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The Medical Community And Hot Tubs

mahony — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 09:10:34 +0000

It doesn't take much investigation to be able to come to the conclusion that the medical community is all in favor of the healing properties that are brought up by the simple activity of relaxing in a hot tub.

It's not just about relaxing, either, because there are athletes and trainers who have been using the whirlpool effect with hot water to soothe athletes for years.

How many times have you seen the nightly news only to see a story about an athlete who is feeling sore in a specific area and we can see him in the background, sitting next to a big aluminum-looking tub with whatever is ailing him submerged in the water? Coaches and trainers have known for years what the medical community is just now advocating; by allowing submersion in hot water, a healing can occur. No medications, no drugs, no shots, just some hot water. Go figure.

Aren't we just amazed by what professional athletes put their bodies through? Watch one game on Monday night football to gain a respect of what those guys put themselves through for the sake of the game, that's all you'll need to start to understand that if they find a healing property in hot water, why shouldn't we?

I remember the movie North Dallas Forty from many years ago which is about the Dallas Cowboys' football team. I remember a scene where the camera angle was as close to the real thing of being in the place of the player and for just a few moments, as the audience, could experience what it must be like to play that game as a pro. It was incredible! Men weighing more than 200 pounds, wearing cleats on their feet were actually stepping on one another to get that football, it was painful to watch. Immediately after the game, it did not show the players at a bar, enjoying a beer together or at home with their families. What we saw was probably a lot more like the reality of players; they were bandaged up, moaning because of their sore muscles and they were neck high in a hot tub because they knew, without a doubt, that by sitting in hot water they could reap some of the benefits of healing without the need for drugs.

Maybe I read too much into the movie, but the point is, the trainers and coaches of great athletes have been using the hot tub-method for healing for centuries and it is today, in the 21st Century that the medical community has hopped on board and backed the findings that sitting in a hot tub will help to heal sore muscles.

Today the medical community is using the idea of hot tubs for healing for all kinds of medical problems; people with diabetes have been known to reduce their blood sugar with a consistent use of a hot tub, people who have suffered a stroke have been able to have that almost-normal feeling they had before their stroke when they are in a hot tub.

Maybe it has taken a long time for the medical community to endorse the use of hot tubs for healing, but the bottom line is they have come to the conclusion and that's progress.

Child Safety In Hot Tubs

mahony — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:13:34 +0000

There is nothing more enjoyable than watching a child play in water. Hot tubs are especially attractive to children because of their depth, which is usually not as deep as the swimming pool and because of the warm temperature. But there are dangers when children and hot tubs are mixed and there isn't a clue as to what may happen if precautions are not followed.

First child safety tip in regards to a hot tub is to not allow access to any child to the water, especially in the absence of adult supervision. How is that achieved? That safety precaution is kept by having a lockable hot tub cover that will not allow a child access to the water.

No matter what, under any circumstances, should a child be left alone near a hot tub, if a phone rings and you need to answer it, take the child, too. There isn't any reason for a child to be near a hot tub without adult supervision and many potentially fatal accidents have been prevented by the attention of an adult.

It is important to keep the temperature of a hot tub in mind if child safety is an issue. While most adults can tolerate high temperatures, children are less likely to because among other things, their skin is thinner than that of an adult. With thinner skin, a child is more likely to become over-heated, which can cause dizziness and light-headedness, which can lead to drowning. Children should not stay in a hot tub, with a temperature more than 104 degrees than five minutes or so. Again, this is where adult supervision comes in because a child will not know what is happening to them if they become disoriented as a result of prolonged time in a hot tub; and they may not be able to communicate that they are feeling over-heated or nauseous. As an adult, the monitoring of a child is entirely up to you, no excuses.

The environment in which we enjoy hot tubs can also be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and if not treated, can cause serious illness. If there is any child with an open wound, they should not enter the hot tub, in their own best interest. If a child is too young to tell someone that they need to go to the bathroom, or if they are still in a diaper, they should not, under any circumstances be allowed in a hot tub. Any fecal matter in the moist, warm environment of a hot tub is a dangerous mixture and can cause many, many illnesses. Be safe with this one by keeping the pH levels balanced and having the proper chemicals on hand, if they are needed.

