Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis Pain of the Thumb Can Be Relieved by Commercial Beverage Carbonated Water

Figure 3

Blood flow in the capillary network in carbonated water immersion. Blood flow to the capillary network is regulated by the alternating contraction and relaxation of the anterior capillary sphincter. With a closed anterior capillary sphincter, massage or bathing to promote blood flow is unlikely to eliminate inflammatory chemical mediators (a). In a carbonated water bath, the anterior capillary sphincter muscles relax in all areas where percutaneous CO₂ reaches, thus causing smooth muscle relaxation. Therefore, metabolites and inflammatory substances can be efficiently removed, and excellent muscle fatigue recovery and pain relief can be expected (b).

(a)

(b)