According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 52.5 million Americans suffer from arthritis today. This unfortunate condition causes swelling, pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function, and is often worse in cold weather.

The Arthritis Association recignizes there is a solution for a better quality of life for arthritis sufferers: warm water immersion. Hot tubs provide relief to arthritis suffers in the following ways:

• It creates hydrostatic pressure on our bodies
• It reduces joint inflammation
• It is a mood booster and releases endorphins
• Warm water in hot tubs dilates your blood vessels, improving blood and oxygen flow to your vital organs
• Reduced gravity levels inside a hot tub or swim spa add to the effect of reduced pressure on joints and weak muscles, giving users a wider range of motion.
• It improves your exercise routineWith improved range of motion in hot tubs, arthritis sufferers can perform mild exercise routines with reduced discomfort. Additionally, working out in a swim spa provides buoyancy and a controlled water temperature, while allowing users to perform a wider variety of therapeutic and intense aquatic workouts.

  Warm up in the hot tub or swim spa before starting to prevent risk of muscles straining. If you go for too long, overexertion is possible – listen to your body. Stop if you feel dizzy or lightheaded. The ideal forms of exercise in a hot tub are resistance and stretching exercises. After the workout is complete, soak in the tub or swim spa for a few minutes longer before returning to cooler outside air.

In addition to hot tubs, Swim Spa Fitness Systems, such as Endless Pools, offer a wider variety of workout choices to accomodate those suffering from arthritis pain.

More information can be found on the Arthritis Foundation’s website, where you can find additional hot tub tips, as well as sample exercises.You can also consult any of IHT’s 4 locations.

Always consult your physician before beginning any hot tub therapy program.

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