Because children are more susceptible to germs and have not been around long enough to have produced the antibodies it takes to fight some infections, it is imperative that their safety and the safety of those around them, not be compromised by not adhering to the point that children not yet able to express the need to use the bathroom be put in a hot tub, where they may cause fecal matter to be introduced to the atmosphere.

Health Benefits Of Hot Tubs

mahony — Sat, 29 May 2010 13:00:34 +0000

Over the past few years it has become evident that the health professionals endorse the use of hot tubs and spas as a way of healing the body.

When you think about how we all came into the world, we started in water, and it makes sense that by having a place to relax in water at a perfect temperature, how beneficial that could be (and is).

Americans today are much more contentious about their health and have come to stand by their health care professional's opinions about the healing benefits of sitting in a hot tub or spa.

Whether you are looking for a way to enhance your physical body or your peace-of-mind, the way to go is in a hot tub.

The heart is designed to pump blood in response to our body's demands or requests. The heart has to work a lot less when the body's temperature is elevated (not too much) and are in a state of buoyancy. You can relieve your body weight by 20% when in a tub or pool up to your neck in water. Just the effects of the natural gravitational pull that are lessened by doing this is well worth looking into if you are pursuing optimal health.

While relaxing in a hot tub, the health benefits are numerous; and include the simple fact that when you are immersed in water up to your neck the volume of blood in your chest cavity and even in your heart will increase and that's the best thing you can do for your circulation system. More of the health benefits that can be gained by regular immersion in a hot tub include benefits to your pulmonary, musculoskeletal, renal and endocrine systems.

By your heart pumping in the conditions of a relaxing hot tub and the fact that you are not putting all of your body's weight in stress, these benefits will be a great advantage for any owner of a hot tub or spa. While your heart's ability to pump blood goes up, and your heart rate is enjoying a bit of a slow down, your cardiovascular system can become more efficient right along with every other working system of the body.

There are almost too many health benefits to mention that will be enjoyed by the hot tub user that naming them all would take up too much time but here are a few more health benefits; water has always been known to soothe pain away, it can (and will) loosen up cramped muscles, sitting in the water up to your neck you will also have the added benefit of having the vapors from the steam entering your nose and possibly loosening up any congestion that is going on within. One of the most beneficial ways regular hot tub or spa use can help is with sleep.

How many nights have you spent, churning up inside over any and every little thing and the more you try to sleep, the more wide awake you get? When you step out of a hot tub, you feel naturally relaxed and drowsy and all you need next is your pillow and a blanket in order to enjoy a good night's rest.

The Ultimate Extravagate Hot Tub

mahony — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:24:34 +0000

Imagine that you are awarded an amount of money that would afford you all of the luxuries the world has to offer; now think about what you would do about designing a hot tub/spa area.

Just for kicks, what extravagant options would you build into this dream of a hot tub? There are so many options available today by manufacturers that your choices are nearly limitless. Would you go with an in-ground model or one with a deck?

The designing of a hot tub always begins with one question: How am I going to use it? Who will be spending time in it? How many people do I expect at any one time and would like the room for? Okay, so you figure you'll treat yourself to the biggest hot tub around, which can hold up to 10 people! You equip the unit with as many massaging jets as possible, a few reclining seats, a few where you sit straight up where there are jets that force air and water up from the bottom of the hot tub to do one job; keep your feet happy.

Do you need to build a structure to house this extravagant hot tub? Will you have the walls without any obstruction so the air can move freely right through it? Will you have walls and doors and windows for that extra privacy? Again, the choices are unbelievable right now, for the options available to the hot tub buyer and/or owner.

One of my favorite options that are available for today's extravagant hot tubs is the use of light and LED screens. There are waterfalls that are built into the unit that are lighted with color changing features that can change colors with the rhythm of the music, if you'd like. Some of these high end, extravagant hot tubs come with stereo systems and surround sound that most of us don't have in our homes.

What about movies? Is it a dream for you, like it is for me to be able to enjoy the benefits of a hot tub while watching a movie? It may be a movie you've seen a thousand times, or for the first time. There could even be a TV attachment, where you can watch your favorite programs and relax in the hot tub at the same time.

