Stress has become synonymous with modernity, and has wriggled its way intricately into the fabric of human existence. It has become one of the biggest enemies as it can manifest into physical symptoms and affect people’s health significantly. Meditation, counseling, and physical exercise are many ways to deal with stress.
However, one therapy is quickly emerging and has proven very effective in the present times. It is called hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy harnesses the healing power of water to treat multiple symptoms in the human body and has many forms. It can be as simple as indulging in a warm shower or bath at home or using a special pool with various temperatures, pressurized jets, and ice packs.
Doctors and other healthcare providers have included hydrotherapy to treat multiple symptoms like joint pain and stiffness, muscle pain, menstrual discomfort, and multiple conditions like osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease cerebral palsy which eventually reduce stress levels in a person.
There is something very calming about being near water. It naturally helps improve our sense of well-being. However, these positive effects have a scientific base in decreasing stress.
The Role of Hydrotherapy in Reducing Stress
Hydrotherapy decreases stress, enhances the mood of a person, induces relaxation as it helps in alleviating symptoms, and enables people to lead a happier and healthier lives.
This is how
Hydrotherapy helps alleviate physical symptoms that cause stress and anxiety: Hydrotherapy has been used to decrease lower back pain with the help of massaging jets and whirlpool baths. There is further evidence that the therapy can reduce symptoms of anorectal conditions like hemorrhoids and anal fissures, it decreases the presence of bacteria on the skin, is a good way to relieve knee pain and edema during pregnancy, and the occurrence of arrhythmia that is irregular heartbeats and heart- related symptoms. The therapy also effectively decreases symptoms of arthritis and soothes burns and dermatitis.
Hydrotherapy for relaxation: Soaking in a hot tub of water helps ease the tension in muscles and decrease anxiety. It helps a person calm down and experience tranquility. Dr Bruce Becker, M.D. from Washington State University says that soaking for 25 minutes in a hot tub can significantly help the autonomous nervous system and initiate the release of dopamine in the brain.
Hydrotherapy improves sleep: Stress can significantly disrupt sleep. Hydrotherapy can assist in regularizing the circadian cycle by raising the body’s temperature before it comes down naturally while the person is asleep. This enables a person to sleep well for a longer time.
Hydrotherapy enhances the mood: The biggest side effects of stress are irritability and anxiety which can affect the mood of a person. The jets used in hydrotherapy can reduce these symptoms and ease the body and mind of a person. The water is known to alter the emotional state of a person and activate the release of endorphins which are known as feel-good chemicals.
Hydrotherapy helps in coping with the daily humdrum: People seldom realize that the stress involved with everyday living can take a significant toll on people’s health and well-being. This becomes evident in unexplained pain and aches, low energy levels, mood swings, disrupted sleep, etc. The interesting aspect of hydrotherapy is that the effects hydrotherapy has on the health of a person don’t stop the moment the person steps out of the water. Research indicates that people who indulge in hydrotherapy on a regular basis, tend to have lower levels of stress in the longer run. The data suggests that people with PTSD have exhibited fewer symptoms like hair-trigger responses after receiving the therapy.
Hydrotherapy boosts the brain’s health and power: The brain needs a healthy flow of blood to keep it functioning well and protect it from harmful toxins. A study has revealed that being in water improves the flow of blood to the brain.
People testify that hydrotherapy is therapeutic and helps them clear their heads. The others vouch for the therapy saying that it has helped them reduce physical symptoms, thereby increasing their comfort levels and enabling them to lead happier lives. Water therapy, aquatic therapy, or hydrotherapy is as as simple as getting into a pool of water and nailing the biggest hurdle- stress.
