Low back pain and hydrotherapy with IR: How infrared therapy can temporarily ease LBP

12 Minute Read

Millions of people around the world deal with low back pain (LBP) on an ongoing basis. However, there is good news: hydrotherapy, specifically with the added benefits of infrared and red light therapy, has been shown to help temporarily relieve symptoms of LBP.

This article is designed to help you understand low back pain, including what it is and how it affects people. It will also introduce you to one pain management method: hydrotherapy with the combination of infrared and red light. This is actually exclusive to Jacuzzi® hot tubs with Infrared and Red Light therapy. As you read on, you will learn more about this innovation and how it may help you live well with low back pain.

What is low back pain?

Low back pain is one of the most common health challenges worldwide. It refers to pain or discomfort located between the bottom of your rib cage and the top of your hips. Sometimes the pain feels like a dull, constant ache. Other times, it may present as sharp, stabbing, or even radiating discomfort that makes everyday activities like bending, sitting, or walking more difficult.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), low back pain is a leading cause of disability globally. In fact, nearly everyone experiences it at some point in life. While many cases resolve within a few weeks, it often recurs, and for some people, it becomes a chronic condition that needs ongoing management rather than a quick fix.

Causes of low back pain

There isn’t always a single cause of low back pain, which can make it frustrating to manage. Instead, it often results from a mix of factors that affect the muscles, joints, ligaments, or nerves in your back.

Muscle or ligament strain: Something as simple as lifting a heavy box improperly or twisting suddenly can cause the muscles and ligaments to stretch or tear, leading to acute pain.
Bulging or herniated discs: The discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine can shift or rupture, pressing on nearby nerves and creating sharp or radiating pain.
Arthritis and degeneration: As you age, your spine undergoes wear and tear. Conditions like osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease can cause stiffness, reduced flexibility, and persistent pain.
Poor posture and lifestyle factors: Sitting for long periods, slouching over a computer, or carrying extra weight can all strain your lower back.
Underlying medical conditions: While less common, infections, inflammatory diseases, or osteoporosis-related fractures may also contribute to back pain.

The Mayo Clinic notes that most back pain is non-specific, meaning doctors cannot always pinpoint an exact cause. However, even without a clear diagnosis, you still have many tools to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Symptoms you might experience

Low back pain doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it comes and goes, while for others, it becomes a daily companion. Symptoms may include:

Localized pain: A persistent ache or soreness in your lower back.
Sharp or stabbing pain: Especially when lifting, bending, or twisting.
Pain that radiates: If nerves are affected, you may feel pain that travels into your legs or buttocks, sometimes described as sciatica.
Numbness, tingling, or weakness: This can signal nerve involvement and may require prompt medical attention.
Limited mobility: Stiffness can make it hard to stand up straight, exercise, or even move comfortably around your home.

The Cleveland Clinic emphasizes that if your back pain persists for more than a few weeks, worsens at night, or is accompanied by symptoms like fever, unexplained weight loss, or severe weakness, you should seek medical evaluation.

Why water therapy is so effective: How hydrotherapy with infrared and red light can help with low back pain

Hydrotherapy—using warm water as a therapeutic tool—has long been valued for its healing qualities. When you immerse yourself in water, buoyancy takes pressure off your joints and spine. This reduction in gravitational load gives your back a chance to relax while you move more freely.

The warmth of the water also helps your muscles release tension. Heat encourages blood vessels to expand, improving circulation and delivering oxygen and nutrients to tired or injured tissues. This can reduce stiffness, ease muscle spasms, and support natural healing.

Studies have shown that aquatic therapy can significantly reduce pain intensity and disability levels in people with chronic low back pain. Participants often report improved mobility, a better ability to perform daily activities, and even enhanced mental well-being after consistent hydrotherapy sessions. Hydrotherapy provides both physical and emotional relief, making it a powerful tool for managing low back pain.