One of my favorite options is the one where there is a remote control device, so you can check and adjust the temperature of the outdoor hot tub before going out into the inclement weather. Picture it; you're in your warm fire-place heated cabin in the mountains and there is snow on the ground. Earlier in the day you cleared a path from the back door to the hot tub and you decide it's time to hit the hot tub for a little relaxation. Do you walk out, through the snow, hoping that temperature will be warm enough in the tub that you can just get right into it?

What if you walk outside, in a bathrobe and warm slippers only to find that the heater isn't working and you need to get back indoors as quickly as possible? That kind of thing never has to happen with the most extravagant hot tubs; just rely on your remote control to check the temp ahead of time, make heating adjustments if needed and head out for an experience like no other, by sitting under the stars, on a snowy night, enjoying your hot tub.

Hot Tub Gazebos

mahony — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:56:34 +0000

Having a hot tub in your back yard, or on a deck, is no longer the luxury that only the wealthiest of people could afford. Today, hot tubs come in so many shapes and sizes that it is feasible that all kinds of incomes could afford one.

When you have a hot tub out in the yard you are also afforded the option of building a gazebo to add beauty and functionality to the hot tub experience.

Having a gazebo to enhance the beauty of the hot tub is another option that is no longer something for the wealthy. There are many different types of gazebos and they can be built for little money, by the owner or they can be ordered and specialized for more cost. No matter which option is chosen, a gazebo for your hot tub will only make the experience of soaking in it more enjoyable.

What types of hot tub gazebos are there? Some gazebos come with the idea of an open-air experience. They are built with the roof and the supporting sides, but the openings are left bare to allow for the breeze to make an impression. These gazebos are less likely to be enough for those who are looking for more privacy in their hot tub space but there is always the option of hanging some kind of curtain when privacy is required.

How about the hot tub owner who is in close proximity to neighbors or a busy street? If that is the case, there are designs of hot tub gazebos that have screens, blinds, shutters and other options for the feeling of privacy. One idea for lighting if one of the enclosed hot tub gazebos is preferred is to fill the inside of the roof with tiny Christmas lights and it will simulate the night sky. Or there are many other lighting options that will bring a sense of customization that can be offered from built in lighting, where the lighting is built into the ceiling and the support walls. Maybe you are more interested in the candlelight effect? There are ways to custom build shelves that will allow you to place decorative candles that will keep them within a safe range, where they will not catch fire.

Today there are hot tub gazebos that have incredible stereo systems and they can have the entire system built into the structure itself, or they can have wireless speakers that are connected to the home's stereo system, where there isn't a fear of having any electrical items too close to the tub itself.

Some companies offer the option of having a custom gazebo built and in that case you could sit down with a designer, or architect, and design whatever you choose for the enclosure of your hot tub. These custom-designs have a great selling-point and that is; no matter how outrageous you want your hot tub gazebo to be, if you have the imagination, it can be built. Close your eyes and dream up anything, and it can be achieved.

The Evolution Of The Hot Tub

mahony — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:06:34 +0000

There was a time when owning a hot tub was something the average American family could only dream of. The cost to purchase one and the cost of maintaining and cleaning it was just too much for anyone except the rich and famous; not to mention the cost in electricity to run it!

Somewhere along the way there began to be a murmur about the wonderful health benefits that people who were using their hot tubs on a regular basis were achieving that the medical community began to take notice. Their findings were nothing shy of a paradigm shift in the ways people could heal. The possibility that allowed patients to have medical benefits without necessarily the use of medication, were almost hard to believe, but patients were showing signs of physical improvement from simply soaking in a hot tub.

Once this information became common knowledge, a new, improved, affordable option became something that many more families could enjoy. From then on, more and more manufacturers were coming up with ways for the average American family to be able to have their own hot tubs, without the extraordinary purchase cost. They were even improved upon the cost of running a hot tub, and the maintenance came down considerably in price, too.

Today there are so many options when it comes to buying a hot tub that more and more people who could not afford them a few years back are now able to reap the benefits of a soak in a hot tub.

There are hot tubs available today that will accommodate two people or ten. The hot tub designs have become unique, too, and they are not a one-size-fits-all option but they can be customized to blend into the d

Hot Tub Luxury

mahony — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:12:34 +0000

Remember the days when hot tubs were a commodity only the wealthy could afford? Hot tubs sold today are different; you may still have all the bells and whistles for a hot tub, but offered today are entry-level pricing that will allow all of the medicinal benefits of its high end counterpart.

