Those with chronic lower back pain suffer every day. This condition affects mobility and makes even the most basic activities feel difficult. Many individuals have to rely on medications to manage their discomfort which can come with unpleasant side effects.
While hydrotherapy using your hot tub isn’t a magic cure for back pain, it offers another layer of relief that can help you depend less on medication to get through the day. The hot tub and the benefits it provides can promote relaxation in tense muscles and even help your body to heal. At Wind River Spas in Denver, CO, we offer a wide range of hot tubs and cold therapy tubs built for Colorado residents. We believe that using your hot tub every day can support a healthy lifestyle.
Understanding More About Lower Back Pain
How Many People Experience Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain affects millions of adults across the United States. Up to 80% of people in the U.S. will experience this type of pain at some point, and around 30 million Americans seek treatment for some type of spine problem every year. This widespread issue is one of the most common reasons for missed workdays and medical visits.
How Does Lower Back Pain Impact Quality of Life?
Lower back pain limits movement, disrupts sleep, and has an impact on the mental well-being of those who suffer from its constant pain. Simple tasks like house chores or working at a computer can be challenging with this type of pain, and it can be more difficult to get out of the house and socialize. In short, if you have lower back pain, it likely impacts every moment of your day, from trying to get sleep at night to trying to get tasks done during the day. Any amount of relief can help restore your mobility and your ability to enjoy life.
Traditional Treatments vs. Alternative Solutions
Traditional treatments for back pain can still be necessary options for many people. These treatments can include pain medication, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. However, many people look for ways to help reduce their dependence on pain medication or to put off invasive options like surgery for as long as possible. While using your hot tub may not completely get rid of your back pain, turning to more natural alternative solutions like soaking in the hot tub may improve your outlook. Using your hot tub for back pain can ease tension, improve circulation, and reduce stiffness without the side effects of medication.
The History of Spa Therapy
According to A van Tubergen and S van der Linden in their “A Brief History of Spa Therapy”, the term “spa” is believed to derive either from the Latin phrase sanitas per aquas (health through water) or the Walloon word espa (fountain). Ancient civilizations, particularly the Greeks and Romans, integrated water-based therapies into their daily lives. The Greeks viewed bathing as a method to promote hygiene and health, while the Romans elevated the concept with grand thermal bath houses that served as centers for socializing, relaxation, and medical care.
During the Middle Ages, spa culture waned because of religious beliefs that discouraged bathing. However, the Renaissance revived interest in hydrotherapy as European aristocracy embraced the therapeutic and leisurely aspects of mineral springs and thermal waters. By the 19th and 20th centuries, advances in balneology (or the study of therapeutic bathing) and hydrotherapy expanded spa therapy’s medical applications, linking treatments like mud baths and mineral water therapies to improvements in chronic ailments like arthritis and skin conditions.
Today, spa therapy continues to merge its historical roots with modern wellness practices, providing both relaxation and potential benefits for musculoskeletal issues like lower back pain.
What Is Spa Therapy?
Spa therapy is any water-based treatment like hydrotherapy, mineral baths, or even steam sessions to help relax the body, alleviate pain and discomfort, and improve the overall wellness of the individual. While spa therapy can be enjoyed in a professional setting, it can also be enjoyed at home in your own hot tub and in your own relaxing surroundings. A daily soak in your hot tub can help you take advantage of the benefits of hot water that people have been enjoying for centuries.
How Can Spa Therapy Provide Lower Back Pain Relief?
Impact on Pain Pathways
When you have injury or irritation in your body, signals travel along the nervous system and register as pain. Thermal analgesia is the process where heat can reduce the sensation of pain by desensitizing the nerve endings and interrupting pain signals in the nervous system. While more research still needs to be done on how fast this type of therapy can work, the ideal temperature, and how long it lasts, heat has been shown to provide relief for those with chronic back pain through thermal analgesia.
Relaxation of Muscles and Improved Flexibility
Both warm water and hydrotherapy jets can help relax tight muscles and improve overall flexibility. By reducing tension in the lower back, spa therapy can help ease stiffness, increase the range of motion in the area, and provide comfort. Stretching or light movements while in the hot tub for back pain can increase these benefits and help avoid injury while doing these exercises.
Circulatory Benefits
Immersion in warm water dilates blood vessels and encourages oxygen and nutrients to reach the inflamed or sore muscles in your back. Increased circulation can help accelerate healing in the case of an injury and can reduce swelling. When enjoyed every day, these soaks can help provide ongoing relief.
Mental Health Benefits and Stress Relief
Chronic pain is often linked to mental health concerns like stress, anxiety, and depression. Decreased mental health can lead to a cycle of worsening pain. While nothing can replace the benefits of professional support for mental health concerns, spa therapy can foster mental relaxation, lowering cortisol levels and creating a sense of calm.
How to Incorporate Spa Therapy Into Your Routine
Set Aside 15-20 Minutes Per Day for Soaking
Consistency is important when getting the most out of your spa therapy soaking sessions. If you set aside 15-20 minutes every day to allow your body to relax, your muscles to loosen, and your stress to subside, you can start to see improvements. Regular soaking can start to become a soothing ritual that provides pain relief and improvements in other areas like your sleep.
Use Your Hot Tub for Stretching and Light Exercise
Your hot tub can double as a low-impact exercise space. Gentle stretching or aquatic exercises in warm water can increase flexibility, improve circulation, and support joint health. The buoyancy of water reduces strain on the body and can be great for individuals recovering from injuries or managing chronic pain conditions.
Supplement Your Spa Therapy With Other Lifestyle Adjustments
Spa therapy always works best when combined with other efforts to improve your lifestyle. Always focus on regular physical activity as your doctor recommends, a healthy diet, and plenty of hydration. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any type of hydrotherapy.
Don’t Have a Hot Tub? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of a hot tub for back pain we can help you find the perfect tub at Wind River Spas in Denver, CO. We have decades of expertise, plenty of options, and a commitment to helping our community live a healthier and happier lifestyle. Explore our options online or call (303) 789-2656 to speak with us today!