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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why soak?
We humans were nurtured for nine months in the amniotic fluid in the womb, an
environment sometimes called “The Bath of Life”. Soaking in hot mineral water
recreates this environment and reconnects us with the feeling of being nurtured.
It allows us to relax and regain our mental composure, to reconnect with healthy
life rhythms and lose some of the mental and physical fatigue from coping with
the difficult and complex society we live in. The process of perspiration
consumes calories: dialing soaking can normalize our skin’s ability to regulate
body temperature.
Definitely not: each of us experiences something different when we soak. Method,
water temperature, length of time, depth of tub, water quality and our own
expectations, attitudes and consciousness all affect the benefits we receive.
Some effects can be generalized and predicted; however, individual effects will
vary and each of us should pay close attention to the responses of our own
bodies and guide ourselves accordingly.
It depends. Here are some general guidelines: 1. It only takes about ten minutes
for the heat to completely penetrate your body (muscles, circulatory system,
digestive system and central nervous system); 2. Heat is a vasodilator; 3. Heat
is a metabolism exciter; and 4. At about 2 degrees above body temperature (102°
F) perspiration begins to seep from the hair roots and sweat glands. Different
effects are associated with high temperature soaking (104°F and above) and low
temperature soaking (100 - 103°F). 104° F = 40°C.
Low temperatures stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and accelerate the
secretion of nor-adrenaline, which reduces excessive strain & stimulation, both
psychological and physiological. These effects appear gradually. Low
temperatures do not impose any undue load on the circulatory system or the heart
and may stabilize high blood pressure in the normal range. According to some,
twice daily soaking “ensures a healthy constitution free of the common cold.”
High water temperatures activate the perspiration process and accelerate natural
metabolic activity. Perspiration cleanses the body of dirt and oils and consumes
calories. Circulation is accelerated and the discharge of lactic acid and other
residues is promoted, thus relieving muscle stiffness. The sympathetic nervous
system secretes more adrenalin. Pulse rates and blood flow rises immediately
upon entering hot water because the blood vessels of the heart shrink
temporarily. Blood pressure will decline gradually as the capillary vessels
expand. It is important to pay attention to your body as it goes through the
cycle of changes produced by the heat. High water temperatures seem to pull the
heat of sunburn out of the skin: the initial sensation is more intense but
subsides gradually.
Generally, you should AVOID soaking immediately before or after meals: as the
blood flow increases on the body surface, it is drawn from the stomach, liver
and other internal organs, hampering the digestive and absorptive activities of
the stomach and intestines.
Two matters are associated with size: hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy.
Hydrostatic pressure pushes the water stored in the lower legs back up the legs,
alleviating fatigue, putting pressure on the blood and lymphatic vessels; and
stimulating and reinforcing heart and lung performance. The deeper the water is,
the greater the hydrostatic pressure. Buoyancy is greater where the water is
higher in salts. If you can stretch out and float, the buoyancy effect reduces
the weight below the neck by almost 85%. Hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy
facilitate rehabilitation therapies.
Many of the mineral elements in this water are beneficial to the skin and skin
problems. Your body may continue to discharge heat and perspiration, continuing
to cleanse your pores and shed toxins, you may not want to arbitrarily stop this
process. After a soak, the skin is alkaline and the pores are open, this is the
best time for effective skin treatment.
Yes! As the body heats up, it begins to perspire, which burns calories. The heat
accelerates body metabolism and accelerates the dissolution of fat within the
body. Here is what one author recommends: “One should take a high temperature
bath and when perspiration starts, get out and take a two or three minute break
to cool down; then re-enter for four or five minutes and take another break.
This pattern should be repeated three times during one bathing experience.” As
part of an overall regime of regular meals, controlled caloric intake and proper
and regular exercise, daily soaking may help you lose as much as 6 to 8 pounds
per month.
A low temperature soak 20 to 30 minutes before bed will help you feel relaxed,
calm your temper and relieve stress and irritation. A high temperature soak for
3 or 4 minutes followed by a cooling off period, repeated several times,
refreshes and revitalizes. A low temperature soak for 20 to 30 minutes daily may
help lower blood pressure. In general, soaking in hot water affects the control
of and stabilizes the autonomous functions of the nervous system and may bring
conditions of over- or under-secretion of adrenalin into balance. What minerals are in the water?
This analysis was done by the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1987. The
highest concentrations are listed first, in parts per million:
What effect do the various mineral have?
Minerals are absorbed through the sebaceous glands associated with the hair
follicles on the skin’s surface and are passed to the blood vessels. Although
most are eliminated, some remain and stimulate the pituitary gland, which
controls secretions of the various hormones. The effects may include an increase
in appetite and improved blood circulation, an aid in preventing
arteriosclerosis.
Water high in Sodium Sulfate relieves chronic constipation, corpulence and
hypertension. It also improves the functioning of digestive organs. Sodium
Bicarbonate (baking soda) enhances stomach and liver functions. SODIUM CHLORIDE
is not good for those with hypertension, heart disease, renal disease or
swellings. FLUORIDE over I part per million can cause tooth enamel to become
brittle and chip off.
An exact comparison is not available. A general analysis shows many of the same
minerals and compounds. Based on these similarities, many of the conditions
treated by various “health centers” are likely to respond similarly to these
waters. Specific benefits cannot be guaranteed and no specific medical benefits
are promised.
The conditions treated at various European “health centers” or spas include:
articular and spinal disorders of a degenerative nature (hip and knee joints,
deformity, disc problems and lumbago); inactive stages of chronic arthritis;
neuralgia; neurological ailments; aortic stenosis and peripheral circulatory
disorders; post-injury conditions; orthopedic, post-operative and post-accident
rehabilitation; osteoporosis; gout; rheumatism; chronic degenerative locomotor
disorders; post-fracture treatments; chronic skin disorders; muscular
rheumatism; posture disorders; physical exhaustion; nervous system complaints;
and sports injuries.
Geologists believe that these formations have existed for approximately 10,000
years. Paleo-Indian hunters were in the area approximately 8 – 12,000 years
before the present time. It seems inconceivable that these early humans, seeing
the steam rise from the hot pools did not investigate and, in the process, use
the hot water. Apache and other native populations certainly used the water,
probably as early as the mid-thirteenth century. It seems unlikely that early
cultures would not have discovered and used the waters. The first “bath tubs”
were carved into the rock by soldiers after the Civil War. The first “bath
house” was built about 1881.
The Chi-hene (the eastern most band of the Chirichaua Apache) called this area
“Place to Pray” and believed the healing water was a gift from the Great Spirit.
In order not to offend the Great Spirit, there was no fighting and no taking of
game in the vicinity of the springs. Some refer to the waters as “Grandmothers”
and make a conscious effort to connect with the energy surrounding these sites
for emotional, psychological and spiritual transformation. The “healing” that
you find depends upon the consciousness with which you approach your experience
and the depth of your connection to this energy. Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant and parents with infants should consult their preferred health care professional before soaking or allowing infants to soak. Likewise, persons who have severe medical conditions or are taking prescription medication should consult their preferred health care professionals before soaking. People who are managing diabetes should not soak if their blood sugar levels are low. Persons under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs should not soak. Minors will not be allowed to soak except when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
YOU SOAK AT YOUR OWN RISK |
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