Arthritis, which most of us understand to be an inflammation of a joint or joints, resulting in pain and swelling, is actually the name for a family of over a hundred separate diseases.  These include: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and lupus.  By some estimates, one out of every three families has someone who suffers from this condition.

As stated in their article: Arthritis – Spas & Warm Water Exercise published by the Arthritis Foundation,

“people whose arthritis symptoms respond well to heat have discovered the many benefits of heat therapy.”

If you suffer from arthritis, you will need to consult with your doctor on the treatment regimen that is best for you.  This is because there are several safe and effective ways to minimize loss of motion and the associated pain.  Your doctor may recommend exercise, use of warm water and heat, use of cold, or other treatments.  Some may be right for you, and others may not.  That is why it is so important for your doctor to be involved closely in your treatment.

In a home spa, the buoyancy of its warm water hydrotherapy make it a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis symptoms including stiffness and the associated pain while improving the range of motion.

Warm water exercise is one method of hydrotherapy which is more gentle to joints and muscles.  This is because the water supports the weight and lessens stress on them to encourage free movement.  It also provides a level of resistance to assist in re-building muscle strength. Using a spa adds a third component to the therapy which is massage. A hot tub’s jets release a mixture of air and warm water, relaxing and massaging your body. The Arthritis Foundation has published articles on the subject of hot tubs, hydrotherapy and exercise.  Speak with your physician and find out if hot water exercise or hydrotherapy is right for you.

Stress is one of the most common causes of sleeplessness, and soaking in a hot tub is one of the best ways to relieve stress. Studies have found that immersion in warm water before bedtime can ease the transition into a deeper, more restful sleep. This may happen because the body’s core temperature drops after leaving the water, which the brain may interpret as a cue for sleep. Or perhaps people sleep better after hot tubbing because buoyancy reduces body weight, relieving pressure on joints and muscles, creating a total physical relaxation that translates to emotional relaxation, aiding sleep. Even the National Sleep Foundation recommends soaking in a hot bath or hot tub as part of a regular, relaxing, healthy bedtime routine.