Taking a bath is good for you and your heart. In fact, a new study shows that taking at least five hot baths a week with a temperature of 90ºF-104ºF lasting on average 12.4 minutes can improve cardiovascular health for seniors.
Hot water immersion & hydrotherapy can significantly strengthen the cardiovascular system and help with heart health by improving circulation, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and could be a useful lifestyle intervention to preserve cardiovascular function.
Hot baths use a method called passive heat and may provide many health benefits including better blood sugar management, relief from musculoskeletal pain, and improve mood and mental health.
However, a 2021 study found that also complementing hot water immersion with hydrotherapy, similar to being in a hot tub or spa therapy, was more effective than physiotherapy at improving pain, stiffness, and muscle strength after total knee arthroplasty.
SCIENCE-BACKED BENEFITS
Improved circulation: Hot water immersion increases blood circulation.
Lower blood pressure: The heat from a hot bath dilates blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure.
Stress reduction: spa therapy can help reduce stress levels.
Improved sleep: spa therapy can help you relax physically and mentally, which can improve your sleep quality.
Cardiovascular workout: The increased heart rate from a hot hydrotherapy bath can provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout.
“Stretching and moving in the water also provides a low-impact workout for discomfort in muscles, joints and bones.”
While hot tub therapy is extremely beneficial for your health and wellness, you might find gaining access to an outdoor hot tub difficult especially in the winter months, along with chemical treatment and the maintenance required onerous.
SOLUTION: If you are an older adult aging in place, you are now planning for a fall-free future, and you are looking for products that are easy to use with little to no maintenance required.
ComfortSeries™ by American Standard provides a personal hot tub therapy experience, but it’s both a bathtub and a shower. ComfortSeries™ addresses your concern for accessibility and ease of use. It provides everything you need in a bathroom to provide the ultimate therapy benefits that you are looking for; but read on to see how these additional benefits support your health and wellness.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Muscle relaxation: the hot water and massaging action of the tub jets can effectively relax and soothe tight and tense muscles, helping to ease aches and pains. A tub soak before exercising may also reduce the risk of injury.
“Stress causes the muscles of the body to contract. A hot bath can relieve those symptoms and keep the muscles loose.” -Dr. Mark Khorsandi, migraine surgeon
Pain Relief: soaking in a ComfortSeries™ tub may relieve some types of pain by relaxing tense muscles, joints and tendons. If you have arthritis, the heat and massaging action of a ComfortSeries™ tub may help ease the stiffness and inflammation that cause pain.
Water supports your body and takes weight off joints, which helps improve flexibility and range of motion.
Improved Insulin Sensitivity: A study from 2019 and another from 2022 suggests that regular thermal therapy using hot baths or saunas may improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and better blood sugar management in a population with marked insulin resistance. This could mean that using a ComfortSeries™ tub may also be beneficial for managing diabetes.
“Your skin releases endorphins in response to the soothing warm water the same way that endorphins are released when you feel the sun on your skin. Submerging ourselves in hot water can be both therapeutic and reinvigorating because blood flow increases to the skin.”-Dr. Bobby Buka
Improvement in Mood & Mental Health: A 2021 study comparing results of people who took submersion baths versus those who took showers found that routine immersion bathing appeared more beneficial to mental and physical health than routine shower bathing without immersion. With added Chromatherapy as a supportive therapy technique, you can restore health imbalances through coloured LED light. Studies have found that people with rheumatoid arthritis require fewer pain medications when they use Aromatherapy.
Tips to Improve Your ComfortSeries™ Hydrotherapy Session:
Bath Water Temp: make sure that your bath water is not hotter than 104°F (40°C);
Drink Water: drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated; before, during & after your bath;
Timing: a ComfortSeries™ bathing session will auto end after 20 minutes. You can restart your jets, however if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or have nausea, stop and cool off before resuming;
Maintenance: a ComfortSeries™ bathtub has a Self-Cleaning Ozone Sanitation System which substitutes the need for harsh hot tub chemicals. Being healthier and more beneficial for you, you will need to keep your bathtub wiped clean, and deep-cleaned once per month (see your Owner’s Guide) to ensure optimal Health Benefits.
**People with certain heart conditions such as heart disease, angina, or arrhythmia, should always consult a doctor before using hot tub hydrotherapy.
Now you know why a bath is far more beneficial than a shower. Are you considering making a change to update your shower or your current bathtub?
American Standard Walk-in Tubs Canada provides installation service so that you have peace of mind:
- that the product selected is for your specific needs;
- that all installation & Code requirements are met and exceeded;
- that an operations review is completed with you;
- that you receive a quality 150 year name-branded ComfortSeries™ hydrotherapy tub by American Standard;
- that you receive a Lifetime Warranty including labour costs on your ComfortSeries™ hydrotherapy tub.
