Even Weight Loss Can be a Hot Tub Therapy Benefit
As unbelievable as it may sound, recent studies have proven that the regular use of hot tubs can aid in the reduction of weight, as well as diminish the appearance of cellulite. This stems from the fact that soaking in a hot tub simulates exercise. The hydrotherapy dilates the blood vessels, promoting better circulation as it relaxes the skin and muscles. It also raises the heart rate, while lowering blood pressure. This seems to indicate that soaking in a hot tub may be healthier for your heart than the traditional methods of exercise.
An article that appeared in the September 16, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine followed a group of subjects who were required to soak in a hot tub for thirty minutes a day, six days a week, for three weeks. Though this study was for diabetes research, the results were wide-reaching. The patients' weight was reduced by an average of 3.75 pounds! The subjects lost over one pound per week, just by soaking in a spa.
Regular use of hot tubs can also help to diminish the appearance of cellulite. The fatty deposits that typically gather on the hips, thighs and buttocks of most women past their 30s can never be fully eliminated. The design of a woman's body naturally causes the skin to dimple out, whether she is overweight or thin. However, by improving circulation to the areas affected by cellulite, it has been proven that the appearance of the unsightly deposits can be reduced.
According to a variety of medical sources available on the Internet, the hydrotherapy that a hot tub provides stimulates the blood vessels, increasing circulation. It also tones the body tissue, reduces fluid retention and relieves swelling. All of these benefits combined can result in the diminishment of the appearance of cellulite.
Improve Your Cardiovascular Health Naturally
A study at the Mayo Clinic found that since bathing in your hot tub simulates exercise, soaking in one gives you the same health benefits of exercise - with less stress to the heart! A hot tub increases the heart rate while lowering blood pressure, instead of raising it as other forms of exercise do.
A recent medical article titled "Mayo Clinic OK's Spas for Heart Patients" indicates that hot tubs and spas may not present as much of a risk to heart patients as previously thought. The report stated that relaxing in a spa might actually be less stressful to your heart than working out on an exercise bicycle.
The research, led by Dr. Thomas G. Allison of the world-renowned medical center, examined the body temperature and cardiovascular stress experienced by 15 patients at risk for heart disease both in hot water and on bicycles. The studies showed that exercise caused blood pressure to rise from an average of 121/73 to 170/84. By contrast, sitting in a spa made the blood pressure drop from an average of 117/77 to 106/61. The article also states that hot tub use will raise heart rates 25.7 beats per minute.
"When you get in a hot tub, your heart naturally beats faster," Dr. Allison explained, "and many heart disease patients want to know if the stress placed on the heart is too great."
