Can A Hot Tub Help With Arthritis Pain
It a well known fact that hot tubs help in de-stressing and relaxing the body. Nothing is more calming than ending a busy day with a soothing soak in your hot tub. However, what is not commonly known is that hot tubs are also extremely beneficial in terms of medical relief for many patients. This leads us to ask, is a hot tub good for arthritis? Read on to learn why experts say yes!
Before we dive into how hot tubs can help with arthritis pain, lets first take a look at what arthritis is.
Combine A Hot Bath With Stretch
Stretching is not as therapeutically useful as most people imagine, but it certainly can feel great, and its probably not entirely useless. Stretching might be modestly effective for relieving muscular aches and pains, possibly because it meaningfully changes tissue, but more likely because its a pleasant sensory input, like scratching an itch. Its not exactly guaranteed to work miracles lots of people fail to treat this kind of pain just by stretching. But doing it in a hot bath probably improves your odds, for a variety of possible reasons:
- Baseline muscle tone drops when youre happy and warm.
- The bath softens connective tissue through thixotropic effect, very much like softening plastic with heat.
- It might ease the neurological vicious cycle that powers trigger points. More on this topic below.
- Extensive evidence suggests that increases in flexibility from stretching are the result of reduction of inhibition, not a change in the physical condition of tissue. But the heat of the bath is probably helpful either way.
- The buoyancy of the bath makes some stretches physically easier and more relaxing.
If youre going to stretch, then stretch in the bath.
Quite a Stretch Stretching science has shown that this extremely popular form of exercise has almost no measurable benefits.
Winnie-the-Pooh. This is an illustration from the original 1926 book, which finally entered the public domain in 2022.
Dont Bother With Epsom Salts
Another common idea for bathing is that Epsom salts assist with detoxification and recovery from minor injuries, aches, and pain. Do they?
No, probably not. Some recent scientific evidence has shown that Epsom salts do indeed soak through the skin when you bathe in them which is actually a bit biologically surprising, and had never been proven before. And, meanwhile, other evidence pretty strongly suggests just the opposite.
Unfortunately, even if Epsom salts do soak through the skin, there is no direct scientific evidence whatsoever about what happens to them after that and its not really plausible that they treat pain. Theres no chemistry involved that seems to have anything to do with common pain problems.
People certainly think theres a therapeutic effect, but unfortunately thats no way to judge the matter people think all kinds of things, and in this case it would be very easy to mistake the benefits of the heat for an effect of the salt. For a surprisingly detailed discussion, see:
Does Epsom Salt Work? The science and mythology of Epsom salt bathing for recovery from muscle pain, soreness, or injury.
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How To Benefit From Your Hot Tub Session
Whether you use your own hot tub or one that belongs to a gym or community, check to make sure the tub is clean and properly maintained. The water should be cleaned and tested regularly. A poorly maintained hot tub can lead to a skin infection called hot tub folliculitis.
Movies, television, and even social media often depict people lounging in a hot tub for hours on end with a cocktail in their hand. This isnt ideal or safe. Heres how to go about your hot tub soak to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks:
- Avoid very hot water. Make sure the water isnt too hot, with an absolute maximum of 104°F .
- Stay hydrated. Hot tubs make you sweat and leave you dehydrated. Drink water plenty of water, but avoid alcohol before or during your soak.
- Limit your time in the tub. Dont stay in too long, especially if youre not used to it. At the maximum temperature, set your limit at 10 to 15 minutes. You can stay in for longer at a lower temperature if youre used to it. Signs that you need to get out right away include:
- lightheadedness, dizziness
- skin redness
- shortness of breath
Finding The Perfect Hot Tub
While there are many quality hot tubs on the market that offer the massage and jet features youll want to help relieve low back pain, there are other factors to consider as well before making a final decision. Consider how you will use your hot tub. Do you have a large family or do you plan to host frequent social events? In those situations, youll probably want to look at one of the larger models. If you intend to use your Apache Junction hot tub primarily by yourself or with one other person, you probably wont need many extra seats.
Youll also want to examine other features, such as wireless audio, a Bluetooth system, or television monitors, as well as overall tub shape and appearance. Taking these facts into consideration will help you round out your hot tub experience for the ultimate relaxation and enjoyment. Be sure to take a test soak before making your final decision. Its important to experience a hot tubs massage jets firsthand.
Choosing the right hot tub will bring enjoyment every day as it works to relieve stress and muscle tension. Targeted jets can work directly on painful muscle groups, bringing relaxation and healing massage.
