Re: Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of Arthritis

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone...

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am back...My computer totally

went to pieces, but have a new one now. As for the hot tub, after I was

diagnoised, my parents, God Love Them went out and got a hot tub...course they

use it too....hehe. I am in it everytime I can...was there on Monday and the

temp was 105...let me tell you....even though it was hot outside, the tub felt

wonderful. I am not sure what the records show, all I can go by is how I feel

when I come out of it. If I thought I could get away with having one in my

apartment I would sell my first born...hehehe....Well anyway that is my

opinion....Glad to be back.

Bridgette

a <paula54@...> wrote: Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of

Arthritis

Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of Arthritis

Ten Tips* from the Arthritis Foundation

Brought to you by a grant from Hot Spring Portable Spas**

The soothing warmth and buoyancy of warm water make it a safe, ideal

environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness. Exercising in a hot

tub

is one method of hydrotherapy, or using water to help treat a condition.

Immersing in warm water raises your body temperature, causing your blood

vessels to dilate and increasing circulation. Water exercise is a gentle way

to

exercise by supporting joints and lessening stress on them to encourage free

movement, and may also act as resistance to help build muscle strength.

Using a

spa adds a third component to the therapy -- massage. Jet nozzles release a

mixture of warm water and air, massaging your body and helping you relax

tight

muscles.

Your doctor can help determine if warm-water therapy is appropriate for you.

Consult your doctor before using or purchasing a spa if you have any special

medical conditions such as lung or heart disease, circulatory problems, high

or

low blood pressure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, skin irritations or any

other

serious illness. Also check with your doctor before exercising if you have

joint damage or have had joint replacement.

If you use or purchase a hot tub, follow these tips for safe enjoyment:

1.. Be an educated health-care consumer. Ask questions about the product's

features, construction and warranty. Check with third-party references such

as

Consumers Digest and the Better Business Bureau for more information on the

manufacturer.

2.. Always have adult supervision when children are near the hot tub. Keep

the cover on and locked at all times when the hot tub is not in use.

3.. Be sure the design is user-friendly. Ask yourself questions such as:

a.. Is the cover easy to open, lift, remove and replace?

b.. Does the size and shape give you adequate room to perform your

exercises?

c.. Is it possible to install handrails and grab bars to facilitate easy

entry, exit or movement?

d.. Does it have slip resistant surfaces? If not, can you install them?

e.. Are the filters top-loading for easy access?

4.. Consider that you may need help getting in and out of the hot tub.

Someone else should be nearby for help if necessary.

5.. Check the thermometer for appropriate temperature before entering and

while in the spa. The spa should be 98 - 104° F.

6.. Remember that individuals react differently to heat. If you feel

lightheaded or nauseated, get out of the water immediately.

7.. If joint swelling, stiffness or pain increase while using a hot tub,

discontinue the use of heat and exercise and consult your doctor.

8.. Never use a hot tub during or after drinking alcohol or using drugs.

These may cause sleepiness, drowsiness or changes in blood pressure.

Pregnant

women should not enter a hot tub without first consulting their doctor.

9.. Be aware of the weakening effects of heat when exercising in warm water.

Start slowly and don't overdo.

10.. Relax and enjoy the soothing water. Allow enough time after exercising

to relax muscles before getting out of the water.

* These tips are taken from the Arthritis Foundation's booklet Water

Exercise:

Pools, Spas and Arthritis. To receive a free copy of the entire booklet,

visit

the Hot Spring® Spa web site at www.hotspring.com or contact your local

chapter

of the Arthritis Foundation.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bridgette,

In addition to a's safety tips, please remember not to overdo it while in

the hot tub. This is VERY easy to do as your joints feel so wonderful while

being suspended in the water. When you do finally get out, sometimes from

overdoing it, you will hurt MORE than when you went in originally. I can

speak from experience on this one. I complained to my rheumy on that, and

she said very frankly that I was doing way too many exercises for far too

long and didn't realize it.

Also, remember to hydrate really well while in the hot tub, the hot water can

really suck the water out of you. I usually keep a large bottle of water

right on the ledge so that I am reminded to drink if I ever thought about

forgetting!

All in all, ENJOY, it is one of the few bright things that we can really

enjoy with this lousy disease! Hot tub + RA = Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.

Gentle, tender, bubbling water angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Bridgette,

Glad to see you back again. I hope your computer problems are over. How

sweet of your parents to get a hot tub for all to enjoy! It's great that it

is giving you so much relief. I'm in mine a couple of times a day. Your

temperature has me a little worried. I posted hot tub safety tips that I

hope you read. There are many health conditions that are worsened by high

temps. Please be careful!

a

On 5/30/02 7:29 PM, " bridgette quintal " <bridgette1959@...> wrote:

>

> Hello Everyone...

> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am back...My computer totally

> went to pieces, but have a new one now. As for the hot tub, after I was

> diagnoised, my parents, God Love Them went out and got a hot tub...course they

> use it too....hehe. I am in it everytime I can...was there on Monday and the

> temp was 105...let me tell you....even though it was hot outside, the tub felt

> wonderful. I am not sure what the records show, all I can go by is how I feel

> when I come out of it. If I thought I could get away with having one in my

> apartment I would sell my first born...hehehe....Well anyway that is my

> opinion....Glad to be back.

> Bridgette

>

> a <paula54@...> wrote: Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of

> Arthritis

>

>

> Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of Arthritis

> Ten Tips* from the Arthritis Foundation

> Brought to you by a grant from Hot Spring Portable Spas**

>

> The soothing warmth and buoyancy of warm water make it a safe, ideal

> environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness. Exercising in a hot

> tub

> is one method of hydrotherapy, or using water to help treat a condition.

> Immersing in warm water raises your body temperature, causing your blood

> vessels to dilate and increasing circulation. Water exercise is a gentle way

> to

> exercise by supporting joints and lessening stress on them to encourage free

> movement, and may also act as resistance to help build muscle strength.

> Using a

> spa adds a third component to the therapy -- massage. Jet nozzles release a

> mixture of warm water and air, massaging your body and helping you relax

> tight

> muscles.

>

> Your doctor can help determine if warm-water therapy is appropriate for you.

> Consult your doctor before using or purchasing a spa if you have any special

> medical conditions such as lung or heart disease, circulatory problems, high

> or

> low blood pressure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, skin irritations or any

> other

> serious illness. Also check with your doctor before exercising if you have

> joint damage or have had joint replacement.

>

> If you use or purchase a hot tub, follow these tips for safe enjoyment:

>

> 1.. Be an educated health-care consumer. Ask questions about the product's

> features, construction and warranty. Check with third-party references such

> as

> Consumers Digest and the Better Business Bureau for more information on the

> manufacturer.

> 2.. Always have adult supervision when children are near the hot tub. Keep

> the cover on and locked at all times when the hot tub is not in use.

>

> 3.. Be sure the design is user-friendly. Ask yourself questions such as:

> a.. Is the cover easy to open, lift, remove and replace?

> b.. Does the size and shape give you adequate room to perform your

> exercises?

> c.. Is it possible to install handrails and grab bars to facilitate easy

> entry, exit or movement?

> d.. Does it have slip resistant surfaces? If not, can you install them?

> e.. Are the filters top-loading for easy access?

> 4.. Consider that you may need help getting in and out of the hot tub.

> Someone else should be nearby for help if necessary.

> 5.. Check the thermometer for appropriate temperature before entering and

> while in the spa. The spa should be 98 - 104° F.

> 6.. Remember that individuals react differently to heat. If you feel

> lightheaded or nauseated, get out of the water immediately.

> 7.. If joint swelling, stiffness or pain increase while using a hot tub,

> discontinue the use of heat and exercise and consult your doctor.

> 8.. Never use a hot tub during or after drinking alcohol or using drugs.

> These may cause sleepiness, drowsiness or changes in blood pressure.

> Pregnant

> women should not enter a hot tub without first consulting their doctor.

> 9.. Be aware of the weakening effects of heat when exercising in warm water.

> Start slowly and don't overdo.

> 10.. Relax and enjoy the soothing water. Allow enough time after exercising

> to relax muscles before getting out of the water.

> * These tips are taken from the Arthritis Foundation's booklet Water

> Exercise:

> Pools, Spas and Arthritis. To receive a free copy of the entire booklet,

> visit

> the Hot Spring® Spa web site at www.hotspring.com or contact your local

> chapter

> of the Arthritis Foundation.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Also must put another no-no with hot tubs. Don't have the jets on full

blast and direct one of your bad joints right on it and keep it there. It

may feel good at first, but you will pay for it. Learned a lesson on that

one, let me tell ya. I do still direct the jets, but only for a few

seconds. It helps to loosen the muscle around it. Also because mine is a

large built-in tub (2 person) and drain it after use, I also use blends of

essential oils to help relax while soaking. Nicely scented candles are also

enjoyable for those who can't drain their tubs everyday.

Re: [ ] Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of Arthritis

Hi Bridgette,

In addition to a's safety tips, please remember not to overdo it while

in

the hot tub. This is VERY easy to do as your joints feel so wonderful

while

being suspended in the water. When you do finally get out, sometimes from

overdoing it, you will hurt MORE than when you went in originally. I can

speak from experience on this one. I complained to my rheumy on that, and

she said very frankly that I was doing way too many exercises for far too

long and didn't realize it.