If you’re looking for a way to ease back pain naturally, a hot tub could be just what the doctor ordered.
The soothing power of hot tubs for back pain is unmistakable. They provide a relaxing retreat to combat aches and pains and promote muscle relief right in your own backyard.
Curious how hot tubs can help support your well-being and banish back pain when included in your self-care routine?
Read on!
Who Can Benefit From Hydrotherapy?
No matter why your back hurts, hydrotherapy can bring a lot of relief. Also known as water immersion, hydrotherapy is a practice that’s been used for healing for thousands of years.
In fact, the Arthritis Foundation bills it as one of the best ways to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain.
With chronic pain affecting millions of adults throughout the country, it’s no shock hot tubs have become popular healing havens in backyards everywhere.
While hot tubs offer welcome relief to anyone who sinks into their warm depths, if you’re suffering from any of these four conditions, a home spa may be just what you need.
1. Those With Arthritis
Hydrotherapy reduces pressure on your joints while the buoyancy of the water supports your limbs.
The heated jet massage increases blood flow through the body, lessening tension, swelling, and inflammation.
2. Those With Back Pain Or Sciatica Issues
As you enjoy the heated massage offered by your spa, your muscles will become more pliable, giving you a greater range of motion.
This is an ideal time to try some stretches that can help rid your body of stiffness.
3. Those Recovering From A Back Injury
If you’re dealing with a back injury, other parts of your body are likely picking up the slack for your injured area.
This can put a lot of stress on your muscles and tendons because they work harder than normal to compensate.
Regular spa use can ease stiffness and back pain in overworked muscles while sending healing blood flow to your injured back.
4. Those With Muscle Tension
If you’re under a lot of stress, it can be a real pain in the neck — and the back. All too often, stress causes your body to tighten up, resulting in back pain.
Receiving a heated massage can do wonders for your discomfort.
How Hydrotherapy Works
Relaxing in the heated water of your hot tub increases blood circulation to injured muscles and joints.
That’s key because increased blood flow can ease muscle spasms and decrease swelling and inflammation.
If pain is limiting your flexibility and movement, your spa can help with that, too.
The heated water and jet massage warm and loosen your muscles, making it an ideal time to stretch. This not only rids your body of tension but can grant you a better range of motion.
As an added bonus, pain relief often goes beyond the actual period of water immersion, making your hot tub a good way to help manage your back pain issues.
How Water Exercise Helps
Exercising in your spa is a very effective way to add some fitness to your day.
When you choose to engage in some low-impact bodyweight exercises, the water shields your joints from impact while the water carries the majority of your weight.
It’s an ideal and low-risk way to get moving — but make sure you have your doctor’s approval first.
Hot Tubs For Back Pain – 5 Easy Spa Stretches
Experiencing back pain can be a debilitating and uncomfortable experience.
However, incorporating gentle stretches into your daily routine can significantly alleviate discomfort, especially when done in the soothing environment of a hot tub.
The warmth of the water not only relaxes the muscles, making them more receptive to stretching but also enhances circulation, which aids in healing and pain relief.
Below, you’ll find a list of five simple yet effective stretches perfect for performing in a hot tub.
These stretches target various areas associated with back pain, offering a comprehensive approach to easing tension.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic back issues or just looking for a way to unwind after a long day, these stretches can offer both relief and relaxation.
Torso Twist Stretch:
- Sit comfortably in the hot tub with your back straight.
- Slowly turn your upper body to the right, holding onto the side of the tub for support.
- Hold this position for 15-30 seconds, feeling the stretch in your lower back and sides.
- Return to the starting position and repeat on the left side.
Hamstring Stretch:
- Extend one leg out straight in front of you while sitting.
- Reach towards your toes, bending from the waist.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds, focusing on stretching the back of your thigh.
- Repeat with the other leg.
Shoulder Blade Squeeze:
- Sit upright and pull your shoulder blades back and down.
- Try to squeeze them together and hold for 5-10 seconds.
- This stretch helps relieve tension in the upper back and neck.
Hip Flexor Stretch:
- Sit with one leg bent in front of you and the other extended behind you.