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Hot Tub Therapy For Neck And Shoulder Pain Caused By Technology Use
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Technology has become so ingrained in our daily lives that for some, its starting to take its toll on their physical health. If youre like many people, you spend hours a day hunched over laptops, tablets and other devices with your shoulders rolled forward, straining your eyes and muscles to get closer to those all-engrossing screens. Between a hunched posture and the mental stress of work and daily life, tension can build up day after day and result in near-constant aches and pains. Even slight discomfort can make it difficult to sleep and discourage you from healthy physical activity. So, its important to find relief from technology-induced pain. One possible source of relief is a hot tub. Hot tubs can provide therapeutic relief through the transformative power of hydrotherapy. Discover how you can use your hot tub to alleviate discomfort and improve your overall well-being.
How Hot Tubs Help Relieve Back Pain
Heating pads and hot packs are a great way to treat muscle pain, but a better way is to take a hot bath, and an even better way is to sit in a hot tub.
Heat does some pretty great things for back pain sufferers:
- It relaxes muscles, thereby reducing muscle spasms.
- It dilates blood vessels, which increases blood flow and promotes healing.
- It alters pain sensation.
Sitting in a hot tub adds some additional relief:
- It causes the body to release endorphins.
- It promotes restorative sleep.
Hot tubs are so good at relieving back pain that in some states will eliminate sales tax on hot tub purchases made with a doctor’s note.
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Dont Make It Crazy Hot
A hot bath is liquid psychotherapy. It is peaceful and soothing. Chances are, once youve started a bath, you feel insulated from your troubles you know youll have to pay attention to them soon enough, but not just now.
But superheated baths actually get your nervous system revved up, and the relaxation is a bit of an illusion. The ritual, though, is safe and soothing. The heat dominates your awareness and forces out other thoughts. Youre sluggish while your body temperature drifts back to normal, and you recover from the wet-noodle exhaustion. It is a type of relaxation.
But youre also on fire neurologically, and out of whack homeostatically. Your system is turbulent, like boiling water. Many people cannot sleep well after a piping hot bath. Its a particularly bad idea for insomniacs to have hot baths late in the evening.
The most relaxing baths are not quite piping hot. If you are bathing for sedation or specifically to help you sleep, keep the temperature easy.
Of course, some like it hot
Ice To Bring Lower Back Pain Relief
Ice is the preferred treatment for acute injury to help with lower back pain relief.
You probably have what you need around the house to self-treat. A plastic bag with ice and some water or even a bag of frozen peas or corn can do the trick .
You want to do this with some precautions.
Just remember C.B.A.N. When you use the cold treatment it should feel Cold. Then is will begin to feel like a Burn. Then the cold will Ache. Just when the area goes Numb, you should get more relief and its time to stop the ice treatment.
Wait for the area to thaw for the remainder of the hour and repeat.
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Muscle Inflammation Soreness And Stiffness
Pain and inflammation leading to soreness and stiffness can also be remedied by the soothing water immersion made possible by hot tubs. Water immersion and buoyancy relieve the gravity and pressure placed on joints, supporting your entire body and limbs from 360 degrees. Not only does hot water therapy benefit lower back pain, but hot tubs also protect your overall health and even your wallet. You can reduce your reliance on expensive anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, which may also have negative side effects. The benefits of hot water to muscles and joints are substantial. Immersion in hot water increases blood circulation to your muscles which helps heal bone, muscle, joint, and connective tissue injuries. This is important for your back because a large and complex group of muscles work together to support your spine and hold your body upright. Water immersion helps keeps your back and spine loose as you move and rotate. Mark B., a Bullfrog Spa owner, said, I have lower back problems, and using this tub is the only way I survive!
Can A Hot Tub Cause Back Pain
Sufferers of chronic back pain can be apprehensive when it comes to trying new treatments, or methods of pain relief. The biggest fear many individuals have is that by changing their usual pain relief routine may in fact make their symptoms worse. Some back pain sufferers have wondered if using a hot tub can provide therapeutic benefits to ease the pain, but may be hesitant to try soaking if they have heard rumours that a hot tub can cause back pain. This is far from the truth. In fact, hot tubs are incredibly beneficial in relieving pain, encouraging blood flow and boosting circulation.
Here are some of the ways soaking in a hot tub can help ease your back pain.
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What To Consider When Investing In A Hot Tub For Back Pain
In order to achieve optimum benefits when investing in a hot tub for back pain, it is important to choose your model wisely. Youll need to consider, for example, the likes of how many massage jets the tub is fitted with, its seating configuration, and whether the tub is designed with hydrotherapy in mind.
