Many of us have felt a week’s worth of stress and the niggling pain in our back ebb away when indulging in a hot tub soak. Unlike a bath, which gets cold quickly, the therapeutic properties of relaxing in warm water are endless. Many of us know that hot tubs can make us feel tranquil and get rid of any minor aches, but did you know that owning a hot tub is fantastic for those with diabetes or arthritis?
Hot Tubs for Diabetes
In 2014 the World Health Organisation reported that there were 422 million world citizens living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is a result of the body’s ineffective use of insulin, largely as a result of obesity or physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes used to just be seen in adults but now more and more children are having to receive treatment for the disease too.
Those living with type 2 diabetes will benefit from owning a hot tub. The jets and warm water in hot tubs increases circulation which mimics the benefits of exercise. Scientists found that type 2 diabetics who used a hot tub for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, six days a week, had decreased their blood sugar levels around 13%.
For diabetics who enjoy and can physically partake in exercise, swim spas are also a fantastic option. Going to a public swimming pool can make anybody feel body conscious, so having a small exercise pool in your back garden allows you to exercise and feel comfortable. The controls of a swim spa can be adjusted to suit your capabilities and the mini pools are installed flush to the ground, meaning those with physical issues can enter and exit the water easily.
Hot Tubs for Arthritis & Fibromyalgia
Soaking in warm water is the simplest method of pain relief and has been used as a form of therapy since the Egyptian times. Having stood the test of time, research over the years has revealed that the pain associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis can be eased by soaking in warm water.
For this reason, many who live with musculoskeletal disorders often use the benefits of a hot tub to make living with different conditions easier. Particularly with arthritis, which affects 350 million people globally, doctors recommend weight loss, joint protection and exercise as three key ways of lessening the pain and making day to day life a little easier.
Warm water is a natural pain reliever in itself but due to the buoyancy in the water, joint pain is diminished as there is less of a gravitational downward pull. Furthermore, movement and exercise in hot tubs is low impact which means that there is less power being put through your joints, thus protecting them whilst still partaking in exercise.
Not only is light exercise in a hot tub a great way for those with arthritis to shed some weight, but the physical act of soaking in a tub curbs your appetite and helps you sleep better, which can prevent weight gain.
Conclusion
If you are considering using or purchasing a hot tub to help you with diabetes, arthritis, or any pain or illness, it is best to check with your doctor beforehand. Chances are regular hot tub sessions, incorporated with light exercise, will be just what the doctor ordered.