Take for instance the number of jets that are installed in a hot tub; more jets is equal to more bubbles and more bubbles, whether an actual physical benefit or not, just makes you feel better!

Luxurious hot tubs can consist of molded lounge seats, equipped with jets that are strategically placed right on the areas you may have pain or where you accumulate tension. Sitting in warm water, up to your neck, in a lounging position, being massaged by perfectly placed jets is nothing shy of luxury at its best. Within the same hot tub there may be seats that allow you to sit up straight with jets pulsating at your neck and lower back and another luxury option could be the jets that come straight from the bottom of the hot tub and massage your feet. Reflexology is the term used that believes that all of the points of your feet and hands affect another part of your body; and also, when massaged on the hands and feet, will produce the relaxation effect to the designated area. Hot tub manufacturers have taken this slice of luxury into account when creating the seating and jet position of their hot tubs.

The luxury of hot tubs only begins with its jets; there are models today that come equipped with such frills as a self-draining ice bucket, in order to hold the bottle of champagne chilled while you enjoy the water. There are molded cup holders for the other seats that are designed into your hot tub unit, to accommodate anyone else enjoying the time with you.

I need to mention two cautions when advocating the above luxuries; it is not a good idea to consume alcoholic beverages while soaking in a hot tub, in fact, it's a really dangerous idea because the benefit of a hot tub on your physical body allows for your blood to flow to increase and if alcohol is consumed, it will have a faster affect and it may be a little too much. Anytime a beverage is being served in a hot tub, please, make sure it is not in a glass container but one made of plastic. This will ensure you and your guests will be safe from broken glass in the hot tub and the only way to remedy broken glass in your hot tub is to drain it completely and clean it out.

Luxury in a hot tub can even be the lighting that can be custom designed; there are waterfalls and hot tubs that allow for aromatherapy. All in all no matter what you pay for a hot tub and whether or not you have all the bells and whistles; by just having one, you will be enjoying luxury every time you step into it's healing warm waters.

Solar Heated Hot Tubs

mahony — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:02:34 +0000

Some people are concerned about the strain and cost they will encounter on their electric utility if they were to purchase a hot tub. Ingenious creators, eco-friendly, friends of the planet have come up with an option that will give you all of the amenities that a hot tub will afford you and they've made it so the tub is heated by solar power, not from a plug!

The first thing to consider when you're looking into purchasing a solar-heated hot tub is understand that this is a unit that will need to be outdoors. If your idea of the perfect hot tub setting is in a room of your home, there is likely to be an absence of sunlight that you will need to heat your tub. That said; the other consideration is the area where you live. If you live in a region that sees little sunlight then the solar-heated hot tub is not something that would work.

Let's say you live in an area that will sufficiently accommodate the solar-heated hot tub and you are comfortable with the idea of having it outside of the house, what next? Do you fill the hot tub and wait for the sunlight to heat it up? What about when the sun goes down, what happens to the heat that has accumulated during the daylight hours?

It is recommended that instead of having to wait for the sun to come out in order to enjoy a hot temperature of water, there are types of solar heat equipment that will allow you to store the heat that is solar generated in order to be used later when it is time to enjoy the benefits of the hot tub itself. It may appear to be an expense that is not worth it and it is an up-front expense, but the pay off is that by having the solar heated unit; you will never have to plug it in and further drain those resources. In the end, the cost saving measures that a solar heated hot tub will allow, far out weigh the need for electrical energy or propane gas.

Solar heated hot tubs, like their electric and propane powered counterparts will always benefit from the use of a safety cover that is designed to contain the heat generated, rather than having to waste time and money waiting for the water to heat up itself.

If you are considering an eco-friendly option for a hot tub, the solar heated hot tub is where you want to look. Keeping in mind that it will need to be outside, that indoors is not an option; you live in a region that is sunny enough to properly heat up the hot tub and you know ahead of time that there is the possibility of the cost for the solar heater, by all means, go solar. Know that you'll be able to reap the benefits of the use of a hot tub and you will be doing your part in the effort to protect the environment.

