With the Japanese archipelago sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire volcanic area, there are geothermal spring systems (Onsen) throughout the country.
Bathing in an Onsen is beneficial to health for two main reasons:
- The benefits of passively heating the body
- Being exposed to the properties of the water
1. Deep-soaking bathing has thermotherapeutic effects (a higher body temperature stretches capillaries improving circulation, increasing metabolism, and reducing fatigue), water pressure effects (improving the flow of your blood and lymph fluid), and buoyancy effects. The latter, by reducing the body’s weight to one-tenth of what it normally is, allows muscles and joints to rest, enabling tensions in the body to dissipate.
Studies have found that passive heating can induce numerous health benefits, such as improvements to cardiorespiratory fitness, vascular health, glycemic control, and chronic low-grade inflammation.
2. The properties of the water divide into:
- Alkalinity,
- Other minerals present
For a detailed examination of both factors, please see the 7-page background paper here.