August 17, 2021

 

Do you ever wonder why people enjoying a good bubble bath take so long in the bathtub?  Not only is it soothing and calming, but it’s actually good for you.

Of course, baths take longer than showers so it might not be as convenient, but the benefits of a bath far outweigh that of a shower.

Ileana Poules-Brunet agrees, and has written several lifestyle articles about it.  However, American Standard has been in the bathroom business for almost 150 years, so we know a thing or two about bathrooms, healthy living, bathing science and health benefits.

 

Here’s why a Bath is better for your Health:

1. Youthfulness and Age Delay

Dermatologists will tell you that bathing can reduce skin complications like acne, and reduce the aging process.

For those that are frequently stressed by everyday life, circumstances, health (both physical and emotional), the stress hormone Cortisol will be elevated.  Elevated Cortisol levels can increase blood pressure, cause weight gain, fatigue, irritability and headaches, but can also lead to anxiety or depression.  According to Premier Health, Cortisol narrows the arteries, while another hormone Epinephrine, increases your heart rate, forcing your blood to pump harder and faster.  This also increases blood sugar levels that your pancreas may struggle with, whether or not it can keep up with the demand for insulin.

Long-term elevated Cortisol can also suppress your immune system, thereby making you more susceptible to colds and illness, and the inability to reduce inflammation.

We know that Inflammation is at the root cause of almost all illnesses.

 

1. Sore Muscle Relief

When muscles are sore, we usually apply hot compresses or heating pads.  A warm bath encourages the circulation of blood around your body.  The increased blood flow provides your muscles with more oxygen and nutrients.  This improves the elasticity of the connective tissues, releases muscle tightness, and relieves pain.  Healthline states that heat therapy works by improving circulation and blood flow to a particular area due to increased temperature, and can actually heal damaged tissue.

 

When you are bathing, you are submerged in warm to hot water, which not only relieves the muscles in your body, but the buoyancy in water relieves pressure from sore joints as well.

Muscle Recovery can occur in just 15 minutes

2. Lower Blood Sugar Levels and Improved Blood Pressure

Always check with your doctor before starting a new therapy, but they usually agree that a warm bath may be the best option for you.

 

While exercise for seniors is important for overall wellness, as is a healthy eating plan; taking a warm bath might be just as good if you are looking to burn a few extra calories.  Soaking in an hour-long hot bath can burn as many calories (around 140) as a 30 minute walk according to a 2017 study led by Dr. Faulkner at Loughborough University in London.  Warm water raises your temperature and makes your heart beat faster.  This is good for cardiovascular health, because your body must work harder to maintain the appropriate internal temperature, which accelerates the body’s ability to burn fat.  Hot baths also improve the body’s anti-inflammatory response, just like exercising.

4. Heart Healthy

A new study from Japan reports that hot baths can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.  Bathing is a key part of Japanese culture, and they found that the risk for hypertension/cardiovascular disease and stroke is significantly decreased.   30,000 Japanese adults were tracked for 20 years during this study, which showed 26-28% lower risk, but by using hot baths, this number jumped to a 35% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

5. Insomnia Help

According to TheSleepDoctor and Princess Cruise Line’s spokesperson & Luxury Bed Developer Dr. Michael Breus, warm baths have been a well known remedy for years for people with insomnia, because warm water relaxes the body and helps core body temperatures to drop afterwards.  It also signals the pineal gland in your brain to produce melatonin (your sleep hormone).  The best time for a bath is 1-2 hours prior to going to bed.  According to Dr. Shahab Haghayegh, it’s called the Power-Down Hour.  Warm to hot baths help muscles to relax, reducing arthritic pain, and increases circulation to reduce swelling and inflammation.  Reducing pain also helps you to get a good night’s sleep.

6. Stress-Relief

As with all stress-relieving techniques, some form of meditation is required along with wellness therapies.  Some examples are:

• creating a calming atmosphere
• imagining the temporary feeling of escape from stressors
• Chromatherapy
• Aromatherapy
• Focussing on your muscles relaxing and the sensations that you are feeling

 

Meditating (or simple mindfulness) while the bathtub is filling, and during your bathing and hydrotherapy session will help to heal, and assist you on your wellness journey.

