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People who suffer from arthritis aren’t the only ones who can benefit from hydrotherapy.
While it’s common practice for doctors to prescribe hot tub time for their patients with arthritis, there’s proof that people with type 2 diabetes might be excellent candidates for this form of water treatment.
How Common Is Diabetes?
According to the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans, which is 8.3% of the population. The NDEP also estimates that there are actually 79 million adults of age 20 or older who have pre-diabetes, a condition that can advance from higher-than-normal blood glucose levels to full-out diabetes if not managed and treated accordingly.
Type 2 diabetes isn’t a curable disease, but it can be controlled by maintaining proper eating, exercise, and body weight goals. Spa therapy can’t help with the first, but it might help with the last two.
How Does Spa Hydrotherapy Help Treat It?
A study conducted by The New England Journal of Medicine reported that hydrotherapy has a positive impact on people suffering from type 2 diabetes. The study examined eight patients who sat in a hot tub for 30 minutes over three weeks; researchers reported reduced weight, plasma glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin in the patients.
Hydrotherapy is also recommended for people with type 2 diabetes who can’t exercise due to their physical health. These people benefit from the increased blood flow to the skeletal muscles, as well as the ability to move around in the water without putting extra strain on their bodies.
The only precaution diabetes patients should take when undergoing hydrotherapy for their condition is making sure the water is sanitized and at a temperature not too hot for their body to handle. Unclean water can result in infections, and hot water can cause burns that diabetes patients can’t feel until it’s too late. Ultraviolet water purification systems on hot tubs can make a huge difference in ensuring clean sanitized water.
If you or someone you know suffers from type 2 diabetes, consider asking your doctor about hydrotherapy. When prescribed and undergone correctly, it could be one of the best ways for you to manage your disease and live a more fulfilling life. And remember; ask your doctor how a prescription for a hot tub can be submitted to your insurance and your accountant how it can be deducted from your taxes.
How has hydrotherapy helped you or someone you know with diabetes? Let us know in the comments below!