Arthritis is a common form of joint pain that has been estimated to affect nearly 25% of adults in North America alone. While many people frequently associate arthritis as a condition that only happens to us as we age, there are lots of young adults who also suffer from joint swelling, pain and limited mobility as a result of living with arthritis.
As with any type of muscle, tissue or joint condition, it can be difficult to find effective treatment that relieves symptoms. One treatment which has consistently been recommended for painful arthritis is the use of hot tubs and hydrotherapy. A huge advantage of using hot tubs for arthritis treatment is that taking a soak has no negative side effects, unlike common prescription medications used to treat troublesome symptoms.
In the article below, we will have a peek at how arthritis pain can be helped using a hot tub.
The Way Hot Tubs Assist Arthritis
Hydrotherapy, which is the use of water to treat pain, diseases and enhance our overall health has existed for thousands of years in many cultures. Just soaking in the warm water of a hot tub can help relieve joint stiffness as well as provide a suitable environment for stretching or even exercising.
A hot tub’s warm water increases the circulation in our body and the water’s buoyancy makes our body to feel almost weightless, which removes pressure from our joints and muscles. With a Hydropool hot tub, our advanced water jet system and custom hydrotherapy massage programs can be used to target specific areas of the body which are suffering from the symptoms of arthritis.
Other Hydrotherapy Benefits?
Besides arthritis, hydrotherapy has been proven to treat numerous different conditions and ailments. People who suffer with joint pain, recovering from sports injuries, have difficulty sleeping or are subject to signs of anxiety have successfully used hot tubs and hydrotherapy to help alleviate their conditions.
Hot Tub Exercises for Arthritis
Spending some time soaking in a hot tub won’t just help take away muscle aches and pains but will loosen the joints and allow for greater mobility. The warm temperature and water buoyancy create the perfect environment for those that suffer from arthritis to perform gentle exercises and stretches to improve flexibility and tone muscles.
Many individuals that suffer from arthritis report that the mornings tend to be particularly problematic. Taking a dip in a hot tub immediately after waking up is a helpful way to ease stiff joints and soothe sore muscles before starting the day.
There are a number of exercises that are recommended for individuals with arthritis that can be carried out in a hot tub. These include deep water walking, bicycle kicks, leg lifts and leg curls. If you discover it hard at first to keep your balance, you may use a floatation belt for exercises such as water walking and hold on the side of the hot tub when doing leg movements.
It’s important to keep in mind that you should consult your primary healthcare provider before starting a new exercise regimen.
To learn more about how hydrotherapy massage can help you, download a hot tub buyer’s guide.