Staying flexible, looking better and losing weight
A soak a day keeps the pounds away.
It may be hard to believe, but regular use of a hot tub has been proven in a study by New England Journal of Medicine to lead to weight loss. The increased heart rate induced by the hot water mimics the same physiological effects of exercise, yet unlike normal exercise where blood pressure rises, the dilation of the body’s blood vessels in reaction to the heat actually decreases blood pressure. More circulation to organs means better digestion. This study researched the effect of daily hot water therapy in a hot tub, 30 minutes a day, six days a week for a three week period. The patients recorded an average weight loss of just under 4 pounds for the three week period. That’s over a pound a week.
More healthy than exercise or not, it is arguably a more relaxing way to increase your heart rate to promote healthy heart function which can often lead to weight loss. A soak a day keeps the pounds away. Be sure to include your doctor in the decision to undergo any hot water treatments.
Regular use of a hot tub is also said to reduce the unfavorable appearance of cellulose. Physiologically, cellulose is simply an area of fatty deposits that often gathers around the hips, thighs and buttocks for many women no matter what level of shape or fitness. Warm water hydrotherapy stimulates blood vessels and improves circulation, which in turn can reduce fluid retention and relieve swelling. This can lead to a lessening in the appearance of cellulose.
Relieve Arthritis
Hydrotherapy can also relieve some types of arthritis. Arthritis, which most of us understand to be an inflammation of a joint or joints that results in chronic pain and swelling, is actually the name for a family of over a hundred separate diseases. By some estimates, one out of every three families has someone who suffers from this condition. Almost 50 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis and the varying degrees of pain that come with it.
A recent study by the Arthritis Foundation found that of a sample group of over 380 people that had tried hot water therapy, (more specifically a hot tub) over 100 experienced one of the following: reduced pain, increased range of motion and reduced fatigue. 241 people, almost 2/3, experienced all three!Hydromassage uses the pressure of underwater jets to pump air and water into your sore muscles just a masseuse uses their hands.
A publication of the Arthritis Foundation was quoted, "Regular sessions in [a] hot tub help keep joints moving. It restores and preserves strength and flexibility, and also protects your joints from further damage. Exercise can also improve a person's coordination, endurance, and the ability to perform daily tasks, and can lead to an enhanced sense of self-esteem and accomplishment.”
"A hot tub fulfills the need perfectly . . . providing the warmth, massage, and buoyancy that is so necessary to the well-being of arthritis sufferers. The buoyancy of the water supports and lessens stress on the joints and encourages freer movement. Water exercises may even act as a resistance to help build muscle strength."
“I purchased my hot tub nearly five years ago, after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. At that point, I was experiencing so much pain that there were days when I had difficulty walking across the street. Ibuprofen was my ultimate source of relief. Now I am pain, and drug, free! Hot tubs have the advantage of having numerous adjustable jets, which can target specific pressure points on the body. It is well known that people with fibromyalgia have pain in specific areas, and this can often be relieved by hydrotherapy massage, whereas a body massage may be too stressful, and simply cause more pain. People with arthritis can also adjust their hydrotherapy massage to their best advantage. “Linda Aksomitis
According to the Wall Street Journal, Japanese doctors are recommending soaking in hot springs for their patients with arthritis. The warmth and water of the springs can relieve arthritis symptoms and provide long lasting benefits. While natural hot springs are often out of reach of many of us, there are powdered mineral additives that can be added to the water of either a tub or hot tub, to mimic the same healing attributes of a natural hot spring. Inquire with a local hot tub dealer for more information.
If you suffer from arthritis, you will need to consult your doctor before undergoing treatment. The Arthritis Foundation has a variety of articles on their website on the subject of hot tubs, hydrotherapy and exercise. Learn more