Hot spring therapy: Natural energy repair and autonomic nervous system regulation for hypertension

Breathing

Adjusting breathing is the most crucial aspect of Qigong treatment for hypertension. Whether the breathing is properly adjusted plays a key role in the effectiveness and efficacy of the treatment. The steps of "focusing the mind on the dantian" or "sinking the qi to the dantian" should be performed correctly. To master this crucial step, it is essential to perfectly combine conscious guidance with respiratory movements. The key points are: when breathing, the tip of the tongue should slightly touch the upper palate (do not force it), breathe through the nose, and consciously slow and prolong the exhalation process until you feel the qi sinking to the dantian. Patients should not rush to achieve these sensations when first practicing; instead, they should let it happen naturally to avoid counterproductive results and wasted effort.

Precautions

Before practicing: 1. Rest for 15-30 minutes, stopping work, study, and conscious mental activity, and stabilize your emotions; 2. Loosen buttons, collars, belts, shoelaces, and any overly tight underwear; 3. Avoid being hungry or overly full, and empty your bladder and bowels; 4. Keep warm and avoid excessive heat, and choose a quiet place to practice; 5. Each practice session should not exceed 30 minutes, 1-2 times a day, in the morning or before bed. During practice: 1. Relax: This means being relaxed and not tense, not only in all joints and muscles but also mentally. 2. Be quiet: In addition to the environment, this also means concentrating your mind and eliminating distracting thoughts. 3. Be natural: This means not only natural posture but also natural breathing. 4. Descend: This refers to consciously guiding the Qi downwards, sinking it to the Dantian (lower abdomen) or focusing your mind on the Dantian. 5. Coordinate: This refers to the coordination of posture, breathing, and awareness. Relaxation and quiet are key. After practicing, generally rest quietly for 15 minutes before engaging in daily work, study, life, or mental activities.

Hot Spring Therapy

When undergoing hot spring therapy, for patients with moderate to severe hypertension, certain medications are needed as adjunctive treatment. However, long-term, high-dose use of antihypertensive drugs can place a significant burden on organs (liver, kidneys, etc.). Therefore, continuous hot spring therapy (approximately 3 months) to eventually achieve the target blood pressure level without medication is the fundamental solution.

① The Blood Pressure Lowering Principle of Hot Spring Therapy: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance. After bathing in a hot spring, cardiac output increases. Furthermore, the dilation of blood vessels during the bath reduces peripheral vascular resistance, thus lowering blood pressure. Of course, this refers to a moderate-temperature bath that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The vasodilatory effect of hot spring bathing is primarily due to two factors: the warmth of the hot spring and the vasodilatory properties of its components (especially carbonated and sulfur springs). Additionally, due to the hydrostatic pressure, the pressure on the body disappears after bathing, and the vasodilatory effect is maintained, resulting in a significant blood pressure lowering effect. However, for the elderly, sudden standing or sitting up within 30-60 minutes after bathing can easily lead to low blood pressure. While tap water and saunas provide warmth, they lack the vasodilatory effects of hot spring components, resulting in a less pronounced blood pressure-lowering effect. Furthermore, hot spring bathing affects the autonomic nervous system and water and electrolyte balance. Since moderate-temperature baths are often used for hypertension treatment, the reduction of body water and blood concentration during bathing due to sweating necessitates replenishing 200-300 ml of water afterward.

② Hot Spring Therapy for Hypertension The principle of hot spring therapy for hypertension is to ensure a safe and sustained blood pressure-lowering effect during bathing. Studies on changes in blood pressure and heart rate during hot spring bathing have found that some patients experience a rise in blood pressure during systole due to increased heart rate and cardiac output. However, within 30 minutes to one hour after bathing, blood pressure (especially diastolic blood pressure) remains lower. During hot spring therapy, soaking in hot springs above 42°C for extended periods can cause sympathetic nerve tension and excitation due to the heat, leading to increased blood pressure and blood concentration.

While lukewarm baths (37°C-38°C) are less irritating to the skin and less likely to trigger arrhythmias, and also have a certain blood pressure-lowering effect, making them a good choice, the blood pressure-lowering effect is relatively short-lived because they don't promote a sustained rise in body temperature deep within the body. Long-term research and treatment of hypertension patients using hot spring therapy has found that the most suitable hot spring temperature for hypertensive patients is 39°C-41°C, with a soaking time limited to 5-10 minutes. Furthermore, prolonged bathing and multiple baths within a day can easily cause dehydration and hypermetabolism, which are also not beneficial for hypertensive patients. The bathing method can follow the sequence of 40°C~41°C (5 min) → rest → 40°C~41°C (5 min). For patients with heart disease or those who are fatigued, a half-body bath is recommended. For patients who wish to practice hot spring therapy at home on a daily basis, hot spring powder (bicarbonate) is a good choice. A Japanese hot spring study compared hypertensive patients who did not bathe in 41°C artificial hot spring water (hot spring powder) or tap water for 10 minutes at 8 PM (bedtime 9 PM). The results showed that the patients who did not bathe experienced a gradual decrease in deep body temperature and an average decrease in systolic blood pressure of 7 mmHg. Those who bathed in tap water saw a maximum increase in deep body temperature of 0.3°C, which lasted for 2.5 hours, and an average decrease in systolic blood pressure of 15 mmHg. Those who bathed in artificial hot spring water saw a maximum increase in deep body temperature of 0.4°C, which lasted for 5 hours, and an average decrease in systolic blood pressure of 21 mmHg.

Furthermore, the study also found that artificial hot spring bathing played a role in improving sleep and reducing nocturia. However, due to the quality and effectiveness of hot spring powder, natural hot spring bathing is still recommended for patients who have the means. Regarding the timing of hot spring therapy, bathing in a hot spring before bedtime may trigger symptoms such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction in some patients with hypertension (especially those with severe hypertension). It is recommended to avoid bathing before bedtime (within one hour before falling asleep), or choose a lukewarm bath at 37°C~38°C. For patients with moderate and mild hypertension, hot spring therapy can be used as a substitute for antihypertensive medication taken after meals. Furthermore, because blood viscosity is lower at night and higher in the morning, the increase in blood viscosity is more pronounced after hot spring therapy. Patients who, based on personal preference, take a hot spring bath at temperatures above 42°C may be at risk of cerebral thrombosis due to blood concentration. In any case, hot spring bathing before bedtime should be approached with caution.

Generally, it is recommended to conduct hot spring therapy in the afternoon when the body temperature gradually decreases. In addition, to prolong the warming effect after bathing, it is recommended not to shower and to minimize the exposure of the body to the air, especially avoiding the use of fans, air conditioners, and other similar devices. After bathing, it is essential to replenish fluids with 200 to 300 ml of water. It is also crucial to emphasize that patients with blood pressure above 180/100 mmHg, heart rate above 100 bpm, or those in the acute phase of myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease are prohibited from undergoing hot spring therapy.

Due to its significant and lasting effects and minimal side effects, hot spring therapy for hypertension has received increasing attention in the international medical community in recent years. In practice, after several months (generally 3 months) of hot spring therapy, an increasing number of people have seen their blood pressure return to normal levels and have been able to discontinue medication for a period (usually more than 6 months). However, in the initial stages of therapy, depending on the specific symptoms, appropriate use of antihypertensive medication is still necessary to protect organs and ensure safe blood pressure control.