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Hydrotherapy
| Physiotherapy
| Aromatherapy
| Reflexology
Watsu
| Hydrotherapeutic Massage
Relax, Rejuvenate, Rehabilitate
Water is as life sustaining as the air we breathe. Ancient Greek, Chinese and Native American traditions observed that water was one of the basic elements of a balanced life as well, with the power to calm fiery emotions, soothe the body, and restore the spirit.
Water therapies, particularly those involving warm water combined with massage, have proven effective throughout the centuries. People enjoyed mineral and thermal water baths as early as 500 B.C. in Greece. The ancient Romans were so convinced of the therapeutic value of thermal water that for some 600 years their medical treatments were almost exclusively centered on the Baths, which were also the communal meeting places of the time. Spas and bathhouses have long been popular in Egypt, Finland, Germany, Spain and Turkey; Japanese teak wood tubs are usually cited as the first at home hot tubs.
Today, spa and
hot tub water therapies are highly valued for their relaxing, rejuvenating,
and naturally rehabilitative qualities, and hot tubs remain a favorite
social setting. All over the world, people are tapping into the healing
benefits of water, in more ways than ever before.
Hydrotherapy
Everyday stress
can create muscle tension and restrict blood flow, causing headaches,
sleeplessness, fatigue, and soreness. And how we feel physically can
affect our thoughts, our moods, and our ability to enjoy life to the
fullest.
In a hot tub, three
key elements combine to create a hydrotherapeutic environment: heat,
buoyancy, and massage. Heat dilates blood vessels to increase blood
flow to sore or damaged tissue. Buoyancy reduces body weight by 90%,
relieving pressure on joints and muscles.
Massage works to
relax muscles and relieve pressure on nerves. It also boosts circulation
and accelerates the body's natural healing process. Hydro-massage is
delivered through the intricate and powerful system of jets found in
every Sundance Spas hot tub.
Recognized as a
proven healer since ancient times, hydrotherapy's benefits bring the
body into a more restful state, encouraging a good night's sleep and
diminishing the effects of stress and pain. Doctors and physical therapists
regularly prescribe it for the relief of pain caused by some types of
arthritis and short-term injuries. In addition, the jet-driven force
of the water enhances circulation, digestion, and skin tone.
Physiotherapy
Trainers, physical
therapists, and other health care professionals recommend hydrotherapeutic
sessions to alleviate the symptoms of muscle strains, sprains, and other
injuries, and to accelerate the healing process. The flow of warm water
eases muscle tension, and relieves pressure on surrounding nerves, joints,
and blood vessels. Movement becomes easier, which is especially important
for those suffering from arthritis and back pain. Warm water physiotherapy
is also one of the safest treatments available.
Exercising in water
is a wonderful way to improve flexibility and strength, build muscle
endurance and balance, combat the aging process, and boost your cardiovascular
system. The warm water of a hot tub also greatly reduces stress on joints
and stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkiller.
For aquatic exercise,
the temperature of the water must be cooler than the normal hot tub
setting. Even non-exercisers or patients recovering from accidents or
injuries can benefit from performing gentle, easy-flowing movements
with water as the medium. By working with the water's natural resistance,
even a mild water workout can tone muscles and boost metabolism.
Sundance Maxxus,
the first luxury hot tub designed specifically for use with aquatic
exercise equipment, adds buoyancy and massage benefits during a workout.
The Maxxus also provides more space than most hot tubs, allowing a greater
range of motion for vigorous, or specialized, exercise.
Aromatherapy
It is known as the "Fragrant cure" and a "healthy indulgence." Based on
the healing properties of plants, aromatherapy makes the most of the
fact that our sense of smell is a powerful trigger for emotions, memories,
and sensual response. Like hydrotherapy, aromatherapy has been employed
since ancient times, when man discovered that the oils of plants, or
plants mixed with oils, could be used to create personal scents and
relax muscles. Scent has been a symbol of wealth and power since the
days of the ancient Egyptians and the time of Nero. Marco Polo and Christopher
Columbus traveled the globe in search of fragrant spices and herbs.
