Hot tub for pain relief?

[mineofuselessinformation]

Serious question, as I'm struggling with joint and back pain.
There is no chance it will be used as a 'sex pond' so no worries there, and likely that I'm the only one that will use it....
Now that's out of the way, any advice?
If you did get one and it helps, which one did you go for?
I'm a bit shocked at the prices as I last looked years ago.
TIA.

yes.
the jets are great, it's pretty much the same as hydrotherapy & a massage rolled into one!
we have 10-person monster because we have a big family so can't advise on a smaller size but if you can afford it get one.
we had ours for over a year and still use it almost every day (apart from maintenance).
it's brilliant for my shoulder, neck & feet problems & for DH's back & arm issues.
and just for relaxation.
In fact on cold days I'd jump in it straight after the school run to warm up!
love it.

I would love one for pain relief purposes. But as I also have awful eczema and sensitive skin it’s a no go.

That seems a very expensive way to explore pain relief to be honest.

I do find long hot baths in epsom salts helpful for chronic pain and muscular tension but I can't see there would be much additional benefit from a hot tub relative to the cost, set up and constant upkeep they require.

Have you seen the GP or been seen about the chronic pain OP? What is the cause?

Aside from medication, I find using gel packs kept in the fridge more helpful than heat sometimes. Tiger balm (or similar) can also help if you prefer non medicinal methods, a long pregnancy type pillow can offer relief in bed if placed between the knees (side sleeeping).

My MIL swears by hers with her joint aches. Do you have other heath issues? I don't think you should use them with certain heart conditions, high blood pressure, pregnancy etc.

Look into having the decking around it build up, so you walk up the decking stairs and can easily sit on the side to get in. Otherwise, it can be hard to get in.

Check reviews of how heavy the lid is to lift off. I know one brand which over time, the plastic in the lid degraded from the chemicals. This allowed moisture to sit in the sponge and made in incredibly heavy and almost impossible to lift off!

If you just want the heat and you're not fussed about the massage jets you could get an inflatable birth pool instead. Much cheaper and reusable

Thank you for the replies.
A couple of points to reply to - my bath is one of those eco-friendly ridiculously shallow ones (I'm not large, but can't submerge myself fully).
I have osteoarthritis and am hyper mobile. Recently I've developed piriformis syndrome, which is what has prompted my question. I'm sick of being in pain, to be honest.
No conditions which would stop me from having one.
@User0ne, are they useable outside? (I don't have the space indoors.)

We have an outdoor inflatable hot tub (Intex greywood). It's great for pain relief. I have chronic back and joint pain.

Love mine!

A nice soak in a hot tub is soooo great for aching muscles and back pain!! Worth every penny!

I don't have a hot tub, but I do have a high end jacuzzi bath (decently powerful - some of the cheap ones are rubbish) and I do find it beneficial for muscle tension and post-exercise (esp. exercise out and about when it's colder).

I've been looking, and will carry on, due to advice here. (But I'll make sure not to be a nuisance to my neighbours.)

I use ours practically daily. It is old, we got it second hand...half the jets don't work ... But I feel so fortunate to have it. It helps me to relax, which in turn helps my pain...but really I just enjoy being in it so it just helps me feel a bit better overall.

As an aside, it is excellent for developing a good tan in a controlled way. I spend a bit of time in there often and build up my tan very gradually, then cover myself or use high factor when not in it...I hate tan lines and use our tub naked.

Also ... I exercise in ours too. I do lots of stretched, use the side for push ups and do lots of kicking type of things. Low impact.

I just love my hot tub for taking away aches and pains. After a 12 hour shift on my feet 20 mins in the hot tub takes all aches and pains away. You can get a small 2 person hot tub if it’s just you.

hire one for a weekend and see if you like it.
also look at infra red or steam cabins or a sauna.

If you're hypermobile I would suggest trying one a few times before committing. It's lovely while I'm in there but agony coming out as all the relaxed muscles have to tense up suddenly to hold my joints together.

We use ours to ease joints - husband is an ageing runner and I’m just ageing. It is excellent at reducing the aches and increasing movement.

We have ours 16 years and bought it after we both had back operations. Its a 5 seater and my favourite is the bucket seat, theres a jet just at the right spot on my lower back, dh prefers the lying flat one esp on his calves. We use it all the time and it has definately been worth the money, it still looks good as new inside, (the outside needs a varnish tbh), running costs are ok, we buy the chemicals in bulk. Maintenance has been not too bad till now, some jets replaced, motors serviced every few years etc. We have a big service booked for Thursday and that one will cost, need 1 if not 2 new pumps, some jets and a new cover, but not bad for its age.

I've seen my osteopath today and asked her for her opinion. She said that several of her clients have one, and the ones that get the most benefit are those that use it regularly.
I have one sitting in my basket at a store a bit of a drive away, and will decide in the morning, but am erring on the side of going for it. I know what's entitled as I maintained an above ground pool years ago. I'm prepared to put the work in, in the hope that it will be good!

'Entitled'? Don't know where that came from. Needed.

I think you're also entitled to one, OP 😊

The dividing line is always- do you love marinating in hot water, or not? I do, I love it. As mentioned, I have an inflatable sex pond one; and we use it every evening.

Ours is out in the open; no immediate NDN. We climb in at 5.45pm for45 mins; 38 degrees, sometimes bubbles.

It's fantastic.

On, I'm right there with you @Miljea! I went for it (it's an inflatable one like yours). I've been in it at least twice a day ever since (three times yesterday as my back was in spasm from gardening). I even shoved a hat on (so my hair didn't get wet) when it was raining a couple of days ago. It is indeed marvellous, and as it's an all-year-round one, I'm seriously contemplating keeping it going through the winter - watch this space!

Just coming back to say I've been using it at least twice a day ever since.....
I don't wake up in pain any more, the hot tub allows me to do my stretching exercises really well, and the relaxation is marvellous. (I nearly fell asleep in it the other night.)
I'm now contemplating whether or not to get some kind of building to put it in over the winter....

that's really good to hear! glad you are feeling better for it.

we have a permanent cover over ours, it's great to stop us from getting sunburnt and we can use the tub even in the rain.

Oh I wish we had space - would really help with my busted back and my endometriosis pain I’m sure. Will definitely get one when we move!

I am hypermobile too OP and spent several occasions in a hot tub last week while away. It was very nice lying in it but I couldn't stand the jets. I wouldn't say it helped me at all. They are so expensive to buy and run.

@SinkGirl, mine is small - 2 to 4 people (it measures 1.7m diameter on the outside), and sits very happily on the patio that was already here. I have put down a foam mat underneath to protect it and provide insulation too.
@delilahbucket, yes, there is a cost - but given that I paid £45 an hour to my osteopath, I think I'm getting good value. (I do appreciate I'm lucky that I can afford to run it.) It costs around £10 a week to run, and for me, it's definitely worth the money.