About 30% of residents in Dubai experience chronic pain, from arthritis to lower back pain. A lot of clinics offer pain management programs to address this health care issue because it can lead to sleep disorders, worsen anxiety, and reduce one’s quality of life.
Although you certainly get a doctor to create a treatment plan, you can also look to the best wellness center in Dubai for complementary therapies. One of these is hydromassage.
What Is Hydromassage?
Stress has been strongly linked to and can aggravate pain conditions. Many types of therapies can help manage pain, and one of them innovatively combines massage therapy and hydrotherapy: hydromassage.
Hydromassage uses heated water and pressurized jets to massage the body. You’ll experience absolute relaxation and relief from minor pain with soothing heat and massage.
The therapeutic technique can be performed in one of two ways:
- Wet hydromassage – when you’re immersed in water where jets apply pressure to parts of your body
- Dry hydromassage – when you’re on a special lounge or bed that massages your body without wetting your skin
The basic mechanism behind hydromassage sounds a lot like a whirlpool or a Jacuzzi. The difference between these two is that hydromassage is intended primarily for therapeutic purposes, whereas a whirlpool or Jacuzzi is more for relaxation.
How Does Hydromassage Help You?
The combination of massage therapy and hydrotherapy can have therapeutic benefits. It can do more than alleviate pain.
Here are some of the benefits:
1. Improved circulation
Some conditions can contribute to poor circulation, which can create a whole other set of health problems. These include an increase in muscle tension, restricted movement, numbness, swelling, and eventually pain.
An improvement in circulation increases muscle temperature, which reduces tightness, improves relaxation, and decreases restriction of movement. The overall result is a decrease in pain.
Improved circulation also helps to enhance the healing of injuries. Hydromassage stimulates an increase in blood flow, improving oxygen levels to the muscles and essential nutrients that repair damaged muscle fibers and cells.
2. Muscle and joint pain relief
Hydromassage provides targeted massaging action, relaxing stiff or tightened muscles. It reduces stiffness, muscle soreness, and tension.
The massaging action from the water jets that loosen the tight muscles also provides temporary relief from minor aches and pains.
3. Stress reduction and relaxation
A traditional massage by itself is already a relaxing treat. By applying pressure to the soft tissues and muscles, a massage can reduce stress in a number of ways. These include relaxing tightened or stiff muscles, promoting relaxation in the nervous system, stimulating endorphin production, and lowering cortisol levels.
Hydromassage’s targeted massaging action will do the same, soothing your mind and body. With the reduction of stress hormones, you might gain mental clarity and emotional balance. So, if you’re looking for anxiety treatment without medication, this therapeutic massage may provide further support.
4. Post-workout recovery
People who work out tend to get a massage afterward. Some will use a hydromassage lounge to soothe muscles. A massage can reduce lactic acid in muscles.
Another key benefit to getting hydromassage is the absence of contact. Some people might not be too keen to get a massage because they don’t like being touched by another person. Some massage treatments may also require a person to have nothing on, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
Hydromassage is a good alternative to traditional massage. There’s no contact involved and you don’t have to change out of your clothes or take them off.
What to Expect During a Hydromassage
A typical session will last about 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on which wellness center you go to, you may use an open bed-style or a lounge with an ergonomic design. The open bed-style allows you to lie flat, whereas a lounge allows you to sit comfortably.
Either hydromassager type will likely come with an intuitive touchscreen and interface that allow you to select the intensity, speed, areas, and temperature, so your session is fully customizable.
The jets will move up and down your body, and you’ll feel wave-like streams of heated water (to a temperature of your choice). You can also control which areas you want targeted.
Who Can Benefit From Hydromassage?
Although hydromassage provides physical and mental benefits, this therapeutic technique may not be for everyone.
Because the water is heated, it may cause rashes or bruises if a wet hydromassage session is not done properly. Some caution may also be necessary for pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, and those with bleeding disorders.
When you want a hydromassage, book your treatment at an established, reliable wellness center with experienced and trained staff.
As with any alternative treatment, always check with your doctor before getting a hydromassage.