 

 

7. Some Baths Are Just as Clean (if not cleaner) Than Showers

If you are washing off or soaking from a normal day, a bath will clean you the same as a shower.  If you have dirt or bacteria on you, then a shower may be a quick way to eliminate the dirt, however, bathtubs such as American Standard’s ComfortSeries™️ have an Ozone Sanitation System built in.  This means bacteria is killed 3000+ times faster than chlorine, and eliminates any disease-causing organisms.  It is completely safe, and actually improves the water quality in your bathtub; it eliminates dirt/grime ring that bathing may leave by oxidizing oils, salts & soaps by removing those particles from the water.  It’s so much cleaner than a shower!

 

 

Taking a bath has many health benefits, from decreased stress to better heart health and blood circulation.  If you are interested in promoting relaxation, easing fatigue and treating chronic pain, a bath might be the choice for you.  With a ComfortSeries™️ walk-in tub, everyone can take advantage of this relaxing and beneficial therapy because it’s also accessible for safety.

 

The best way for you to take action & start to heal and reduce pain, is to reconsider what a bath can really do for you.  And when you are ready to combine that with a universal safe option for bathing, our professionals will help:  our personalized service team helps you determine the best product for your needs, and our professional installations take only just one day.

 

For more information:  American Standard Walk-in Tubs Canada  1-844-867-7737

Written by on July 18, 2017

Have you ever taken a long soak in a hot bath at the end of the day? If so, you may already understand how water can be used to treat physical symptoms and ailments. This is the basis of hydrotherapy. It helps ease sore muscles and alleviate pain, while also providing restorative and relaxation benefits.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water in treatment for conditions such as arthritis or partial paralysis. With hydrotherapy, water can be incorporated in one of three ways: steam, like what’s used in a sauna; ice packs; or hot tubs or whirlpools. But how does it work, exactly? First, it’s important to understand the effects of water temperature. Cool water constricts blood vessels to help with inflammation, while hot water dilates blood vessels, which helps to reduce stiffness. In many hydrotherapy sessions, the user will alternate between a cool and hot water tub to help improve circulation and boost hormonal function.

Hydrotherapy Isn’t Just for Athletes

Many athletes turn to hydrotherapy to help loosen up tight muscles or ease pain after a grueling workout, game, or race. But it’s not only the pros that benefit from this type of care.

Aging doesn’t have to mean inactivity, and it’s important for seniors to continue with regular exercise. As the days grow longer, you may spend more time outdoors and become increasingly active. Neighborhood walks, gardening, and tai chi are all good outdoor activities for low-impact exercise to help stay healthy and fit. However, even a few hours of extra activity can cause sore muscles or unexpected aches. This is when to take advantage of the therapeutic benefits that come from a walk-in tub.

Hydrotherapy is also commonly incorporated into physical therapy treatment plans. According to Nurse.com, caregivers believe the warm temperature of water mixed with the buoyancy helps their patients make better progress in their physical therapy. Hydrotherapy is often used on its own, but sometimes will be used to complement other types of therapies, depending on a person’s treatment plan. Some of the common ailments that hydrotherapy can be used for include:

• Arthritis;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Headaches;
• Joint pain;
• Poor circulation;
• Sciatica; and more.

Hydrotherapy at Home

If you own a walk-in tub, you have direct access to the powers of hydrotherapy right in your own home, whenever you may need rehabilitation or self-care. Moreover, with our walk-in tubs you can customize your bathing experience however you’d like.

Our Revitajet® Whole Body Hydrotherapy System is made up of 44 strategically placed water and air jets to help you concentrate on the areas that need it most. You can direct the flow on your lower back, legs, or anywhere that’s feeling extra sore or tense. Or, you can choose to have all of them running at once for a full, whirlpool-type experience.

The healing powers of water are heightened when implemented through hydrotherapy, and this is just one of the benefits and features of our walk-in tubs. It’s an investment that will continue to benefit your health, safety, and well-being!