The power of infrared heat: Elevating relief with infrared and red light therapy

Infrared therapy takes traditional heat therapy a step further. Instead of simply warming the air or surface of your skin, infrared light penetrates deeper into your tissues. This gentle internal warmth can relax muscles, improve circulation, and support recovery from musculoskeletal pain.

The Mayo Clinic notes that heat therapy is often recommended for muscle-related back pain because it helps reduce stiffness and improves flexibility. Infrared heat adds another layer by reaching deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.

Red light therapy for cellular health

Red light therapy works at the cellular level. By delivering specific wavelengths of light, it encourages your cells to produce more energy, which can enhance tissue repair and reduce inflammation. Research suggests it may support collagen production, improve circulation, and accelerate healing in muscles and joints.

When combined with infrared, red light therapy offers a powerful duo: the soothing warmth of IR plus the cellular rejuvenation of red wavelengths.

Jacuzzi® hot tubs with Infrared and Red Light therapy

This is where a Jacuzzi® hot tub becomes more than just a place to relax. The Jacuzzi® brand integrates advanced infrared and red light therapy into its hydrotherapy systems, giving you a layered wellness experience, if only temporarily. Jacuzzi® hot tubs with Infrared and Red Light therapy are specifically designed to address low back pain through the following:

Hydromassage—Jet pressure delivers varied massage through surface contact
Red Light—Specialized deep red light reaches surface tissue and cells
Near Infrared—Positioned to target deep tissue within the lumbar region of the lower back

Low back pain, hydrotherapy, infrared and red light therapy

Furthermore, this combination of heat, buoyancy, and soothing light therapy creates a calming environment that helps you release tension and reset your mind. The rejuvenating powers of Infrared and Red Light therapy work together, deep beneath your skin’s surface, to temporarily relieve pain and improve your range of motions while helping you achieve a state of tranquility and mindfulness... Ultimately, making dealing with your low back pain a little more bearable.

And while it won’t “cure” low back pain, regular sessions in your Jacuzzi® hot tub can make living with discomfort more manageable—allowing you to engage in daily life with greater ease.

Living well with low back pain

The reality is that low back pain is often ongoing. While medical treatments, exercise, and lifestyle changes play a role, having supportive tools at home can transform how you cope day to day.

Incorporating a Jacuzzi® hot tub with Infrared and Red Light therapy into your wellness routine means you’re addressing back pain on multiple levels: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Over time, these sessions may help reduce flare-ups, improve your flexibility, and enhance your quality of life. While using a hot tub is not designed to cure any specific chronic ailment, it can help you relax and live well with low back pain.

A Jacuzzi® hot tub with Infrared and Red Light therapy is more than just a luxury—it’s a long-term investment in your well-being. The combination of warm water, buoyancy, infrared heat, and red light therapy provides an immersive environment designed to help you live better with ongoing back discomfort.

Low back pain is a challenge that touches nearly everyone at some point in life. Its causes are varied, and while it may not always be preventable, you have powerful tools at your disposal to manage it.

Hydrotherapy, supported by decades of use and modern research, offers gentle yet effective relief. Add the advanced benefits of infrared and red light therapy, and you elevate your wellness routine to a new level.

By choosing a Jacuzzi® hot tub with Infrared and Red Light therapy, you create a personal space where relaxation, recovery, and resilience come together. It may not erase your pain completely, but it can help you live well with it—providing daily comfort, supporting muscle recovery, and offering a sanctuary where your body and mind can truly rest.

Jacuzzi® hot tubs that either come standard with Infrared and Red Light therapy or can include it as an upgraded feature, include stunning, high-performing luxury models in the Jacuzzi® J-LX® collection (standard), the Jacuzzi® J-400™ collection (standard), and the Jacuzzi® J-300™ collection (optional upgrade)

In the end, living with low back pain isn’t just about coping—it’s about finding ways to thrive. And with Jacuzzi® hot tubs, you can enjoy increased wellness that brings advanced science and everyday luxury together, right in the comfort of your own home.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with questions regarding any medical condition.

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