HISTORY OF SPAS AND HOT TUBS
The oldest known spa (mineral bath) still in existence is in Merano Italy where there is evidence of organized use of the spring dating back 5000 years ago.
It is thought that the Egyptians used baths for therapeutic purpose as early as 2000 B.C... The earliest forms of hot tubs were simply a caldera in which sizzling stones had been placed to heat the water.
The Greeks:
Mineral and thermal baths showed up later in history around 500 B.C in Greece. The early Greek Baths were built near natural hot springs or volcanoes. Greek celebrities and the elite would meet at these natural hot springs to exchange philosophical views and treat physical ailments. Hippocrates (460-375 B.C.), believed to be the founder of medicine, recommended hydrotherapy for the treatment of disorders such as jaundice and rheumatism.
The Romans:
The Romans also enjoyed the mineral water, but the ancient Roman baths were more recreational areas used by hundreds of citizens at a time as opposed personal hygiene and hydrotherapy. Stone bath tubs were serviced by elaborate aqueduct system carrying mineral waters throughout complex private rooms, steam rooms and public baths. The largest of all Roman baths was the Diocletian. It was completed in A.D. 305 and covered an area 130,000 sq. yards.
Romans would first go to the unctuarium where they had oil rubbed onto their skin. Next they would move to the tepidarium or warm room where they would lie around chatting. From there, it was on to the hot and steamy caldarium, similar to a Turkish bath. Here they sat and perspired, scraping their skin with a curved metal tool. After a dip in the caldarium (hot bath) they would take a quick dip in the frighidarium (cold bath).
The Spa:
Once part of the Roman Empire (now east of Belgium), the town of Spa is where the word "Spa" (originally Hungarian) became a generic expression referring to natural springs and surrounding areas where people came to relax and take "The Cure".
The British:
The Water of Bath, England were used for healing purposes from about 800 B.C. and the British royalty continued to use the waters well into the 20th century. Around 1589 according to historians, Queen Elizabeth I insisted on bathing at least once amonth, "whether she needed it or not". Five baths were established within the town including the King's Bath and Cross Bath which became a popular spa with lepers and rheumatics.
The Japanese:
A family custom for centuries in Japan is the "ofuro" or hot water bathing in freestanding wooden tubs. Occupational force brought the knowledge of this custom back home with them after World War II.
The United States
Native Americans enjoyed the health of natural springs even before European settlers arrived. In many instances, these natural springs were used for magical and religious purposes as well as hygienic. One of the oldest spas in North American colonies is believed to have been in Berkeley springs (later known as Warm Springs) of West Virginia.
One of the most popular of the early colonial springs for hydrotherapy was Saratoga Springs in New York. It was carefully guarded by settlers until 1767, when according to legend; Iroquois people helped Sir William Johnson recover from illness by recommending the "medicine springof the Great Spirit". Johnson attracted more visitors seeking remedies from illness with his tales of recovery including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and General Philip Schuyler.
The post-revolutionary "floating swimming bath" or "swimming cribs" was introduced in 1791 in Philadelphia PA. These water therapy inventions of canvas and wood were staked into a river or lake bottom and sometimes tethered to the shore.
In 1915, the general public became aware of pools and spa as a way of life when Francis X. Bushman installed the first one in Hollywood.
As a footnote to the history of the hot tub and water therapy, Franklin D. Roosevelt received therapeutic baths and muscle treatments for his dibilitating pain of polio during his administration from 1933-1945 He made Warm Spring,Co., his "little White House" and didicated the treatment facility to others with disabilities.
The Emergence of the Hot Tub:
The first wooden hot tubs began to appear in the 1960's in California. Inspired by the Japanese ofuro, these early prototypes were still made from oak barrals, wine tanks and olive vats. Redwood hot tubs then began to appear, but often leaked and were difficult to keep clean.
The Jacuzzi:
In 1954, an Italian family of seven brothers lead by Joseph developed and patented a portable whirlpool pump out of necessity for an ailing relative suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The pump was later refined and coupled with jets using an air injection system that produced a froth of bubbles. This air-water mixture proved to be highly therapeutic and this invention spawned an industry that made Jacuzzi a household name.
