IN-DEPTH: HOT TUBS

MEDICAL BENEFITS OF HOT TUBS FOR MICHIGAN RESIDENTS

Anyone who has ever lived through a Michigan winter knows that along with the snow and the cold, you also deal with things like the flu and the cold virus.

You might think that using a hot tub in the bitter cold months isn’t the best idea, but it turns out that hot tubs are good for more than just a respite from the temperatures. They can also help with sore muscles, arthritis, stress, and even boost your immunity.

But first, let’s talk about winter.

Hot Tubs: The Effects Of Michigan Winters On The Body - EmeraldLeisureSource.com

How Hot Tubs Help the Effects Of Michigan Winters On Your Body

Think about how difficult it is to perform basic motor skills when the temperature dips, like tying your boots or picking up something you dropped. That’s because cold temperatures can mess with your bodily functions, including nerve impulses. They slow down muscle reactions and nerve signals, which makes it harder to move the body.

When the air temperature drops, so does the barometric pressure. This lower air pressure causes the soft tissue around your joints to expand in response, and it infringes on the joints. That can mean pain that radiates into the muscles, making them more prone to cramps and spasms. When your muscles are tense and stiff, this can result in soreness that you might not otherwise experience.

But luckily there’s something that can help with all of these conditions — a hot tub from Emerald Spas and Billiards.

MUSCLES HEAL FASTER

Whether you’re lifting weights at the gym, taking the kids sledding, or have a labor-intensive job, your muscles are working.

Studies have shown that both heat and cold therapy after exercise can promote healing and prevent muscle damage, but heat actually has small advantages over cold in increasing healing after a workout.

When your muscles and joints are cold, you’re more likely to pull or strain them during physical activity. Soaking in your hot tub before exercise can help warm you up and prepare your body for a safer workout. And after your physical exertion, it can soothe and relax stiff limbs and aching muscles.

The hot water and massage jets of your spa help release tension and pull the toxins from your muscles. The pressure is also taken off your legs, feet, and back, thanks to the buoyancy of the water, which helps work out the knots and the kinks.

Hot Tubs Provide Natural Pain Relief for Arthritis

If you live with an arthritic condition like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, your symptoms may worsen in the cold weather. But according to the Arthritis Foundation, time in a hot tub creates a healing environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness.

“The research shows our ancestors got it right. It makes you feel better. It makes the joints looser. It reduces pain and it seems to have a somewhat prolonged effect that goes beyond the period of immersion,” said Bruce E. Becker, MD, director of the National Aquatics & Sports Medicine Institute at Washington State University in Spokane.

The water’s buoyancy relieves stress on joints and muscles to encourage better movement, decreases swelling and inflammation, and increases circulation.

Hot Tubs: Natural Arthritis Pain Relief - EmeraldLeisureSource.com

INCREASE YOUR IMMUNITY

When the temperature drops, your chances of contracting the common cold rise.

And while there’s nothing you can do to cure it, a soak in your hot tub can help give you relief from your symptoms — which can help to speed up your recovery.

Soaking in your tub for 20 minutes can help with everything from body aches to congestion. Studies have shown that inhaling the warm, humid steam can help unclog sinuses and help mucus drain more effectively, which helps you to breathe easier. In addition, hydrotherapy helps to relax and soothe all those body aches and pains.

That warm, humid steam can also help to clear up your skin by opening up and unclogging your pores, assisting in the treatment of everything from acne and eczema to psoriasis and even wrinkles.

Decrease Levels of Stress & Anxiety with a Hot Tub

Even if you’re illness-free, a hot tub can help to boost your immunity by decreasing your stress and anxiety levels.

Your immune system is weakened by high stress levels, which makes you more prone to contracting illnesses like the common cold.

Hot tub therapy has been medically proven to increase physical and emotional well-being, while relaxing your body and mind. When you close your eyes and let the jets massage your body while you soak in the warmth of your spa, it’s easy to let go of the stress that has plagued you throughout the day.

Hot Tubs: Decreased Stress And Anxiety - EmeraldLeisrueSource.com

IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP

According to the American Sleep Association, 50-70 million U.S. adults have a sleep disorder.

And one-third of adults reporting that they usually get less than the recommended eight hours of sleep every night.

The result is an increased risk of many chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression.

All it takes is soaking in your hot tub for a little while before you go to bed to relax your nerves and muscles, making it easier to sleep.

In addition, when you’re in a warm hot tub, your body’s temperature is raised, which increases blood circulation. When you step out, your core temperature slowly lowers again, which signals the body that it’s time to sleep.

Preparing Your Hot Tub For A Michigan Winter

To make sure you’re getting the most out of your hot tub this winter, there are certain things that you should do to make sure your hot tub stays running in top shape. As for the ideal water temperature, it’s recommended to keep it between 100 and 104 degrees. When the spa is being used in cold weather, the water will cool faster whenever the cover is off, so the warmer setting can help to offset that.

Thinking about a hot tub for your home?

Emerald Spas and Billiards, right in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is your one-stop shop for brand new Sundance Spas, covers, chemicals, and everything you need to make your winter hot tubbing experience the best it can be. Stop in and talk with our expert staff today!