Using a Hot Tub To Ease the Pain of Arthritis

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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.