Hydrotherapy can rehabilitate injured muscles and joints, and alleviate stresses and strains of everyday life. Hot water and pulsating jets are also effective in healing many skin conditions, sores, infected wounds, edema (swelling), and minor frostbite pain. Physical therapists use whirlpools to soothe burn patients and improve circulation of paraplegic and polio victims. In a home setting, whirlpools and hot tubs can offer these same benefits along with general relaxation.

If you decide to get a whirlpool or a hot tub, there's some important things to consider. Look for jets that let you adjust the proportion of air and water as more air means a more vigorous massage. Think about the depth of the tub and how deep you'd like the water to be. The biggest challenge with installing a whirlpool or a hot tub is often finding space. If the benefits of hydrotherapy are important enough, you'll make the room. Room can be made for a whirlpool by sacrificing space in an area that adjoins the bathroom. Furthermore, most whirlpool manufacturers produce a whirlpool tub that replaces a standard size bath tub. Be sure to allow for access to the mechanical components, in case the whirlpool needs repair. There are other important considerations, such as having an access door for the pump and installing an in-line heater to keep the water warm during the bath. In addition, you may need a bigger water heater in order to have enough water to fill the tub and take a shower.

There's generally more considerations with installing a whirlpool than with a hot tub. Hot tubs are usually self-contained, and are simply leveled, wired and filled with water. With a whirlpool, a remodeling project is often necessary. One of the biggest problems with whirlpools is keeping the water hot. Regardless of how much hot water is available, it may not get to the whirlpool quickly enough to stay hot. If the plumbing supply lines are not big enough or the bathtub filler spout is inadequate, the tub will take so long to fill that the water cools before the bather can enjoy the hydro-massage experience. The solution? Have your bathroom designer design the whirlpool and plumbing for optimum use.
For a standard bathtub installation, 3/4" hot and cold supply lines service three fixtures and 1/2" individual branches bring the hot and cold water to the tub fittings. A 1/2" spout is then used to fill the standard tub. For larger tubs, such as a whirlpool, 3/4" individual water supply branches and a 3/4" bath spout should be used to maximize the water flow to the tub.

	Your local drug store has a bountiful variety of mineral salts, aromatherapy oils, brushes, and other apparatus that turn a simple bath into a hydrotherapy treat.

Be sure the whirlpool isn't too big to get into the house. Frequently, you'll have to go down a narrow hall or make a turn around a corner. Maneuvering the tub into the bathroom can be tricky and it's a good idea to install it before you construct other things in the bathroom that may impede the tub's installation.

Safety issues are the biggest concern when installing a whirlpool or a hot tub. Some large tubs may require additional support. Verify the weight of the tub when it is filled with water and people. If such information isn't available, compute the weight as follows: one gallon of water equals 8.33 pounds and 7.51 gallons of water equals one cubic foot. After you know how much the filled tub weighs, determine if the area where you're planning your installation is adequate to support the tub.

Another critical safety issue with a tub is the placement. Sunken tubs and tubs with steps are dangerous as small children and animals can fall into a sunken tub. Furthermore, sunken tubs and tubs with steps place the bather in an awkward and precarious position they enter the tub. Its also a good idea to install a grab bar to assist in getting in and out of the tub.

Even if you're not prepared to purchase a hot tub or a whirlpool, you can enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy. A visit to your local drug or health store will offer a bountiful variety of mineral salts, aromatherapy oils, brushes, and other apparatus that can turn a simple hot bath into a hydrotherapy treat. One good trick for prolonging the hydrotherapy experience in a standard bath tub is heating the bathroom to help keep the water from cooling quickly.

About the Author

Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and author specializing in the treatment of mental health using integrative medicine and natural therapies. She works with individuals, couples, and families at her office in San Jose, California and is the founder of All Things Well, a certified provider of The Listening Program. Dr. Fredricks' publications include the landmark book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Randi Fredricks as articles often present the published results of the research of other professionals. Copyright © 2012.