Not all hot tubs are created equal. Some are designed more for leisure and social use rather than for health and well-being. What you need, if you are looking to reap the benefits of hot tub therapy for back pain, is a tub that is ergonomically designed and that promotes natural buoyancy.
Relax The Back With These Hot Tub Stretches
Recent studies confirm that after a month of using your hot tub for therapeutic reasons, participants found to be in less pain, more flexible, and improved circulation to the muscles. It is never too late to begin to heal with these top hot tub stretches for lower back pain.
To learn more about how you can alleviate lower back pain through hot tub use and stretches, Contact Us.
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Are Hot Tubs Bad For Your Back
Not only does hot water therapy benefit lower back pain, but hot tubs also protect your overall health and even your wallet. You can reduce your reliance on expensive anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, which may also have negative side effects. The benefits of hot water to muscles and joints are substantial.
Why Hot Tubs Are Good For Back Pain
Hot tubs in Los Angeles are becoming more and more popular. And there is a reason behind that. Many of us dream of the hot tub as a place to relax after a hard day. However, not everyone knows that hot tubs also have a beneficial effect on our health. Taking a warm bath restores our strength and energy. Moreover, it reduces chronic back pain and allows us to become healthy and flexible. So why hot tubs are good for back pain?
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Do Hot Tubs Help Injuries
Hydrotherapy benefits after an injury. In addition to mild aches and daily stress, hot tub hydrotherapy can aid recovery from a variety of painful injuries. It can make the healing process easier to endure, and may reduce the likelihood of deconditioning, a process of physical or mental decline due to inactivity.
The Best Hot Tub Stretches For Back Pain
If youre one of the 65 million Americans suffering from occasional or chronic back pain, the cure for what ails you could be found right in your back yard. Hot tub therapy, or hydrotherapy, has been found to be a very effective treatment for back pain. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation describes hydrotherapy as one of the most successful ways to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and low back pain. Lets take a closer look at some of the best and most effective stretches for back pain that can be done in your hot tub.
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Why Stretch In Your Spa
No matter what is causing your back to hurt, stretching in your hot tub can bring some relief, particularly when done on a regular basis.
Underwater stretching is very effective because the buoyancy of the water gives you a wider range of motion, allowing you to stretch much more effectively than youd be able to on land. In the water, your body bears only 20 percent of its weight, making stretching and balancing far easier.
Moist Heat Therapy And A Healing Spa For Arthritis
For the best moist heat therapy you can receive, we recommend our Healing Spa. The first hot tub to ever be designed specifically for helping relieve arthritis pain.
What makes our Healing Spa different from other hot tubs is the advanced mobility options and therapeutic features. We consulted the non-profit Arthritis Foundation to help learn about the difficulties of arthritis and what could be done to improve a hot tub and make it specific for arthritis patients. The result was a complete redesign of our hot tubs to service those with arthritis.
Our therapeutic features include max-comfort pillows to relax the head while the rest of the body soaks in the warm water of the tub. Underneath, a wide array of jets provide a steady stream of warm water that will massage the muscles while providing the warm water to relieve pains. The seats are shaped to easily fit the contours of the back to massage each muscle comfortably.
Our Healing Spa is so helpful to arthritis patients, that Thermospas even received the Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. Denis Bowman, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communication for the Arthritis Foundation has said,
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Hot Tubs & Arthritis: Are They Effective For Joint Pain & Stiffness
Skovish Pools & Spas
Hot tubs are good for lots of reasons. They help you to relax and can help you handle stress better. They can also help you recover from injury. They represent a great focal point for romance for you and your partner. They can even help you recharge and prepare for the next day.
But are hot tubs good for osteoarthritis? Are hot tubs good for psoriatic arthritis? Here is some information for you on how hot tubs can work to ease your joint pain.
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Hot Tubs Are One Of The Most Effective Ways To Reduce Back Pain
Suffering from lower back pain is frustrating, inconvenient, and often debilitating. Pain in your lower back can make simple daily tasks, such as getting out of bed in the morning, very difficult. Working, playing with your kids, or enjoying a day out with your family can be next to impossible when every moment is filled with overwhelming pain.
One very beneficial way to potentially reduce the pain you feel in your lower back is to use a hot tub regularly. The combination of moist warmth, buoyancy, and massage jets encourage muscles to relax, which can provide significant pain relief to tight lower back muscles. The most effective way to use a Mesa hot tub or swim spa to help relieve lower back pain is to take 20 minute soaks every day.
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