatigue, headaches, memory problems, cold hands and feet, sexual dysfunction, varicose veins, and heart diseases.
Treat Long-Lasting Pain
Spa water therapy is an excellent treatment for any pain. The primary mechanism is the increased blood flow to the affected area, which leads to:
Reducing the inflammation
Decreasing muscles tension
Relieving joint pain and stiffness
Improving flexibility
Studies [2] have shown that hydrotherapy can be effective in treating pain, especially when it comes to conditions like arthritis. Besides, if you add in some aromatherapy or massage, you’ll be able to achieve an even higher level of relaxation.
So if you’ve been dealing with pain for a while, consider giving spa water therapy a try.
Boost Metabolic Rate
One of the benefits of spa water therapy is that it can help to boost your metabolic rate. It is because when you are in a spa, your body temperature is raised, and this causes your metabolism to speed up. It has several positive effects on your body:
Weight loss: You will burn more calories even when you are not exercising; it can help to break down fat cells and cellulite.
Detoxification is a great way to cleanse the body and release accumulated toxins through sweating.
Reduce digestive disorders: A water massage helps flush toxins out of the body and stimulates bowel movement.
Skin Treatment and Repair
Another reason to use spa water therapy is to improve skin appearance and treat several skin conditions.
Hot water can open up pores, clean them up and exfoliate dead skin cells;
It can help to soothe dry, itchy skin;
Cold water lifts the skin and gives it a soothing texture and glow;
Massaging stimulates blood flow and reduces cellulite relief from itchiness and irritation.
Several studies [3] documented that spa water therapy treatment benefits several skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and others.
Popular Spa Water Therapy Treatments
Many different spa water therapy treatments are available, each with unique benefits. You can use them separately or in combination. Besides, it is a good idea to use aromatherapy with essential oils to have better relaxation and boost your mood and sleep quality. Here are some of the most popular spa water therapies:
Salt Water Therapy Treatment
Salt water therapy is a prevalent treatment. The high mineral content in warm water is a beneficial treatment for your skin. It can help to:
Detoxify and cleanse your skin
Open up your pores
Allow your skin to absorb more nutrients
Restore the natural chemical balance both inside and out
Cold Water Therapy
Cold water therapy has been a popular treatment since ancient times. It is a refreshing spa water procedure because of several reasons:
It can help improve circulation by constricting the blood vessels
Decrease the symptoms of inflammation like swelling, redness, and pain
The low temperature of the water can help numb pain receptors in the body, which relieves arthritis, headaches, and muscle pain;
Boost the immune system by changing temperature, which controls thermoregulation, increases immune cells, and protects from colds and illness.
Warm Water Spa Treatment
Warm water spa therapy is the most common type of hydrotherapy. It provides the best relaxation, can help improve circulation and increase blood flow throughout the body. The spa’s hydrostatic pressure also helps relieve pain and tension in the muscles.
What is a Circuit Water Treatment?
A circuit water treatment is a spa water therapy that uses different types of hydrotherapy to improve your health. It combines cold, hot water, and massage. The weightlessness of being in the water and different alternating temperatures bring various physical and mental benefits to the body.
Hydrotherapy Massage
It is an essential part of any spa treatment. It can improve your cardiovascular system, help you lose weight, and relieve joint pain and stiffness. There are different types of hydrotherapy massage that you can try:
Watsu is a type of massage that is performed in warm water that is rich in minerals. This treatment can help improve circulation, flexibility, and range of motion.
An underwater massage is a gentle, relaxing therapy. You immerse yourself in a large tub of warm mineral water, and an internal pump circulates water from the tub through a tube, creating a high-pressure jet that targets specific problem areas of your body.
The Vichy shower massages your body with an intense stream of water as you lie on a wet table. It is handy for improving your skin’s appearance and massaging certain painful areas of the body.
Summary
One way to experience all the pleasures of spa therapy is to bask in a backyard hot tub. You can enjoy all the benefits of bubbling warm water for your body, especially if you use natural treatment for your spa water. If you’d like to purchase a home spa ByRossi can help you choose the best model, they have many reviews from experienced experts. You can also read information about installation, use, and maintenance.
Spa water therapy has been around for centuries and is still popular today. Hydrotherapy, which uses water to treat various conditions, can benefit your health in many ways. It can help improve circulation, relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Now you have information about several different spa water therapies, you can find one that best suits your needs. If you have never tried a spa, it may be time to try it! You may be surprised at how much it can improve your health.
Sources
- Nikolai A Shevchuk. Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression. – Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(5):995-1001. DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2007.04.052. Epub 2007 Nov 13.
- Romain Forestier, Fatma-Begüm Erol-Forestier, Alain Francon. Current role for spa therapy in rheumatology. – Joint Bone Spine. 2017 Jan;84(1):9-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2016.05.003.Epub 2016 Jun 6.
- Najeeba Riyaz, Faiz Riyaz Arakkal. Spa therapy in dermatology. – Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011 Mar-Apr;77(2):128-34.doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.77450.
About The Author: Katie Brooks
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