Aromatherapists
have documented how scent affects our feelings and behavior. Today,
some businesses and department stores circulate essential oils in their
air conditioning systems to make the atmosphere either more invigorating
(keeping office workers alert) or more relaxing and upbeat (putting
shoppers in a buying mood).
Sundance Spas was
the first hot tub manufacturer to combine aromatherapy with hydrotherapy
in an automatic fragrance system. Without lessening water quality, Sundance
SunScents turn hydrotherapy into an evocative sensual experience, with
a surprisingly varied range of pleasing effects.
Reflexology
The benefits of
massaging the hands and feet go beyond comforting relief for just those
areas. We know that as long as 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in China, India
and Egypt, specific points on patients' feet and hands were manipulated
to affect healing in other parts of the body. These treatments were
based on energy channels (qi or chi in Chinese and Japanese
medicine, prana in Hindu) that flow through specific meridians,
or zones, in the body. In the early 1800s, Dr. William Fitzgerald identified
each channel's "reflex points" and their corresponding muscles, organs
and functions, and plotted detailed maps of the hands and feet.
Reflexology involves
the application of deep pressure to these reflex points in order to
loosen calcium obstructions and free the nerve pathways. One of the
basic principles of reflexology is relaxation.
Hydrotherapy can
impart many of the benefits of a true reflexology session. The warm
water promotes relaxation, enhancing the effects of the gentle pressure
being applied to reflex points on the body. In addition, Sundance jets
may he used to target specific pressure points for deep muscle massage.
On some models, powerful foot-rest jets conveniently massage all areas
of the feet, which contain more than 7,000 nerve endings. Mini Intelli-Jets
allow you to fine-tune the jet stream direction and volume for a precision
massage for hands or feet.
Watsu
Watsu, like reflexology,
employs ancient principles used to unblock the free flow of energy through
the body. Watsu combines water and shiatsu, a form of Japanese "finger
pressure" massage applied to the meridians of chi. It was developed
in 1980 by Harold Dull, who traveled to Japan to study Zen Shiatsu,
a form of massage using stretches and touchpoints to release blockages.
Back in America, Dull promoted the benefits of performing shiatsu moves
and stretches in warm water.
A warm spa (95°-97°F
or 35°-36°C) is a perfect environment for a Watsu aquatic bodywork session.
Floating in water and supported by the Watsu practitioner, the Watsu
receiver passes into a state of complete relaxation as gentle stretching
is applied to specific points. More than just a massage, Watsu involves
a series of free-flowing movements that increase flexibility and strengthen
muscles.
The healing techniques
of reflexology and Watsu are increasingly being integrated into the
practices of physical therapists. Hot tub users can easily adapt the
techniques of both therapies as well, to enhance well-being, health,
and relaxation.
The
Art of Hydrotherapeutic Massage
The jets in a Sundance
hot tub are versatile, delivering either of the two main categories
of massage technique, Eastern or Western. Accu-Pressure Jets provide
a more focused, stimulating, deep tissue massage (Eastern). The Sundance
Comfort Zone System allows you to control water pressure and flow for
a smoother, more relaxing massage (Western).
To enhance the
massage experience, Sundancc hot tub features the exclusive Accu-Ssage
Therapy Seat for a therapeutically effective massage. Ergonomically
designed massage systems built into every Sundance hot tub provide healing
hydrotherapy where you need it most.
A hydrotherapeutic
session late in the day can make it easier to fall asleep, and stay
asleep. There are so many ways in which warm water, buoyancy, and massage
combine to refresh the body and rejuvenate the spirit. Sundance Spas
invites you to explore the healing power of water.
Refill your energy
reservoir. Loosen restricted joints and muscles. Bring yourself back
into balance. And discover the pure pleasure of warm water relaxation.
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