There are many different ways that a hot tub can be used. Some people use their hot tub as a quiet and serene place where they can relax and meditate. Others prefer to use it as a social gathering place for friends and family and yet others use their hot tub as part of a physical wellness program. Those who are using their hot tubs to provide pain relief are often suffering from the symptoms of inflammation. If you’re asking the question, “How do hot tubs fight inflammation,” we’ve put together this informative list to help answer that question.
What Is Inflammation?
Simply speaking, inflammation is an immune system reaction. This reaction could be caused by injury, disease, overwork or other attacks on the body. The main symptoms of inflammation include swelling, reddening of the skin, warmth of the affected area or joint pain and stiffness. More serious symptoms can include tiredness, headaches, fever, chills and loss of appetite. Inflammation can be acute (short term) or chronic (long-lasting.) Acute inflammation is often caused by injury or infection, whereas chronic inflammation is often the result of disease.
How Can Using A Hot Tub Help Inflammation?
Inflammation can be eased through hot tub use because of the traits exhibited by the water. Buoyancy, heat and massage that occur when soaking in a hot tub cause physical and physiological changes to the body that can mitigate the symptoms of inflammation. Listed below are some of the ways in which spending time in a hot tub can help combat inflammation.
Water Buoyancy
Water pressure creates buoyancy which reduces the forces of gravity on the body. For those with bone and joint pain, this can be a source of great relief. Diminishing the pressure felt by the parts of the body that are inflamed reduces friction which exacerbates inflammation. This also gives the body a chance to repair itself. Buoyancy can also restore mobility and range of motion and allow the sufferer to perform exercises that can help reduce inflammation.
Massage
The jets in the hot tub manipulate the body which helps improve blood flow. Increased blood flow bathes inflamed tissues in plasma that’s rich in constituents that promote healing and repair. Damaged cells and waste products are flushed away while new cell growth is stimulated and tissues are allowed to revivify. Massage is also effective in increasing the production and distribution of pain-relieving hormones.
Heat
The heat provided by the water is a natural muscle relaxant that relieves pressure on bones, tendons and ligaments. It also stimulates pain-relieving and pleasure-causing hormones which can help desensitize the sufferer to the pain they’re experiencing due to inflammation. Heat calms sensitive nerves and slows down the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The body’s metabolism is boosted which provides extra energy for cellular repair processes. As the internal body temperature rises, blood flow is increased and inflamed tissues have more access to oxygen, nutrients and other components which are part of the healing process.
Sleep
Sleep is known to be important in allowing the body to recuperate. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, has been found to increase inflammation in the body and impair the body’s ability to heal itself and fight infections. Soaking in a hot tub causes changes in body temperature that mimics the part of the circadian rhythm that induces sleep. Some time spent in a hot tub before bed can bring on sleep faster and produce a longer, more undisturbed rest. The healthier sleeping patterns that result can help reduce inflammation.
With these examples of how hot tubs can fight inflammation, you may be looking for more information. Download a free hot tub buyer’s guide here.