Warm-water immersion has been found to produce a dramatic impact on the human autonomic nervous system (ANS). Photo courtesy Caldera Spas

By Dr. Bruce E. Becker

People have enjoyed warm-water immersion long before written history. In fact, many of the earliest habitation areas were established around natural hot springs, which allowed residents to take advantage of the benefits they had to offer. However, despite these facts, it is surprising that still today many people make little use of the warm-water environment for health advancement and preservation.

In recent years, a considerable amount of research has gone into assessing the impact of warm-water immersion and aquatic exercise on health. For instance, warm water immersion has been found to produce a dramatic impact on the human autonomic nervous system (ANS) (i.e. involuntary nervous system), the component of the central nervous system that controls cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function, blood flow and distribution, muscle tone and even a great deal of brain activity. The ANS has two components: the sympathetic system and the parasympathetic system.

Read the full article: The Science Behind The Soak