Written by American Standard on December 10, 2020

Hot baths help with a long list of medical complaints. No matter whether you’re living with headaches or dry skin, a soak in the tub can be a simple and effective at-home therapy. You can also try a hot bath for muscle recovery.

Although studies debate whether you’re better off taking a hot or cold bath for sore muscles, most people find the idea of hopping into a tub filled with cold water unpleasant. That’s why we focus on hot baths! Read on to find out why a hot bath for sore muscles could be the best way to relieve your pain and improve your mood.

What Causes Sore Muscles?

Everyone experiences sore muscles at some point in their lives. If you lead an active life, sore muscles may be a result of injuries. When you damage a nerve, disk, or vertebra, the surrounding muscles will often contract around the affected part of your body to prevent any further damage. While this is a critical biological response, the resulting muscle spasms can cause you more stress and discomfort.

Medical conditions may also be at the root of your muscle pain. Poor circulation, Parkinson’s disease, and autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis can cause muscle soreness. If you’re using ACE inhibitors to lower your blood pressure or statins to lower your cholesterol, you may also suffer from muscle aches.

Whatever the cause of your soreness, the pain can put your body in a state of increased stress, which can cause you to feel even more stiff and achy.

Why You Should Try a Hot Bath for Muscle Recovery

Here are four reasons to try a hot bath for sore muscles.

1. Relieve Muscle Stress Throughout the Body

Doctors and physical therapists often recommend heat therapy for muscle pain. You may have used a heat pack to reduce muscle soreness in a targeted area. Heat packs warm the skin and help you relax, but they can’t penetrate your muscles very effectively. Taking a hot bath for muscle recovery combines complete heat therapy with hydrotherapy, which can increase relaxation thanks to the buoyancy of the water.

A hot bath allows for a full-body release as all your muscles are thoroughly warmed and relaxed. The warm water loosens spasms and releases tension from surrounding muscles that may have been compensating for your injury. If your tub features water jets, you can even massage multiple areas of your body to soothe any stubborn aches.

2. Improve Blood Circulation for More Supple Muscles

A warm bath encourages the circulation of blood around your body. The increased blood flow provides your muscles with more oxygen and nutrients. This improves the elasticity of the connective tissues, releases muscles tightness, and relieves pain. Not surprisingly, bathing is an excellent way to combat muscle soreness from poor circulation.

Provided your aches are not a result of an injury, you can also try some light stretches in a hot bath for muscle recovery. Because your muscles are more supple and relaxed, you can safely train your flexibility and soothe your muscles. What’s more, the buoyancy of the bath can make some movements easier.

3. Easily Customize Your Bath for Different Needs

Unlike many pain-relief treatments, a bath is a versatile therapy session. As well as taking a hot bath for sore muscles, you can design your bath time around your specific needs and mood.

For example, if your muscle soreness is caused by injury or rheumatoid arthritis, you can add sea salt, lavender oil, or chamomile oil to the water. These natural products can reduce inflammation to ease your muscle pain. On the other hand, if your muscle soreness comes from stress and tension, you can try adding rose oil to your hot bath for muscle recovery. Having a wide range of bathing options makes your experience more varied and enjoyable.

4. Experience Muscle Recovery in Just 15 Minutes

A hot bath can be a long and luxurious activity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get results from a shorter soak each day. In fact, a hot bath for muscle recovery needn’t last more than 15 to 20 minutes. After that, the bath water will start to cool and become less effective for muscle relaxation.

You may be tempted to run a hotter bath so you can enjoy the warm water for longer, but do not exceed 105 degrees. A bath that is too hot can prevent relaxation and dehydrate you very quickly, which can make muscle soreness worse. Make sure you feel comfortable in the water and keep a glass of water by the tub.

Soothe Your Muscles With a Safe Bathing Experience

Regularly taking hot baths for sore muscles can help soothe your aches and pains. With 44 strategically located air and water jets, our walk-in tubs ensure a safe, relaxing, and accessible hydrotherapy experience you can enjoy every day. To find out if a walk-in tub is right for you, contact us and we will help you.