4 Benefits of Hot and Cold Water Therapy for the Body

The use of water both for therapy and cleansing purposes goes back as old as human history.

In spa centers, which stands for “sanus per aquam” or in other words “health from water”, water of different temperatures has different effects and benefits for the body, mind and spirit. So, what are the effects of hot and cold water therapies on the body? 

1) Eases Muscle and Joint Pain 

Hot water therapies allow for a deep physical and spiritual relaxation by increasing the blood flow in the tissues and relaxing the inflamed joints and tired muscles. On the other hand, cold water therapies slow down the circulation and help reduce pain in our body by calming down the nerves. Cold water therapies that help reduce inflammation and edema also help eliminate muscle spasms. Contrast hydrotherapy (water circuit therapy) that is based on an immersion in hot and cold water alternately, is very effective in elimination of chronic pain, lymphatic drainage and relaxation of the tired muscles. This technique that has been in use since ancient times increases the blood circulation, it is also beneficial in achieving a younger looking skin. After such therapy you can feel well rested and like new. 

2) Increases Mood 

Research shows that both hot water and cold water therapies have positive effects on spiritual and mental health. Hot water therapy positively affects our brain's learning and memory functions by increasing the neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reducing depressive symptoms. Cold water therapies support dopamine and norepinephrine neurochemicals and reduce cortisol levels, also known as the stress hormone. And this, by creating a positive effect on our mental and spiritual health, increases our mood. With therapeutic baths that include various components such as medical herbs, sea salt, aromatherapy oils these effects can be strengthened and you can get rid of the stress of the city. 

3) Good for the Skin

Hot water therapies allow the pores of the skin to open and breathe with the effect of the heat and soften the skin like a baby. After hot water therapies you can apply silk washing gloves to the skin, remove all dead skin and achieve a shining skin. Once you finish the hot water therapy and remove all the dead skin, you can apply the cold water therapy right away to energize your skin. With cold water therapy, by speeding up the blood circulation you can achieve a tighter skin and look younger. You can achieve a fresher look by applying moisture treatments to your skin which is almost revitalized by the contrast of hot and cold water. 

4) Prepares the Body Before and After Sleep

Our muscles that have relaxed with the touch of hot water literally leave us in the embrace of a quality and peaceful sleep. Feeling sleepy after a hot bath is solely because of the fact that hot water has a fatigue removing effect. That is why if you are suffering from sleep problems, hot water therapy will be an ideal choice for you. 

Cold water therapy, on the other hand, increases our heart rate and blood pressure by tightening up our veins and speeds up our metabolism. This way by achieving that your body wakes up completely after sleep, gives liveliness. For instance; you can leave yourself to the buoyancy of water by entering the swimming tank of a spa area and enjoy the feeling of lightness in the deep darkness of the tank in your peaceful sleep that night. 

While hot and cold water therapies have benefits and various effects on the body, too much hot and cold water application, might have undesirable effects especially on people with some health problems. That’s why if you have a special medical condition, do not forget to tell the specialists in the spa center about your condition. Don’t forget to follow Spatopia for new information about spas!