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Health Benefits of Spas and Hot Tubs

Hot Spring^®Spas has become an official "Proud Sponsor" of the National Arthritis Foundation. One in six Americans—about 43 million people—has some form of arthritis. Although there are over 100 different kinds of arthritis, most are characterized by inflammation of the joints which causes swelling, pain and stiffness, often resulting in loss of joint movement or function.

Many people affected by arthritis seek relief by soaking in the warm, soothing waters of a spa*. A hot tub can provide the warmth, massage and buoyancy needed to both relax and exercise joints and muscles in the convenience and comfort of your own backyard. Relaxed muscles create an overall feeling of comfort which can then make it easier to perform exercises and carry out daily tasks.

If you know someone who is affected by the pain and discomfort of arthritis, a spa may bring the relief they need. A Hot Spring spa is the ultimate way to soothe stiff, sore muscles and joints through state-of-the-art hydromassage.

To obtain more information about how a spa can be helpful in easing arthritis pain and discomfort, call the Arthritis Foundation (1-800-283-7800) for a free brochure entitled "Water Exercise—Pools, Spas & Arthritis." Hot Spring Spas is committed to working with the Foundation to help support research, community education programs, and fund-raising activities.

* The use of hot water or heat is recommended for many people with arthritis but not all. Consult with your physician.

Spas and Sleep Disorders

Sure, spas help ease muscle and joint pain. But did you know they can help you get a good night's sleep as well? According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 132 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders including mild to chronic insomnia, pauses in breathing and snoring. The poll found that 48% of women and 38% of men suffer from insomnia more than one night a week. This number is on the rise as evidenced by the growing number of sleep disorder centers across the nation (approximately 3,000 in the U.S. today). According to a sleep therapy center in Louisville, KY, insomnia is the second most prevalent reason people go to the doctor (after pain).

Sleep researchers believe that many cases of insomnia can be traced to hectic, stressful lifestyles lived by basically healthy people. The results of sleep deprivation are varied and may cause battered nerves, grogginess, lapses in memory, depression, and erratic mood swings.

So how can you help your body enter a deep sleep? According to a recent study in the scientific journal Sleep, a drop in body temperature can help to ease your body into a deeper, more relaxing sleep. Therefore it is suggested that you soak in very hot water (103° F) approximately 90 minutes before bedtime. This causes the body's internal thermostat to pull your temperature down, enabling sleep to set in with more ease. An ideal way to achieve this is to take a 15-minute soak in a spa. This therapeutic use of warm water is called hydromassage. The beauty of a spa-induced sleep is that it is a natural remedy, unlike alternative sleeping aids such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies and alcohol—all of which can make you feel groggy and have other adverse side effects.

Hot Spring supports the National Sleep Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting sleep education advocacy and research. To obtain a free brochure entitled "Helping Yourself to a Good Night's Sleep," contact the National Sleep Foundation. Their headquarters are located at:

729 Fifteenth Street,
NW, Fourth Floor,
Washington DC, 20005

As a precaution, always consult with your physician before deciding to use a spa.

Spas and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

For the more than 16 million people who have diabetes, help may be as close as the nearest hot tub. A recent study by a Colorado researcher published in the New England Journal of Medicine brings the benefits of hot tub therapy to the surface and sheds new light on the advantages of spa ownership. According to the study, soaking in a hot tub can be beneficial for people who are affected with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. With this type of diabetes, people can often control their condition with regular exercise and a good diet. Unfortunately, many diabetics are physically unable to endure rigorous activity and maintain a steady weight. In a recent study conducted by Dr. Philip Hooper at the McKee Medical Center in Colorado, eight people with Type 2 Diabetes were placed in a hot tub for 30 minutes a day for three consecutive weeks. The results indicated that patients reported a 13% reduction in blood sugar levels, improved sleep and an increase in their overall sense of well being. If you or someone you know is affected by diabetes, relaxing in a spa might bring needed relief. A Hot Spring spa is the ultimate way to relax, unwind and relieve tension through state-of-the-art massage. For more information on the results of this study, visit the New England Journal of Medicine Web site at www.nejm.org. For more information regarding Diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association Web site at www.diabetes.org.

* Source: The New England Journal of Medicine September 16, 1999; 341:924-925. Hot Spring Spa of North County shall not be liable for any errors in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Always consult with your physician before using a spa.

Thank you for visiting our web site and for your interest in our spas. Please note that spas can NOT be shipped outside of our immediate area. As much as we would like to have every visitor to our website as a customer, it is not feasible to ship unwrapped spas across country. Thank you for your understanding. If you reside outside of Southern California, e-mail us with your city and zip code so that we can reply with the dealer nearest you.