While I LOVE using float tanks, Nic looks at me like I am a bit of a NUT job! I thought you might find this article interesting about a community pool in England;
In the English city of Peterborough, over 3,000 people signed a petition with the hopes of keeping open a community hydrotherapy pool. Located in St. Georges Centre, in Dogsthrope, the popular local hydrotherapy pool has been earmarked for closure by the City Council’s budget cuts. If the measure is approved, it will save the city £45,000. Even so, residents across the city are attempting to stop the closing of the pool, claiming that it has “too many success stories” to be discarded.
These individuals are part of a growing community that believes hydrotherapy to be immensely helpful to a number of medical conditions.
"Water is the driving force of all nature," Leonardo da Vinci once said. This seems true enough when it comes to hydrotherapy, which is a type of occupational and physiotherapy that uses water for pain relief and other treatments.
It's a healing approach with a long history, that has seen a recent revival owing to its relative lack of detractions, and many potential benefits. If you are interested in hydrotherapy, what are some of the benefits? Here are four things you should keep in mind.
1. Helps With Exercise
The American Cancer Society points out that hydrotherapy can be good for patients who experience pain. Water's buoyancy reduces the pressure of body weight by 90%. Exercising in water places less stress on joints and bones, which can be useful for individuals who would otherwise be in too much pain to receive proper fitness training.
2. Great for Arthritic Individuals
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "People with rheumatoid arthritis have more health improvements after participating in hydrotherapy than with other activities." Warm water helps to expand blood vessels, which relaxes muscles and increases circulation (two things that can help to reduce pain).
3. Helps Relieve Cold and Sore Throat Discomfort
Get your tissues ready before visiting a hydrotherapy spa, because the water vapor produced by the warm water can help to moisten your breathing passages, allowing you to clear out your sinus cavities more easily, and offering natural relief from the feeling of blockage. This is a great decongestant for individuals who can't or do not wish to take medication.
4. Hydrotherapy Can Help Improve Mental Health
According to one study cited by the CDC, swimming has been shown to improve mood for both men and women. It's also worth noting that, in talking to the parents of children with developmental disabilities, it was found that recreational activities, such as pool time, helped to improve a family's connections to each other.
Do you know other benefits of hydrotherapy? Let us know in the comments.