Warm water therapy, also known as hydrotherapy, offers a variety of health benefits. The first and most obvious of these is stress relief. Warm water induces the body to release endorphins that naturally reduce stress. This reduction in stress also promotes deeper and more restful sleep. Also, soaking in warm water also dilates blood vessels which can help relieve and prevent headaches. The increased blood circulation can also help repair damage to joints and muscles, hence its prominent use among professional athletes.

Hydrotherapy is also a way to relieve the pain caused by arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation recommends this method, and has even teamed with spa manufacturers to create spas specifically designed for this purpose.

Spas can also be used to treat problems associated with blood circulation, including diabetes and high blood pressure. A Colorado study found that diabetes patients who soaked in a spa 30 minutes a day six days a week lowered their blood sugar levels 13%. Spas have also been used to treat scoliosis and bursitis, depression, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, even multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.

Overall, hydrotherapy has been shown in studies to relieve a number of muscle, joint and blood circulation problems by relaxing muscles, lowering blood pressure and loosening joints.