How Hot Tubs Help with Back Pain

Ditch your first idea of buying pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs for your back pain and try a natural healing technic. Hot water therapy has been used for thousands of years and has been proven a relief for back pain time and time again. Why not start your back treatment right at your own home? Hot tubs give the added benefit of hydrotherapy, the movement of hot water throughout the body resulting in immediate pain relief in the most natural way. They have the added massage effect with jets designed at a specific angle to give attention to target pain spots caused from chronic pain or from an injury or soreness. Also, there are some great stretches for back pain you can do while receiving hydrotherapy. Below, read how hot tubs help with back pain to learn more about what your hot tub can do for your pain.

Hydrotherapy

The hot water promotes circulation throughout the body, which increases blood flow throughout your vessels. This helps move enzymes, endorphins, and water move throughout your body quicker. Your body is already healing itself instantly. Furthermore, the heat helps get rid of metabolic wastes, increase oxygen flow, and replenish your body with its natural nutrients. This is why you feel an instant relief to your muscles when you step into your hot tub or even into a hot shower!

Let the Jets Massage your Pain Away

Throughout your hot tub, hydro-jets apply pressure, much like a massage, to your pain areas and also circulate the water around your entire body for extra comfort and relaxation. The jets are designed to help with any type of back pain whether that be from inflammation, tightness, soreness, or stiffness. These types of pain can be the result from a wide range of causes such as an injury from a sport or falling etc, a chronic pain you have had your whole life, muscle soreness from a hard workout, or just random stiffness or everyday pain you might feel. Hot tubs are good for any type of back pain for any reason!

Hot Tub Stretches for Lower Back Pain

After a good 10 minutes of soaking in the hot tub, try some simple stretches that will feel great for your back and really help relieve your pain. The hot tub provides a low impact and high resistance environment for you to do your stretches. Here are a few stretches you can start trying:

• Shoulder Shrugs- Sit down with your arms close to your side in a relaxed state. Pull your shoulders up to your ears and hold there for 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Now, push your shoulders down towards your hips and hold for another 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat this process 10 times.
• Twists- Sit down facing forward. Slowly twist your back, without moving your hips or your knees making sure they stay facing forward, and hold on to the side of the hot tub. Hold for 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat on the other side. Do this process 10 times.
• Cat-Cow Yoga Stretch- This is a yoga stretch normally done on your hands in knees outside of the hot tub. However, you can get the same benefit sitting upright in the hot tub. Sit down facing forward with your hands on your quads. Slowly, arch your back and then hold there for 2 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Now, move your back in the opposite direction by rounding your back like a cat does. Hold there for 2 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat this process 10 times.
• Reaching Stretch- This is best when you are in a lounger or can prop your feet up. Sit down and move your legs to your chest. Stretch your arms outward as far as you can go. Hold there for 5 breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Relax. Now, repeat this process 10 times.
• Heal Stretch and Toe Touch- Lower back pain stems from other parts of the body not being stretched or worked. Lower back pain can be caused or be worsened from tight hamstrings. Sitting down and facing forward, grab your ankle or foot. Extend your leg out to a comfortable stretch. Never overextend yourself. You should never feel any pain, only a slight discomfort from the stretch. Hold for 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this again with your other leg. Repeat this process 10 times. If you are in a lounger, you can reach to touch your toes for 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Side Stretch- Reach to the sky and clasp your hands together. Lean to one side until you feel a stretch in the opposite side you are leaning. Hold for 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this on the other side. Repeat this process 10 times.

For more information about exercises you can do for back pain, read our strengthening exercises for back pain article.

Buoyancy Support

Did you know that for most people, their strongest muscle in their body is their back? That is because we often use our back not only for supporting our spine and holding our body upright, but also we use our backs incorrectly on a daily basis such as lifting heavy objects or even doing everyday activities like running. Often, sleeping incorrectly can also be a cause for back pain. Immerging yourself in water gives you that added buoyancy effect of being almost weightless in water. This takes a lot of the weight off your back and forces it to relax and loosen up. Buoyancy gives your back a break from all that stress, tension, support, and improper use.

Have any questions about hot tubs or Spa Logic? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page to help find answers fast.

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