Hydrotherapy as a Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder associated with a characteristic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep, and issues with memory and mood. It is known to amplify pain by affecting the way the brain processes the signals of pain. From statistics, more than five million Americans above the age of eighteen suffer from fibromyalgia. This study showed that more than eighty percent of these people are females.

Series of studies and tests have been carried out to find a cure, but the disorder has been a bit difficult to treat. Till date there is no cure, but more and more research is being carried out daily to find a solution to this painful disorder. As research has been carried out over the years, ways to manage fibromyalgia has been discovered, and it can be managed by a team of healthcare providers. But this disease, simply put, has a lot to do with the family history of the affected individual. Scientists and physicians have confirmed that individuals affected by fibromyalgia are those that have a family history of the disorder. Although, they also stated that individuals affected by the disorder can be as a result of exposure to highly stressful or traumatic events which could lead to the development of the disorder.

With the aid of proper research and present-day technology, medical treatments and therapies have been discovered to suppress chronic pain and its effects caused by the disorder. A particular example of this treatment and therapy is hydrotherapy. 

Fibromyalgia is characterized by issues related to musculoskeletal pain, sleep and fatigue. This condition is difficult to treat but till now there is no cure.  But to suppress chronic pain, medical treatments and therapies have been discovered. One such is hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy Treatment for Fibromyalgia

To treat various medical and non medical conditions hydrotherapy is used. To help patients suppress the pain warm or hot water is used. The muscles are loosened by the warm water and production of endorphins is spurred which are natural painkillers of the body. The blood circulation is enhanced by hydrotherapy and it also relaxes the muscles.  In different ways hydrotherapy is done and certain exercises are involved in it usually that is controlled by a physiotherapist.

Due to privacy issues mostly fibromyalgia is avoided by the affected individual. A solution to this is walk-in tub that is twice as big as regular traditional tub. So it is possible to completely submerge the body. Any form of exercise that is possible or not comfortable is carried out. The benefits of hydrotherapy are:

• The tensed up muscles are relaxed and loosened up
• With a diastolic exercise the heart is exercised
• From the skin toxins and wastes are removed
• Enhances good circulation of blood
• The metabolic rate of the body is raised and a healthier diet is inspired
• Healing of bruised muscles and joints can be spurred

Processes involved in hydrotherapy are:

• Soaking- the whole body is immersed in water. By 90 percent the body weight is reduced drastically. While still in water the body is in buoyant state which is known as floating. Thus the tension on the joints and muscles is reduced. The range of motion is increased. Particularly for patients with limited mobility, this is helpful. The major reason for walk-in tub is soaking. To prevent accidents it is designed with safety equipment.

• Air massage- for oxygenating and rejuvenating the skin, the bubbles by the air jet system is produced. The toxins in the pores of the skin are pulled by using the minute size of bubbles. Thus the stress is relieved and blood circulation is improved by this air massage. Depending on the individual level the pressure can be set to high or low. When it comes to maintenance the air jets do not require much. Since the water pipes are absent hence they do not cause bacteria formation. To prevent the air jet from cooling the water they are to be connected to a heated blower.

• Water massage- for this massage to be effective, before the jets are turned on the bath must be filled up. The skin pores are opened up by the warm water. So the toxic wastes and sweat is released. Thus the skin becomes younger and healthier. Warm water is blown by the water massage so that it can circulate throughout the body. This helps the muscles to loosen up and by enhancing blood flow the individual is relieved from stress. Also the heart rate is slowed down. The water can be cooled off by water jets since they are blowers. To the blower by adding in-line water heater this can be prevented.