Think back to injuries and pain you experienced as a child (or more recently). Chances are, heat and cold were recommended as therapy by your doctors, grandmothers, school nurses or parents.
It makes sense then, that there are real benefits of using heat when it comes to your health. This is especially true of hot water. While heat packs may be great for localized pain and injuries, being able to submerge in hot water eliminates limitations associated with small, stiff heat packs by being able to reach every spot at one time.
While drinking water is beneficial for overall health, soaking in hot water as you do in hot water plunge pools may be just as important.
Relaxation
In the fast-paced society in which we live, relaxation is hard to come by. Between constant appointments, the availability of mobile technology and other distractions, stress levels seem to be at all time highs.
Think of what requires you to take a break from technology and the other distractions…water. Even if you are not suffering from an injury, pain-causing condition or anything else, by taking the time to relax in hot water, you’re forcing your body to slow down. That’s something that can be hard to come by and the benefits are truly immeasurable.
Muscle Recovery
Following workouts for high-performance athletes or even physical therapy for individuals recovering from injuries or medical procedures, warm water therapy is often recommended.
By taking the time to soak in warm water (optimally between 94 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit), tight muscles are given the opportunity to relax and endorphins are released. Some hot water pools (available for homes and professionals) are equipped with massage hoses that add the additional benefit of deep tissue therapy during the soak.
Proper muscle recovery is critical for future performance and long-term prognoses in individuals recovering from injuries. Hot water offers this type of recovery in an affordable fashion.
Pain Relief
In the same way that hot water provides for relaxation and muscle recovery, it can be used for pain relief (for injuries and chronic conditions).
Hot water heats the body’s muscles and tissues, increasing circulation and thereby restoring blood flow throughout the entire body. Increased blood flow decreases stiffness in joints, relieves pain and has been known to calm muscle spasms in individuals with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and other medical conditions.
By regulating the neuromuscular and endocrine systems (through increased blood flow), benefits can be seen quickly when hot water therapy is used on a regular basis.
When it comes to tangible health benefits from a naturally occurring element, hot water offers demonstrated relief from pain, shorter muscle recovery times and increased stamina to individuals suffering from injuries and chronic conditions.
