Muscle relaxation is absolutely critical for pain relief, as pain is usually caused by muscle tension (including tension headaches). Sometimes joint pain is mainly due to the muscles clamping tightly over joints, making them rub together more than is healthy. The solution? Hydrotherapy and hot tubs can offer protection from stress on both bones and muscles by making you feel weightless - and this can lead to considerable relief of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis, and other conditions.

The body has many ways of eliminating wastes. One system is through sweating. Since the water in a hot tub is so warm, it increases sweating, which helps purge some of the development of toxins in your body.

Two added advantages to time in a hot tub include the release of endorphins through the whole body by the heat and pressure supplied by the jets. Endorphins are a natural product produced by our bodies and it is considered a "happy drug". It makes us feel great and diminishes the amount of pain you are able to feel. A soothing massage from the jets also aids in the relaxation of your complete body.

There are a number of warnings that should be carefully noted. First of all, the vasodilatation, or opening up of the blood vessels, that occurs slightly increases the temperature of your body and can raise your full body temperature up to 102 degrees. This is not safe for too long of a time, so it is recommended that you only stay in the hottub or spa for up to a quarter of an hour. Listening to your body is important to keep yourself safe and out of danger.

Even though hot tub therapy will lower blood pressure, it at first increases it due to the heart wanting to get the heat out of your body. That means that people who have high blood pressure (especially if you have been prescribed multiple medications) should speak with their doctors before trying hot tub hydrotherapy. Other medical conditions may prevent hot tubs from being an optimal way of relaxation. Ask your doctor!

Learning about how the human body operates and finding alternative ways to improve our quality of life can be a lifelong goal. Find out about more health benefiting information and live well.

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