Have you ever heard of hydrotherapy? Also known as water therapy, it is a magical natural method for treating various common ailments, providing significant effects on both the body and mind. Are you unfamiliar with hydrotherapy, or wondering if it's suitable for you? We have summarized the main benefits of hydrotherapy to help you make an informed decision.

What is Hydrotherapy?

Firstly, what is hydrotherapy? In simple terms, it is a therapy that uses water to treat various symptoms in the body. Hydrotherapy refers to the use of water to address various bodily symptoms. You might have heard it referred to as hydrothermal therapy, aquatic therapy, or balneotherapy, among other names.

Hydrotherapy can be as simple as soaking in a hot bath at home or using specialized water tanks or pools. It also includes methods such as pressurized jets, hot and cold alternation, and ice packs.

From recorded history, healthcare providers have been using water to treat various injuries and illnesses. Over the past 20 years, medical experts have researched hydrotherapy as an evidence-supported method for treating certain conditions and symptoms. Studies have found hydrotherapy to be an effective choice for alleviating symptoms such as muscle pain and joint stiffness.

Aquatic Exercise

Hydrotherapy encompasses various exercises done in or around water. So, whether it's a leisurely swim or just soaking in a bath, it is beneficial for both your physical and emotional well-being.

Yes, even during menstruation, you can engage in aquatic exercises. Our menstrual swimwear is designed to absorb menstrual blood, allowing you to participate in various activities during your period. We recommend choosing menstrual swimwear suitable for moderate menstrual flow.

Warm Water Baths

Never underestimate the effects of a warm water bath! When you're feeling stressed or experiencing menstrual cramps, try taking a hot bath. Add a few drops of essential oils and relax.

The contact of warm water with your skin not only relieves muscle spasms and pain but also helps you relax emotionally.

Sitz Baths

Sitz baths may be particularly suitable for new mothers or individuals with hemorrhoids. A sitz bath is a warm or lukewarm shallow bath where you can sit to relieve pain or discomfort in the perineal area. Its purpose is to relax and soften muscles, alleviating pain and reducing spasms.

During the postpartum period, sitz baths are beneficial in relieving pain and swelling. You don't need to add anything to the water—plain water is best for treating and preventing infections.

 Saunas

Who doesn't enjoy a sauna on a spa day? Yes, saunas also fall under hydrotherapy—how fantastic! Numerous studies explain the benefits of saunas, such as their impact on blood pressure, lung diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, and more.

Research has also found that saunas can significantly reduce stress levels, with one report concluding that even a single sauna session is enough to alleviate symptoms. What are you waiting for?!

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy has many benefits, not limited to the physical realm. As mentioned earlier, time spent in or near water has miraculous effects on emotional well-being. A 2011 study explored the so-called "blue therapy," finding profound effects of blue environments on health and well-being.

Marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, in his book "Blue Mind," talks about how every moment spent by or in the water brings cognitive and emotional benefits. He concludes, "Being close to water increases the levels of hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin while decreasing the level of the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in a relaxing effect."

Clearly, hydrotherapy has a powerful impact on the brain. So, what physical benefits might you experience? Here are just a few:

- Alleviates depression

- Relieves headaches

- Eases joint issues

- Relieves muscle pain, soreness, and spasms

- Reduces stress

- Alleviates menstrual cramps

- Enhances mood

Cold Water vs. Hot Water

Alright, we know hydrotherapy is beneficial, but do we need hot water or cold water? Before you give up on the latter, you might want to know that cold water also has many benefits, such as relieving pain, reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, alleviating soreness, boosting the immune system, and aiding post-exercise recovery.

Wild swimming is an excellent way to try cold water therapy, or if the weather is cold, you can experiment with it at a local swimming pool!

However, for most people, warm water is always more appealing. Fortunately, higher temperatures also come with many benefits, such as relieving pain, improving internal blood flow, easing muscle soreness and spasms, flushing out toxins, and relieving constipation.

Additional Benefits of Hydrotherapy

- Increased blood circulation—Exercising in a warm pool can increase blood supply to the pelvic, abdominal, and thigh areas, helping to relax muscles and flush out prostaglandins.

- Pain relief—Warm water prevents the sensation of pain by acting on heat and mechanical receptors. Various aquatic stretching exercises help break the pain points in muscles, reducing discomfort.

- Stress reduction—Active and passive relaxation techniques reduce stress and anxiety associated with menstrual cramps by acting on the body's sympathetic system.

- Muscle enhancement—The viscosity of water provides natural resistance for muscle exercises, aiding in enhancing muscle effects.

- Low impact on joints—As gravity is almost eliminated in the water, exercising in the pool reduces the weight-bearing pressure on joints to only about 1/10th of body weight.

Hydrotherapy for Treating Menstrual Pain

So, is hydrotherapy effective for menstrual pain? Absolutely! We all know that taking a hot bath or using a hot water bottle can relieve menstrual cramps, but hydrotherapy has many other benefits during menstruation.

According to some studies, cold water immersion therapy is an excellent method for relieving menstrual cramps and reducing inflammation. The study claims that cold water therapy positively influences the menstrual cycle by helping regulate hormones and reducing physical discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome (such as cramps and fatigue). Additionally, combining this holistic approach with regular exercise or yoga, along with a healthy diet, can bring additional benefits to the overall health and well-being of the menstrual cycle.

So, trying this during your period is entirely feasible. Once again, choosing Beautikini period swimwear specifically designed for menstruation is a good idea, allowing you to fully enjoy your time in the water!