I threw out my back last week. Ouch. I am active every single day and am constantly carrying my daughter, yet I managed to injure myself while lifting a very light bag in the market. The injury seemed to be a strained muscle, just on my right side. I spent a few days wincing in pain every time I lifted my daughter, but luckily I recovered within a week.
My first form of at-home treatment for any muscle injury is always heat, and specifically a bath. I believe that taking a bath is one of the most effective and underused activities for good health. All it requires is a bathtub and some warm water, plus epsom salts, bubble bath or essential oils if you want to get fancy.
Bathing is one of the basic types of “hydrotherapy”, which is defined as the use of water for therapeutic reasons. This practice has been used for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians bathed in tubs filled with essential oils and flowers. Hot springs have been used therapeutically in China and Japan for centuries. The Romans were big fans of this practice, as they built communal bath houses for their residents to enjoy. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the practice was not used for some time, but became popular again in Europe during the 18th century. It was introduced as an effective therapy in America during the mid-19th century.
The health benefits of bathing have been well documented for many years. Personally, I take baths for a number of reasons, but sore or strained muscles are what get me into the tub most often. I have always found bathing to be highly effective at soothing and relaxing muscles. In response to sitting in a warm bath, the body undergoes certain changes to keep its temperature from becoming too high, including opening the pores of the skin and diverting blood flow to the extremities. Further, the steam from a bath is beneficial for both skin and the sinuses.
Taking a bath can be very relaxing for the mind and has been found to reduce stress. Physically, this practice may reduce adrenal gland activity, which calms the nervous system. Many find it helpful to bathe before bed to reduce insomnia and promote better sleep.
Apart from the health benefits of bathing, I feel that it is an excellent way to incorporate self-care into one’s day. With our busy lives, there is something so rejuvenating and rewarding about slipping into a bath for 10 minutes of quiet time.
If you want to add a scent to your bath, try adding a few drops of essential oil. Lavender is particularly relaxing. Bubble baths can make a dip in the tub feel especially luxurious. I always use salts in my baths. I particularly like the “Batherapy” brand, which is a type of epsom salt. A soak with epsom salts is a well know remedy for aching muscles.
Hydrotherapy is pretty popular these days. There are many spas and baths that one can go to for a full day of water therapy. I am a huge fan of these spas, and love spending time in saunas and hot tubs. However, I feel that incorporating a bath into one’s weekly or daily routine is a simple way to obtain many of the same benefits.
As for my injury, my back felt better after a few days, and I was particularly relaxed due to all of the baths that I took last week.
Have you tried incorporating baths into your routine? If not, enjoy a soak in the tub!
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