- Gently push your hips forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your hip of the extended leg.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds and then switch legs.
Always remember to move into each stretch gently and avoid any movement that causes pain.
The warm water in the hot tub can help relax your muscles, making these stretches more effective and soothing for back pain.
Hot Tubs vs Pools – Which One is Better?
If you want to add a water luxury product to your outdoor living space, you have two main options to choose from: hot tubs and swimming pools.
Each has its own appeal, health benefits, and maintenance recommendations.
To help you choose which one is right for you, we’ve outlined the main differences between each one (apart from the temperature difference!)
What You Need To Know About Hot Tubs
A hot tub is a portable, completely self-contained vessel that can be installed above-ground, below-ground, or half-in and half-out.
Once you’ve found the best model to suit your needs and lifestyle and have it installed, simply fill it with water from the hose and treat it accordingly with hot tub chemicals.
It can be easily drained for cleaning and moved to a new home if needed.
Hot tubs are often chosen for the benefits that they can provide your lifestyle, from a place to relax and rejuvenate, to the perfect environment for entertainment and recreation.
While hot tubs are often geared toward the needs of adults, children and teenagers can enjoy the jet-driven water as well, with some temperature and seating adjustments – of course!
Hot Tub Health Benefits:
- Stress and anxiety relief
- Relaxation
- Improved sleep
- Relief from pain
- Muscle relaxation
- Cardiovascular benefits
Hot Tub Maintenance:
There are three main aspects to hot tub maintenance:
Maintaining good water circulation:
This will pass the water through the hot tub filters and keep it free from contaminants.
Sticking to a cleaning schedule:
The water should be tested and treated with hot tub chemicals once a week to ensure that the water remains safe and balanced.
You should drain it completely every three to four months, or more often if it is being used very frequently.
The filter and cover can be cleaned on the same schedule, which should include rinsing with water from the hose weekly and a deeper cleaning monthly.
Your filter should be replaced every 12-18 months, depending on the quality and frequency of hot tub use.
Balancing the water chemistry:
Keep all the necessary chemicals on hand. These include pH increaser and decreaser, alkalinity increaser, chlorine or bromine sanitizer, non-chlorine shock, and test strips.
Swimming Pools 101
Adding a swimming pool to your outdoor space is a great way to get exercise, have fun, and entertain friends and family.
Swimming pools come in a wide range of designs, shapes, and sizes to suit both your backyard and budget.
Here at National Pool & Spas, we offer in-ground options, including vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete, as well as above-ground pools.
Swimming Pool Health Benefits:
- Low-impact exercise
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Builds endurance
- Improves muscle strength
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Keeps heart and lungs healthy
- Provides a full-body workout
Swimming Pool Maintenance:
Maintaining good water circulation:
Running your pool pump at least 10-12 hours per day will help keep your water clear and free from algae. Regularly backwashing your filter will also help with water circulation.
Sticking to a cleaning schedule:
Use a pool brush and net skimmer to remove any debris that has fallen into the pool. A pool vacuum is ideal for removing debris and keeping the pool walls clean.
This can be done weekly. A pool vacuum is most convenient because it can clean your pool automatically and it won’t scratch the bottom of your swimming pool.
Balancing the water chemistry:
The three most important parts of pool chemistry are maintaining an ideal pH level of 7.4 to 7.6, maintaining an alkalinity level of 100 to 150 parts per million, and maintaining a proper level of sanitizer.
Every once in a while, you will also need to add pool shock. This should be done at night, and the pump should be run for at least eight hours to allow it to circulate.
The Best Hot Tubs in New Jersey at National Pools & Spas
If you’re interested in treating pain with a hot tub, National Pools & Spas can help.
Our line of hot tubs from Sundance®️ Spas and Marquis®️ Spas could be just what you need for pain management and your fitness goals.
Contact or visit any of our four New Jersey locations to explore the premium hot tubs for sale or to talk to one of our experts about what you’re looking for.
Whether you’re looking for large hot tubs for sale or a smaller unit, we’ve got you covered.