I discovered a variety of medical reasons for its success as a drug-free pain reliever. Even before hydrotherapy has a chance to work on the muscles and joints, it offers immediate help with sleep difficulties. First of all, I was always too cold to fall asleep when I went to bed, so I schedule my hydrotherapy for an hour before bed-time. Sleep experts have discovered that sleep deepens as the body temperature drops, so that by increasing the body temperature just before bedtime, fibromyalgia sufferers can help induce Stage IV, deep dreamless sleep. This buoyancy helps relieve pain in the back, legs, and other areas quite simply because the water is supporting the body.
Buoyancy overcomes gravity and helps relieve stress, both physical and mental.
Warm water has always been known as a pain reliever - with a very simple explanation. The body produces endorphins, which are natural pain killers, and this production is stimulated by warm water. As the body is submerged in warm water, the blood vessels near the skin relax, particulary with hydrotherapy. More blood flow means more endorphins and nutrients to damaged cells, thus letting the body relieve its own pain. During exercise, microscopic tears in the muscle occur and lactic acid builds up.