Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Diabetes

More than 16 million people have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin, so you have to inject yourself with insulin. Type 2 diabetes is when you may be able to control your blood glucose levels by following a special diet and exercise program. Some people with Type 2 diabetes also need to inject themselves with insulin.

Hydrotherapy has proven useful for helping patients with Type 1 and  2 Diabetes. In a study published in 1999 by the New England Journal of Medicine, people with Type 2 diabetes soaked in hot tubs for 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Doctors noticed that these patients had an easier time controlling their weight and plasma glucose levels.

Some patients even required smaller doses of insulin as a result. Patients who were unable to exercise reported even more benefits, as hydrotherapy helped increase blood flow to their skeletal muscles.

Unfortunately, because many people with Type 2 diabetes are unable to follow the rigorous type of exercise program most doctors recommend, soaking in a hot tub is now seen as an alternate therapy. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed how a 30-minute soak a day for three consecutive weeks reduced overall blood sugar levels in people participating in the study by 13 percent.

Another benefit to soaking in a hot tub or enjoying time in a walk-in spa is that many people with diabetes, who often report high levels of stress, feel better and less stressed after participating in a form of hydrotherapy treatment. People with diabetes also reported relaxed muscles, increased circulation, and reduced blood pressure.

The water you soak in appears to also be an effective pain reliever because it gives your body buoyancy that does not or would not otherwise occur. Soaking in water can help support all areas of your body, contribute to reduced muscle and join pain, invigorate your muscles, and stimulate the release of chemicals and hormones in your body, which can help you feel better.

People with Type 1 diabetes may also benefit from hydrotherapy, as these people also report joint stiffness and a limited range of motion. Both of these side effects of the diabetes may be alleviated by hydrotherapy, but the diabetes itself may not be affected.