Despite medication and other treatment methods like chiropractic treatments, KT tape for lower back pain, and using the best desk chair for sciatica, people continue to suffer from chronic back pain.
When medication isn’t working and you need a new option to treat back pain, most people will recommend hot therapy – particularly soaking in a hot tub.
But, what do you do when soaking in a hot tub makes back pain worse?
Hot Tub Makes Back Pain Worse: Causes and What to Do
Typically, heat therapy promotes healing by increasing blood flow to the muscles in the lower back.
Increased blood flow delivers more white blood cells, platelets, oxygen, and essential nutrients – all of which help repair damaged tissues and heal.
Heat also transfers from the skin surface deep into the muscles, and improves blood circulation into the muscles.
Causes. However, sometimes, soaking in a hot tub can make your back pain worse.
Why? If inflammation is part of the problem, applying heat, whether it’s as a heat compress or soaking in a hot tub, could increase the inflammation.
In these cases, it’s better to apply a cold compress or use cold water first to ease the inflammation, wait a bit, and then apply heat.
Another cause could be your bathtub itself.
There are a few features that you should pay close attention to.
The style of seating, jet type, heat controls, and water pressure will all play an important role in soothing your back pain.
Make sure to choose jets that have customizable positions, making your treatment more comfortable.
There are also there are a few precautions that you should always keep in mind:
- If taking any medications, make sure to review this with a physician first.
- Consult your doctor prior to using a hot tub to treat a medical condition.
- Strictly follow the temperature and soaking time limits as outlined in your manufacturer’s hot tub guide.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.
