Hot baths can releive pain
Dr. David Burke, head of Emory University’s Center for Rehabilitative Medicine.
We all know how relaxing in a tub can help sore muscles feel better.
“When you step into a hot bath and your core temperature goes up, a number of things happen that help with pain
Hot baths expand the blood vessels in those areas and allow the healing properties within the blood to be delivered. They relax the muscles, which takes the tension off of them and the nerves that have been injured.”
Hot water, or even steam, can bring other benefits in addition to pain relief:
1. Lowers High Blood Pressure
The Journal of Physiology in a 2016 study showed that soaking in hot water lowered blood pressure and caused arteries to become more flexible in healthy young adults after just 8 weeks.
Scientists in Finland study the benefits of saunas, tradition in that country. The American Journal of Hypertension published a study that followed more than 1,600 middle-age men with normal blood pressure who used saunas over a 25-year period.
Men who visited a sauna two or three times a week were 24% less likely to have hypertension compared with those who visited once a week or less.nThose who went 4 to 7 times a week saw a 46% reduction.
A 2016 study, again from Finland found that frequent saunas were associated with lower risk of dementia. The study followed 2,300 healthy men who used a sauna weekly for 6 years.
3. Treatment of Brain Injury
At Emory University’s Rehabilitative Hospital, Burke uses saunas in the treatment of brain injuries.
“I routinely recommend the saunas as a quick way — 20 minutes, four times a week — to preserve the brain that hasn’t been hurt.”
“The idea appears to be increasing your core temperature,” Burke said.
“This is one thing that’s passive and easier to do, especially in people who have injured joints who need to keep their brains and hearts in good condition but can’t physically do some of the exercises,” he said.He believes that in the sauna, small blood vessels in the brain open, possibly stopping micro deterioration in the brain.
Bath Buddies
Another caution: these studies only followed men. Women could be different in their responses. So, if you are a woman, next time you are in pain, go try a hot bath and find out.
Tell everyone you are doing scientific research.
Click here for how to get the most from your hot soak
MAXyourMIND 
Hot baths and hot tubs are not for people who have certain health issues. Consult with your doctor first.
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Linda,
Thanks for the heads-up. Do you know some of the conditions? Can you take hot baths?
Peggy
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I have high blood pressure. I also have cancer. After 8 rounds of chemo I still have cancer. Body resisting to chemo. I’m now on hormone therapy. When I had my total hysterectomy due to endometrial (uterus) cancer, my cervix was removed, I was told not to have baths, not to have water inside my vagina. I’m not sure if people recovering from surgery and/or with certain skin problem can submerge in a tub.
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Linda,
Sorry about your health issues. I hope you are able to enjoy lots of things, even if hot baths are not one of them. Thank you for the information, so others can benefit from what you have learned.
Peggy
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Oh Linda, so very sorry you have and have had such serious health issues. Hopefully, you will be able to benefit from some of the continuing advances in treatment.
Based on my own experiences the do’s and don’ts in discharge instructions have been clear. It’s important though that there is follow up.
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