Beyond just a relaxing soak, hot tubs can relieve the symptoms of stress, arthritis, sleeplessness and lower-back pain.
The Power of Hydromassage
Hydrotherapy has a range of health benefits. The heat itself promotes circulation and speeds up removal of lactic acid, while the buoyancy of the water lifts the effects of gravity and takes the pressure off joints for pain relief.
Hydrotherapy and hydromassage can be used to relieve the symptoms of a multitude of maladies including stress, arthritis, sleeplessness, fibromyalgia, lower-back pain, post-exercise soreness, and leg cramps/restless legs syndrome. While most people associate hot tubs and swim spas with fitness and recovery, research supports the benefits of hydrotherapy for many conditions. Here’s a closer look at these afflictions and how Jacuzzi® hydrotherapy can alleviate their harmful effects:
Stress
Stress can originate from any number of life’s facets, including money, work, family, and health. And according to a report by the Mayo Clinic, the long-term activation of the stress-response system can disrupt almost all of your body’s natural processes and put you at increased risk for numerous health problems. But just 10 minutes in a spa or hot tub each day can dissolve stress and relieve headaches by increasing blood flow and soothing muscles.
Lower Back Pain
In a 2012 survey conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association, nearly two out of every three Americans admitted to dealing with discomfort in their lower backs at one point or another. With so many individuals afflicted by this pain, it’s no wonder that the “Journal of Musculoskeletal Research” stated that hydrotherapy offers more potential benefits for those with lower-back pain, in comparison to land-based forms of exercise.
Sleeplessness
If you suffer from bouts of sleeplessness, some time in a spa or hot tub can send you to snoozeville in no time at all. According to the Better Sleep Council, immersing your body in warm water helps create healthy sleep habits by relieving tension and stimulating circulation. Plus, when your body is cooling down after a hot tub session, your brain receives subconscious messages suggesting that you sleep.
Post-exercise Stress
Spending time in the gym can work wonders for your body, but sore muscles the day following an intense session can make movement difficult. That’s why strength and performance coach Jason Lindsay recommends hydrotherapy for every athlete. “From the professional athlete to the college athlete to your weekend warrior one of the most overlooked aspects of a training program for an athlete is recovery,” explains Lindsay. “We recommend hot Epsom salt baths and submerging the body in water.”
Restless Leg Syndrome and Stress
Though there remains uncertainty as to the cause behind the unpleasant sensation that millions of people experience in their thighs, calves, and feet, one likely factor is that brain misfires signals to sensory nerves in the lower extremities. Relaxing in a spa or hot tub prior to sleeping can diminish those feelings while putting your muscles at ease.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that stiffens joints and causes pain for roughly 350 million people on the planet. Heated hydrotherapy, however, has been proven to reduce pain levels in those with arthritis by opening blood vessels, increasing range of movement, and promoting muscle growth.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects the entire body in myriad ways. The disorder is often associated with sweeping musculoskeletal discomfort, but can also negatively impact the mood, energy level, and sleep habits of those coping with it. The Mayo Clinic notes that warm water is effective in treating fibromyalgia, due to its ability to foster relaxation and mitigate muscle tension.