Health
Let Hydrotherapy Melt Your Stress Away
By
Feb 7, 2008, 22:32

(NewsUSA) - While we may enjoy the company of our family and friends, there's one companion that always outstays its welcome as soon as it arrives -; stress.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of workers say that their jobs are very stressful.

Other stress experts report that 75 to 90 percent of visits to the doctor for primary care are due to a stress-related illnesses.

While countless medications are prescribed daily to those looking for solace from their seemingly endless cycle of symptoms, which include muscle tension, fatigue and general unhappiness, people are turning to a treatment that's as ancient as it is simple -; hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy works by harnessing the combined effect of heat, massage and the buoyancy of water to relieve the body. Unwinding in warm water has been a practice for hundreds of years, and its scientific effects are proven -; warm water dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to sore or damaged tissues while simultaneously triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural stress fighter.

These days, getting the benefits of hydrotherapy at home has become a reachable goal with the popularity of self-contained hot tubs. Hot tubs have made the jump into many Americans' back yards due to their many benefits for health ailments. While you may know that hydrotherapy helps with typical aches and pains, the following chronic conditions have been successfully managed by hopping into a relaxing, swirling hot tub:

* Diabetes. Using a hot tub or spa for hydrotherapy benefits those suffering from Type 2 diabetes, as the combination of heat and massage helps reduce blood sugar levels in the body. Jacuzzi, a long-standing company, has perfected the massage technique with its 50/50 air-to-water mix that massages deeply, yet gently, to maximize the positive effects of hydrotherapy.

* Insomnia. If you depend on sedatives or other sleep-aid medications to get some shut-eye, try a round of hydrotherapy instead. Taking a few minutes to de-stress in a hot tub has been shown to prepare your body for a restful night's sleep naturally without the side effects of some medicines. Additionally, Sundance Spas offers chromatherapy lighting effects that can help you further relax and feel tranquil amid soft greens, blues and purples.

* Arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five American adults has been professionally diagnosed with a form of arthritis. Studies have shown that warm-water hydrotherapy helps arthritis sufferers by increasing blood flow to joints, relaxing muscles, increasing range of motion and helping to relieve associated pain.

For more information, visit www.jacuzzi.com or www.sundancespas.com.

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