Hot tubs are well known as places of recreation, socialization, and relaxation. But they can also be used for therapeutic purposes. If your body is aching, some time spent in a hot tub can be transformative. All you have to do is ask athletes, sports trainers, physiotherapists, and doctors about the benefits of soaking in a hot tub. But can localized pain be affected through hot tub use? Can a concrete hot tub help back pain? It most certainly can. In this article, we’ll break down how a hot tub is able to temporarily relieve back pain.
Heat
As the name aptly suggests, hot tubs provide heat. This heat increases the internal body temperature which causes the heart to pump faster, the blood to flow more freely and the blood vessels to dilate. These processes allow oxygen and nutrients to travel around the body more easily which assists healing mechanisms and helps alleviate pain. Heat also causes your muscles to relax which prevents involuntary spasms and contractions. Whether you’re suffering from back pain due to overexertion, injury, or disease, submerging yourself in a tub of hot water can stimulate the production of pain-relieving hormones that provide relief.
Massage
The difference between a hot tub and a hot bath is the presence of massaging water jets. Water technology has radically improved over the decades to a point where specific areas of the hot tub are designed to pinpoint precise spots on the body. Using a variety of different hot tub massage zones one is able to massage the painful areas of the back from different angles to help provide relief. Massage creates a physiological relaxation response which results in a reduction of the breathing rate and inhibition of stress hormone production. Massage also creates a mechanical response which increases blood and lymph circulation that cycles oxygen, nutrients, and waste products through the system. Massage can relax muscle tissues and diminish nerve compression which are problems often associated with back pain.
Buoyancy
Another property of water that helps relieve back pain is buoyancy. The upward force provided by water literally decreases the amount of weight that your body experiences. Relieving weight and pressure on the spinal column can be an effective method for relieving back pain. The reduction in the force of gravity on the spine allows the surrounding muscles and tissues to relax and may lead to faster healing processes. The hot tub provides a perfect environment for relieving pressure and tension associated with back pain.
Relaxation
Quite often mental stress leads to physical stress. Untreated emotional problems can lead to physical duress that manifests itself as pain and disease. This is not to say that the definitive reason that your back is feeling pain is because of mental problems, but an inability to relax will undoubtedly lead to tension, tightness, and stress in the body. Allowing your mind to relax will also allow your body to relax. In the hot tub, the combination of heat and massage is great for relaxing both the mind and the body. Adding those to a peaceful, solitary environment or conversely, a sociable and friendly environment can reduce fixation on mental stress and physical pain. Whatever way spending time in a hot tub allows you to relax will invariably help to minimize pain and discomfort.
Sleep
Back pain and sleep can have a complicated relationship. The more back pain you suffer, the harder it is to sleep. And the less sleep you get, the less likely your body will be able to heal itself. It’s been found that spending time in a hot tub an hour or two before bedtime allows one to fall asleep faster while enjoying a longer, more uninterrupted rest. Getting a proper amount of sleep allows the body’s repair processes to work more efficiently and effectively. If back pain is affecting your sleeping patterns, spending time in a hot tub may help.