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How Hydrotherapy Helps with Diabetes
Did you know that diabetes affects 25.8 million people in the United States. That’s approximately eight percent of the population. In 2010, 1.9 million people older than 20 had diabetes. If you are, or if you know of someone who is diabetic, feel free to read on about how hydrotherapy can help ease the condition.
Diabetes is categorized by two types, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which insulin produced by the body is defective, and cannot transport glucose into cells. It is most common in children and teens, but not ruled out to be diagnosed in adulthood. Type 2 Diabetes is more common, affecting about 90 percent of the diabetic population, mainly adults. This condition occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced is defective, and cannot move glucose to cells in the body. Causes of diagnosis have been known to be lack of physical activity and obesity.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
*Extreme thirst
*Blurry vision
*Unusual thirst
*Slow healing cuts
*Frequent urination
*Fatigue or unexplained tiredness
*Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Hydrotherapy for Diabetics
Hydrotherapy exists in many forms. The most common sources occur from hospitals, physical therapy centers, pools, and more. Warm water and cool water therapy are available, but the most common for diabetic treatment is by warm water therapy.
Studies were done to show how hydrotherapy helps with diabetes. A study in the 90’s by a New England university had two Type 2 diabetics soak in a warm water whirlpool for 30 minutes a day, six days a week for six weeks. After the study
was complete, the two individuals had lower
glucose levels, and had their glucose mediation
lowered with help from hydrotherapy. Here’s a
little more information about the benefits of
hydrotherapy.
There are three key factors in hydrotherapy, and
they are heat, buoyancy, and massage. The
heat of the water helps expand blood vessels,
and increase circulation. The buoyancy of the water reduces body weight, allowing less pressure on aching joints. The massaging feature is created by a mixture of water and air through water jets. The water jets help relax muscles, and increase the body’s endorphins, relieving pain.
Warm water is used in most diabetic hydrotherapy sessions. Warm water helps increase blood flow, and expand blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels allow blood to travel where it’s most needed in the body, most commonly, hands and feet. Hydrotherapy also helps alleviate tingling and numbness in limbs. The increasing circulation also heightens the heart rate, equivalent to a runner in a 5K. Buoyancy of the water in hydrotherapy helps ease tension throughout the body, and lessen stress which helps sufferers of diabetes.
With all the benefits of hydrotherapy for diabetic patients, therapy is most easily done at home. At first thought, purchasing a hot tub could get pricey once you consider the cost, placement preparation, electrical installation, chemical purchases, and maintenance. There is one style of a hot tub that is easy to install, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly, too. We like to call it the Softub. Costs, the least maintenance, the most portability and provides the most comfort! For more information, click HERE
Tyane Milem-Information Specialist
Softub Inc.
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