Hot Tub and Spa Therapy for People With Diabetes

Another small, but intriguing study, published several years ago in The New England Journal of Medicine,
suggests another way that hot tub soaks simulate the beneficial effects of exercise. After tracking patients with
Type 2 diabetes, researcher Phillip L. Hooper, M.D., of McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colorado, found
that participants who soaked in a spa for 30 minutes a day, six days a week, lost nearly four pounds after
three weeks—without making any changes to their diet, exercise habits or other lifestyle factors. What’s more,
following tub treatments, patients experienced reduced blood sugar levels; their blood glucose levels
dropped, on average, from 182 mg/dl to 159 mg/dl and their A1c levels dipped from 11.3 to 10.3. The
patients also reported improved sleep and an increased general sense of well-being. Once again, the improved
blood flow from hot water soaks gets the credit, theorizes Dr. Hooper.

The hydrotherapy dilates the blood vessels, promoting better circulation as it relaxes the skin and muscles. It
also raises the heart rate, while lowering blood pressure. This seems to indicate that soaking in a hot tub may
be healthier for your heart than the traditional methods of exercise.

An article that appeared in the September 16, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine followed a
group of subjects that were required to soak in a hot tub for thirty minutes a day, six days a week, for three
weeks. Though this study was for diabetes research, the results were wide reaching. The patients' weight was
reduced by an average of 3.75 pounds each! The subjects lost over one pound per week, just by soaking in a
spa.

Regular use of hot tubs can also help to diminish the appearance of cellulite. The fatty deposits that typically
gather on the hips, thighs, and buttocks of most women past their 30s can never be fully eliminated. The
design of a woman's body naturally causes the skin to dimple out, whether she is overweight or thin.
However, by improving circulation to the areas affected by cellulite, it has been proven that the appearance
of the unsightly deposits can be reduced. According to a variety of medical sources available on the internet,
the hydrotherapy that a hot tub provides stimulates the blood vessels, increasing circulation. It also tones
the body tissue, reduces fluid retention, and relieves swelling. All of these benefits combined can result in the
diminishment of the appearance of cellulite.