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Hydromassage
A hydromassage is one of the most popular types of body
massage which is produced by the therapeutic effects of
streams of water (typically warm water).
WHAT TYPE OF WATER IS USED IN A HYDROMASSAGE?
The type of water used in a hydromassage can vary from tap
water, spring water, mineral water, salt water, to others.
WHAT TYPES OF HYDROMASSAGE ARE THERE?
The way the hydromassage is delivered also varies.
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Sometimes the person lies in a tub and is manually massaged with water jets that are
passed over the body. Sometimes, the person sits directly over, in front of, or below a
mechanical water jet. In other instances, the water jets are in the air.
Hydromassages can occur in tubs designed to fit one person or large tubs designed to
fit multiple people.
The pressure level of the water can be low, medium, or high. Single or multiple jets of
water can be used. Some hydromassages are specifically designed for certain parts of
the body such as a small basin with water jets for the feet.
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HOW DOES A HYDROMASSAGE PRODUCE THERAPEUTIC
EFFECTS?
The therapeutic effects of the massage are caused by the
temperature of the water, the movement of the tissues, and
chemical changes in cells.
WHAT PROBLEMS DOES HYDROMASSAGE HELP TREAT?
Hydromassage can be very helpful to relieve acute (sudden) or
chronic (long-term) pain (e.g., back pain).
Hydromassage can also be helpful for decreasing muscle tension (e.g., in the neck muscles), decreasing
stress and anxiety (which can lead to improved sleep), decreasing discomfort during pregnancy, and
increasing blood circulation. Hydromassage is known to improve mood by creating a sense of well-being,
satisfaction, and peace of mind. The pain relief afforded by hydromassage is why it is a popular treatment
of bodily injuries (particular in sports) and illnesses/diseases that cause pain or discomfort.
Hydromassage is often used as a form of rehabilitation after surgery and in treating various medical
conditions.
Examples of conditions treated by hydromassage include arthritis (inflammation of the joints), headaches,
multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, spondylosis, temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) disorders, and tendinitis. A brief description of these terms follows for the rest of this paragrapj.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which people develop multiple areas of abnormal patches (also known
as plaques or sclerosis) in the brain and/or spinal cord (depending on the stage of the illness). Lupus
erythematosus is a long-term disease in which the connective tissues throughout the body are inflamed
because the body's defense system attacks these tissues as if they were foreign substances.
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic (long-term) pain and tenderness in the muscles and
bones, stiffness, fatigue, spasms, and severe sleep difficulties. Crohn's disease is a condition that
causes inflammation of the intestine (a tube shaped structure that is part of the digestive tract).
Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder that may cause loss of spinal structure or functioning. TMJ
disorders are problems with the joint that connects the upper and lower jaw. Tendinitis is inflammation,
irritation, and swelling of a tendon (groups of fibers that attach muscles to a bone).
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF HYDROMASSAGE?
The ancient history of hydromassage dates back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans who used baths and
massages in the water as a form of relaxation. As the Roman’s conquered greater areas of land, the
popularity of hydromassages grew further across various cultures. In 1752, a Scottish author named
Tobias Smollett wrote an essay about the therapeutic effects of water to improve hysterical disorders,
menstrual obstruction, and circulation.
In modern times, hydromassage has been increasingly popular since the 1960s. While one used to need
to go outside the home for a hydromassage, many people now have Jacuzzi tubs in their home or other
types of hydromassage equipment.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM, HYDROMASSAGE?
Hydromassage comes from the Greek word "hydor" meaning "water," and the Greek word "masso"
meaning "to knead." Put the words together and you get "to knead water."