The rest is, shall we say, "history".
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Hydrotherapy, Hot Tubs, And Spas
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy or "water therapy" is the treatment of health problem through the use of water. The focus of hydrotherapy is to rid the body of toxins that maybe causing joint pain and inflammation.
History of Hydrotherapy
The benefits of hydrotherapy have been recognized for thousands of years and are especially popular in Europe where there are numerous health spas and health facilities for all types of hydrotherapy treatments. European techniques and spa treatment have evolved over centuries achieving a high level of sophistication.
How Does Hydrotherapy Work?
The benefits of hydrotherapy are due to its thermal and mechanical effects, which employ the body's reaction to hot and cold stimuli, Nerves at the surface of the skin carry impulses deep into the body. This process seems to be instrumental in lessening pain sensitivity, invigoration blood flow and circulation, increasing the stress hormones and stimulating the immune system.
Hydrotherapy's more conventional uses are the treatment of musculo weakness, balance disorders, diabetes and other diseases that impair circulation, cramps, premesntrual syndrome, arthritis, back pain, muscular-skeletal and soft tissue injuries.
Heat has the tendency to quiet and soothe the body while slowing down the activity of internal organs. A soak in a hot tub is said to help when experiencing tense muscles and anxiety from stress. Water in motion stimulates touch receptors on the skin releasing tight muscle and boosting blood circulation. The circulation water of a hot tub or spa provides a massage like feeling.
Using Hydrotherapy for the Lower Back
In the United States, lower back pain is the second most common reason that millions of people visit the doctor.
A sturdy published in the British Journal of Rheumatology in 1995 provided ev idence that Hydrotherapy has short and long term benefits for people with lower back pain.
In a forty person study at the University of Minnesota 85% of the participants chose a whirlpool bath over a still bath. Both were effective in reducing anxiety, but only the whirlpool bath was effective at reducing the participant's reactivity to stress.
Researchers in France published a later study in the Journal of Rheumatology confirming the University of Minnesota results. After three weeks of consistent spa therapy, examinations showed a marked improvement in health status (measured in back flexibility and pain duration and intensity) of the spa treatment group over the medication-only group. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics also decreased in the spa treatment group. Source March, April 1996 issue of Arthritis Today.
Treating Arthritis With Hydrotherapy
The joints have the tendency to swell and stiffen with heavy to moderate exertion as we get older. The use of heat is recommended for many people suffering from arthritis and hydrotherapy is a great way to distribute and deliver heart to many parts of the body. The buoyancy of water reduces body weight by approximately 85-90% and provides a relaxing feeling of weightlessness. Many doctor advise people with sore joints to soak in warm water in the morning before starting their daily activities.
Alternating cold and hot baths stimulates circulation and seems to be beneficial for treating the hands and feet, which is beneficial for arthritic joints and aching feet. The application of heat also eases muscle tension, is soothing and relieves pain.
Hydrotherapy Treatment for Insomnia
According to the National Sleep Foundation it is estimated that over 132 million people in the United States suffer from some type of sleep disorder.
Rosalind Cartright, the director of Sleep Disorders Service and Research Center suggested that soaking in a hot tub could reset the body thermostat, so people would wake up more rested.
Soaking in a hot tub seems to be is a great way to repair ravaged nerves while giving one a better night of sleep.
Hydrotherapy Benefits for Diabetes
In the September 16, 1999 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, it is suggested that the benefits if exercise and the use of hydrotherapy from the use of spas had positive effects on diabetes.
In the study, patients with Type 2 Diabetes soaked in a spa or hot tub for 30 minutes a day for six days a week. Some of the results were positive in which patients lost weight, showed distinct decreases in plasma glucose levels and required reduced doses of insulin.
Always consult with your physician about a physical therapy regimen when considering hydrotherapy for diabetes.
Hydrotherapy Risks
People with impaired temperature sensation run the risk of scalding at temperature extremes.
Elderly people and young children may be prone to exhaustion by too much heat and should avoid long full body hot treatments.
Consult a physician to determine whether any physical therapy is suitable for your particular adverse health symptoms. Also it is important to consult your physician before using spas or hot tubs if you are pregnant or have heart disease.
