Hot Tub Health Benefits
Hot Tubs…when you think relaxation
Hot Tubs offer many benefits. You don’t need a research study to understand the health benefits of a good soak in a spa.
Headaches, Stress, and Sleep
A hot tub can stimulate the release of our stress-reducing endorphins. A hot tub’s hydrotherapy jets also dilate blood vessels to help prevent headaches. And when it comes to falling asleep faster and getting a deep night’s sleep, the National Sleep Foundation clearly states, “soaking in hot water, such as a hot tub or bath, before retiring to bed can ease the transition into a deeper sleep.”
Muscles and Joints
Ask any athlete in training – Hydrotherapy is a staple in the training room. One magazine article in Tennis Magazine said it best: “Your skin and muscles loosen and relax from the increased blood circulation” adding that, if muscles are injured: “Soaking in a hot tub with a whirlpool increases blood flow to the injured area, bringing nutrients to help repair the damage.”
Arthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Hydrotherapy is one method of using water to help treat arthritis. The soothing warmth and buoyancy of the water make it a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis pain. Using a spa adds another component to the therapy – massage.”
Blood Sugar
One study taken in Colorado has shown that people suffering from type 2 diabetes have significantly brought their blood sugar down by regularly soaking in a hot tub for 15 to 30 minutes each day. Doctors who conducted the study speculated benefits of hot tub therapy could be due to increased blood flow to skeletal muscles. To keep your good health, there are certain things you should know about maintaining the proper water temperature in your hot tub. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends never allowing the temperature of the water in your hot tub to exceed 104ºF. Water temperatures over 110ºF have caused a number of deaths, according to their findings. They cite that high water temperatures can cause drowsiness to occur which may lead to unconsciousness and drowning.
The hot water will raise your body temperature, and thus your blood pressure, which may lead to heat stroke and death. They advise against pregnant women (since excessive water temperatures have a high potential for causing fetal damage during the early months of pregnancy) and young children (since their bodies do not get used to temperature changes as easily as adults do) using hot tubs before consulting a physician. Individuals suffering from obesity or having a medical history of heart disease, low or high blood pressure, circulatory system problems, or diabetes should also consult a physician before using a hot tub.
Aside from these comments, many hot tub manufacturers recommend never drinking alcoholic beverages before, during, and/or after soaking in a hot tub. Alcohol expands your blood vessels and increases your body temperature. So does your hot tub! The combined effect may raise your body temperature too much, leading to a stroke or heart attack. It may also cause dizziness, nausea, and/or light-headedness leading to unconsciousness and potential drowning or a slipping accident. This argument holds true for certain medications/narcotics that raise the blood pressure of body temperature.
Different people have different tolerances towards water temperature. Some find the water is not hot enough if it is set below 100º F. Others prefer the water to be cooler. Also, the outdoor air temperature is a factor to consider when determining the right water temperature.
Other things to consider to maintain water temperature level:
An air (bubble) blower will cool down the water temperature
Removing the insulated cover, causes the water temperature to drop at a slow, gradual pace
Adding cold water will also cool the temperature down
More people in the hot tub will decrease the temperature slightly
Turning the thermostat dial to a different temperature setting will also adjust the temperature
Another study showed that soaking in a hot tub simulates exercising! The idea is that the hot water raises your body temperature increasing your blood flow in much the same way as exercising. Soaking in a hot tub prior to exercising is a great way to warm up and condition muscles for work. The National Sleep Foundation has shown that a short soak prior to going to bed can ease the transition into a deeper, more restful sleep. This is also accomplished by altering your body’s temperature. Other studies in various medical journals have shown the benefits of soaking in hot water in lowering back pain, relieving stress, reducing body pain, relieving fatigue, lowering body weight, and aiding digestion.
Of course, talk to your doctor if you have questions. Apart from the health benefits of soaking in a hot tub, an important reason to soak is enjoyment!
