Soaking your body in warm water is one of the oldest forms of therapy to help soothe muscle pain. Hydrotherapy is not a myth. It is scientifically proven that warm water loosens joints and reduces pain. In fact, many patients suffering from arthritis participate in water aerobics because the buoyancy of the water eases pressure on your joints. Simply soaking in a hot tub will relieve pain, but by tying exercise together with soaking, you will recover faster. If you’re currently suffering from knee pain, speak to your doctor and try these hot tub exercises. The best water temperature for pain treatment is between 27 to 31 degrees celsius. The point is to keep the water warm, not hot. Simply relaxing in the hot tub is great, but if you’re still able to move, the warm water surrounding you provides the best environment for some gentle exercise. Not only does the water lift away the pressure of gravity on your limbs, it also provides full support for your knees. The high temperature stimulate blood flow and reduce swelling and inflammation. Your stiff muscles will also be relaxed and frozen joints will be loosened.
Exercising in hot tubs to relieve knee pain mainly target the quadriceps. By strengthening quadricep muscles, knee pain, including arthritis, will alleviate. Quadriceps are the group of four muscles located in the front of your thighs. They run from your hips down to your knees and absorb the shock and pressure from walking and bending. The stronger your quadriceps are, the less impact it will cause on your knees. The buoyancy of water encourage freer movements while the resistance of water help build more muscle strength.
Before you start exercising, warm up your body with some gentle stretching. There are two exercises you can perform in your hot tub. One is the leg lift in which you sit straight in the hot tub with bent knees forming a 90 degree angle. Then, lift your left leg until it is parallel to the ground and hold it for 3 seconds while keeping your right leg bent. Lower your left leg and repeat the process with your right leg. Another exercise is quad contractions. Sit near the edge of the seat in your hot tub with your feet flat and back straight. Then, lift both your legs off the seat for 4 inches while squeezing your quadriceps. Hold them up for 10 seconds, relax for 3 seconds, and repeat the drill 10 times.
Remember to always consult your doctor before you attempt any of these exercises. Sometimes improper exercise will worsen your condition. Never assume! It doesn’t hurt to ask. If you are interested in hydrotherapy and are looking to purchase a hot tub, feel free to book an appointment today with Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs. When under proper guidance, warm water and exercise combined together will greatly improve your condition. Don't hesitate to contact us today at 905-294-8030, or with an email at online@seawaypoolsntubs.com.
