Pain Relief

Pain can stem from many sources in our daily lives. Muscle strains can result from heavy lifting, postural problems, exercise and stress, leading to “knots” in your muscles. And, discomfort from arthritis or fibromyalgia can make everyday tasks difficult. But, hydrotherapy from a hot tub can help relieve many of these symptoms.

The best hot tubs for back pain offer 360-degree support for sore limbs, can decrease swelling and inflammation, increase circulation and increase muscle temperature via deep heating, both before and after exercise. By increasing local circulation and reducing muscle tension, targeted hydromassage can relieve lower back pain. Sufferers¹ of fibromyalgia and arthritis² found that hydrotherapy provided relief from multiple discomforts, including pain intensity, stiffness, tiredness and more. And, reduction of symptoms of restless leg syndrome and leg cramps can also be found by massaging the legs with hot water.

Watch how Tim Jitloff, Olympic Alpine Skier and Trace Worthington, 2-time Olympian and U.S. Ski Hall of Famer, share how they use hydrotherapy to relieve pain.

The “secret” of hydrotherapy is really no secret at all. The healing powers of water have been noted in history even back to ancient times. Roman, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, and Egyptian civilizations all used water therapeutically, and even Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for those who were sick.

Currently, water is used as a way to deliver heat to a body in order to ease pain, restore mobility, and increase soft tissue fluidity. Hydrotherapy is a broad term that really refers to using water to regulate body temperature, from using an ice pack on a swollen knee to soaking in a hot tub to relieve an aching back. The temperature change achieved by hydrotherapy results in changes in circulation, reduction in swelling, and diminished pain.

To get the most benefits from hydrotherapy, the Arthritis Foundation suggests the following:

Of course, water has other benefits for the body as well. Most people know that a body needs to be hydrated in order to function properly. According to a Harvard Medical School report, water maintains the function of every system in the body. It also flushes bacteria from the bladder and carries nutrients to the cells. Drinking water is necessary for peak physical performance. It optimizes brainpower and wards off headaches. Proper hydration improves a person’s disposition, protects against diseases, and aids in weight loss.

Since our bodies are up to 60% water, it just makes sense that water is essential for our well-being, inside and out. So keep hydrated to maintain your best physical and mental state, and use hydrotherapy to warm away your pain and keep your body moving.

Locate your local hot tub expert and get tips on choosing your spa when searching for natural pain relief.

¹ Rheumatology (Oxford) 2009 / Epub 2009 Study: Effect of hydrotherapy on quality of life, functional capacity and sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23223696

² Musculoskeletal Care 2013/Epub 2012 The effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22806987