Buying A Hot Tub

mahony — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:20:34 +0000

The thought of buying a hot tub is both, exciting and terrifying, at the same time. How do you know what to choose? What is the best material for your tub to be made from, what about hydrotherapy jets, are they worth the extra cost? How tough is the maintenance of owning your own hot tub? What color should you pick? It may seem to be as difficult as buying a car, but rest assured, it is not that difficult at all, and here are some tips to keep in mind to make the process of buying a hot tub, easier for you.

First decide on the size of the hot tub you're looking for. How big is the space where the hot tub will be put? How many people do you intend to accommodate with your hot tub? Are you looking for an intimate, two person maximum or are you thinking more along the lines of the Roman baths and the more the merrier? Once you have determined the size you're interested in, next, move on to the price.

There are hot tubs out there for $1000.00 all the way up to $10,000.00 and everything in between! How much money are you thinking of spending? What can you afford? It's very easy to get lost in what you think you can afford and what you really can so be extra careful. If the hot tub is not something you can pay for without financing it, it's probably too much; and you will need to look for a lower priced model. Be realistic about the whole process because it would be much worse to have to give the hot tub up once you have had it for a while than never having had it in the first place.

What material should you go with? Tubs today are made from two materials in most cases; wood or fiberglass reinforced plastic. When tubs are made from wood they are usually made from hard woods like, Cedar, Redwood or Teak which are all capable of handling the presence and effects of water well and these are more traditional-looking, if that is what you are looking for. Plastic tubs are lighter, they tend to leak less than their wooden counterparts and more often are able to have more comfortable seating and seating options.

All hot tubs need maintenance, but the hot tubs of today are being made more efficiently than ever and the upkeep is nothing like it was 30 years ago. There are chemicals that will need to be added, shock treatments to keep your water clear, filters that should be washed weekly and replaced every 3-4 months.

The purchase of a hot tub can seem daunting but in the end, the benefits of your purchase will far out weigh any concerns you may have now. Get educated. Know what you're looking for BEFORE going into a dealership and don't get talked into something you can't afford!

In no time at all, you'll wonder how you ever lived without a hot tub in your life.

How Can A Hot Tub Help You Sleep

mahony — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:04:34 +0000

Maybe you never thought of the good it can do for you to soak in a hot tub for 15 or so minutes before you're ready for bed. Well, the fact is, just that simple activity can bring on a good, deep night's sleep. A night's sleep that is so good that when you wake up you're not still exhausted, you actually feel rested and rejuvenated.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that soaking in hot water, like you find in a hot tub or spa, before you head off to bed can ease the transition into a deeper, more fulfilling sleep.

If a person has pain of some sort, whether its mild to severe there is an anxiety that goes along with that that will often interfere with someone's sleep causing them to still feel like they didn't get enough sleep. By soaking in a hot tub for a half an hour or so before bed time will help alleviate the pain and if the pain is gone, so is the anxiety; and if the anxiety is gone there is an opportunity for a good night's sleep. In order to heal from pain and to even attempt any pain management, there is one basic necessity; sleep. Without rest and sleep it is very difficult to have any grip on pain management, without the use of drugs.

Medically, it is believed that physical health and mental health are intertwined and there is a good shot at mental health if a person's physical health is in good shape.

This whole idea of all of the aspects of our lives having an impact on one another sounds almost like, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" And like that age-old riddle the most important thing to understand is that one affects the other which affects the other. Which is more important to keep healthy? The answer is simply having an understanding of how all of these aspects of our lives affect one another has got us a step ahead of the game and that's the best place to be when it comes to our overall health.

Good sleep will work wonders for the rest of your healthy life and a way to get good sleep is to soak in a hot tub for up to 30 minutes before going off to bed. When you have a good night's sleep your body is able to rejuvenate and eventually heal it and that will bring about a healthy state of mind. A healthy state of mind will keep the physical body in tune and able to sleep fully and peacefully in keeping with the whole cycle.

It doesn't really matter which came first, "the chicken or the egg?" What matters is that all of the cycle affects the rest of the cycle and on and on and if that means soaking in a hot top for a few minutes a night to allow your body to get the rest it needs, then so be it. Not a big price to pay, huh?