The benefits of hot water
 

Intresting article on water.
http://medicspa.blogspot.com/2007/09...rotherapy.html

Have to tell you,
 

This article is so true I believe! For many years I suffered from the dreaded and much discussed Fibromyalgia. Many years. I was tested out the kazoo, and that was the diagnosis. We now know I had the beginnings of sero-negative Sjogrens and sero-negative (proven with xrays instead) rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid is now showing up in my bloodwork whenever we decrease my medicine. I'm now 4 years (or more, who knows) into the Sjogren's and it sometimes takes 7 years or more to show up in bloodwork.....I'm getting off the original subject. Happens everytime I post after I've taken the nightime meds.

Water..hot moving water...is so good for the fibro type pain. I tried a friend's hot tub once. Had to be coaxed into it, but loved it, loved it and slept like a baby that night. So we had the master bath remodeled and put a smaller version (but not too small) of the hot tub put in. Size was not my choice, it was a remodel remember. It was larger than the standard tubs now and it has 4 jets. But I used it like a bathtub. And I slept like a baby the first time I used it. Sometimes went to sleep in the tub. Before the tub, I slept maybe an hour a night and sometimes not at all. I had to quit using it after the knee surgery. I can no longer bend enough to get up and down in the tub. I look at that tub on days like today. (I haven't been warm the whole day) And I long for that thing.

If you can afford this I urge you to do it. I think you will think it's money well spent. Our medical insurance paid for mine. The doctor wrote a letter of medical necessity stating that I needed continous whirlpool therapy and this tub would fill that requirement. Just wish I could get them to pay for one of those that you walk into and sit down. Probably would be as good as one that lets you lie down with a tub pillow on your head.

Billye

Whenever I am able to get to my gym, I go into the whirlpool.

I've been doing this since I'm 20. I would just sit against the jets and have those jets pulsing out all those water bubbles right at my knee or neck.

It's the most amazing feeling. I would live in a whilrpool if I could.

I never could understand those Polar Bear people, the ones who jump into the ice cold water at the beach during the winter time. They never get sick, they are all ages and they love the icy water.

You couldn't get me to do this if you paid me money.

I hate the cold.

I have been a hydrotherapy "fanatic" for most of my professional career, and personally, also. But not just the hot water soak. The article didn't go far enough. In a therapeutic pool, the hydrostatic pressure of the water if you are standing chest deep is great enough to push fluid up from you feet, ankles, and legs to thoroughly and significantly treat your vascular system. And you can stretch tissues, muscles and joints in the water to a far greater extent in the water than you can on land. I used to suffer from fibromyalgia (admittedly self-diagnosed), but successfully treated it with 4 x week pool exercise therapy. Warm water soaks will also heal minor wounds and clear up minor skin infections.

Avoiding most warm water
 

For me, anything warmer than tepid water aggravates the burning I have in my hands and feet. So I shower in water that is warm but not hot, and avoid hot dishwater and anything that brings the temp up. Cool and cold water do a great job of numbing pain for me but not always available.

Tom in AZ (yes, in the summer here I cradle in my hands a bottle of cold water a lot!!!)

Aussie,

I couldn't agree more! I am in aqua therapy right now and in 93+ degree water. It is wonderful! And I swear to everyone here, after that very first session, I had NO burning in my feet for 3-4 days! But, keep in mind I also have lumbar/sacral issues; some of it may radiculopathy instead.

What is really nice is that I have a PT working one on one with me. And I have about 4 sessions left. After that I want to join the class that is specifically designed for those with neurological issues. Actually, this Rehab center focuses mainly on spinal disorders and neurological problems. I love it so far! And now I know why my Neurologist suggested it to me. :)

My husband and I are also in the beginning stages of remodeling our bathroom. We want to do several things. But it just so happens my daughter's fiance does a LOT of installing and remodeling. So, he is giving us some ideas. Now it is just up to me to find out what type of tub I want when we take out the garden tub we have now. And I would love to have one with more jets and/or one that I can stand or sit down in. The garden tub we have now just doesn't have enough jets to suit me and it sooo difficult to get in and out of. Anyway, I have to do the research. And maybe the doc would write a script for it too considering all the spinal issues for myself and husband both. I just don't know but it sure would be nice! :)

If I could get a script for a tub with jets, I would be in heaven. I don't think insurance companies would pay for such a thing here.I don't reckon the gov't would either. A bathtub like that can costs thousands. Too rich for my blood!:D

I too have been in warm pool therapy for the last two months, my PT is now my friend, while I do my cross country skiing in the deep end with my floatation, ankle flippers and foam dumbbells we have good conversations. She was furious that the rheumie said I had parvo, after that I did my little experiment, over the first weekend of the year I took the lowest dose of my hubbies prednisone, three days worth. The pain in my knees and neck disappeared, that was proof in the pudding, I am sad to say the rheumy now agrees I have sero-negative inflammortory arthritis, enter my own script for prednisone. He also did a more thorough exam and I also have hyper-flexion syndrome, meaning my joints are too flexible, that said I have more going on than I want to have to deal with. I am saddened that I will forever have to deal with things I can no longer do, so I will savor my time in the pool, thirty minutes of no pain three times a week. It feels so good, no burning, locking spine, stiff neck.
Rheumy has written letter for first my hubby then for me that we need hydro-therapy at home, and if we could afford the endless pool we would. I can't commit to that expense when I don't know if I can work a year from now, two years from now.....you all know that feeling. The bright side is that eight years ago when we added on to the house I demanded a jacuzzi until my hubby gave in, guess who used it the most? I use it when the burning in my feet isn't bad and it's heaven but it's a water hog and a real treat for me to clean. These days I have to climb inside to scrub it and I go on a rant when it hasn't been rinsed out by the "user" before me.
I also have script for medical membership to the health club where I take my PT so I can continue after I am released, the biggie there will be forcing myself to go, but my credit union where I work is building right across the street so I am hoping I can spend my lunch hour there. I am great at procrastinating my way through life, my worst habit. Anyone out there that hasn't tried warm pool therapy-GO-you won't regret it, just forget how you look in a bathing suit, we aren't sixteen anymore and God knows most of us don't want to be!:D

Aussie,

It is a bit much LOL! The garden tub I have now has 4 jets...they just aren't enough. Last year we looked into "swim in place" pool/combo hydrotherapy. The problem wasn't the cost of it; the expense was in the laying of concrete outside and on and on. And, yes, I know, I printed off a copy of the indoor tub I would like to have and my husband laughed. But there are some that are not as outrageous.

Jannaw,

I couldn't agree with you more. I think everyone, if they can stand it, should try therapy in a warm water pool. It has made such a difference in my pain levels. :) Oh, and I am not using it as a quick fix. I know the spinal issues are still there and continiuing on...I just use this as pain MANAGEMENT. :)

OK Folks...
 

because my balance is so bad and my strength not enough to get me OUT of the tub...

WHERE IS THE FORKLIFT?

Nuff said. - j

I want to take a bubble bath! - j

PS Aussie, good find.