In addition to pain relief, soaking in a hot tub can provide several other benefits to one’s overall health and wellbeing.
Diabetes
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on patients suffering from diabetes (from 3 to 14 years) that sat in a hot tub 30 minutes per day, 6 days a week, for 3 weeks experience average blood glucose levels reduced from 182 mg/dl to 159, while HbA1c was reduced from an average of 11.2% to 10.2%, and an average weight reduction of 3.75 pounds.
Blood Pressure
Evidence has shown that hot tubs can also be effective in treating high blood pressure. Hot water dilates the blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump the blood into the blood stream.
Heart Health
Because it raises the body temperature and causes the heart rate to rise, those with heart disease can gain the benefits of exercise without putting any additional strain on the heart by simply soaking in a hot tub.
A study on “Cardiovascular Responses to Immersion in a Hot Tub in Com-parison with Exercise in Male Subjects with Coronary Artery Disease” with men at an average of 59 with CAD concluded these comments; “Peak heart rate was lower during hot tub immersion than for exercise (85 vs 112 beats/min) as was the blood pressure (106/61 vs 170/83) on average. Cardiovascular responses to immersion were less severe than for moderate exercise.”
A study on Low Back Pain between patients receiving standard ambulatory care and those receiving spa therapy concluded; “patients who had (spa) therapy had a significant improvement in spine mobility and functional scores and a reduction in the daily duration of pain.” “…9 months after therapy (they) showed continued reduction in pain and drug consumption.”
“With Hydrotherapy, a significant improvement in 3 of 6 dimensions of quality of life (mood, physical capacity, enjoyment) and a significant reduction in heart related systems were found.” “A home-based hydro-therapeutic thermal treatment program improves… heart rate response to exercise in patients with mild chronic heart failure.”
