Do hot tub health benefits outweigh the cost?
Weigh the health benefits a hot tub can provide you before making a purchase.
Does a hot tub really do your body good? Most homeowners decide to invest in a hot tub for the simple pleasure of relaxation: soaking in a tub with a glass of wine to unwind after a long day of work. But beyond the immediate appeal of a Jacuzzi is a long list of hot tub health benefits that could maximize the value of your investment.
Hot tubs for health and wellness
In a recent Harrison Group survey of 2000 households able to afford pools and spas, most customers were looking for sound reasons to make a major purchase, beyond splurging on a luxury item.
Many hot tub owners surveyed revealed that their primary purchasing motivations were:
- Improving wellness
- Connecting with friends and family
The good news is that hot tubs can provide the best of both worlds in an opportunity to bond with loved ones, while improving overall health. For example, the National Sleep Foundation confirms that for the average American, soaking in a hot tub every night can make for faster, deeper sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.
Other hot tub health benefits include:
- Improving circulation, beneficial to arthritis sufferers
- Easing neck and back pain
- Relieving chronic pain symptoms, related to fibromyalgia
- Improving flexibility, beneficial in the elderly
- Reducing day-to-day stress
Do the benefits outweigh the cost?
Spa health benefits are many, especially when soaking in a hot tub becomes a regular therapeutic practice. To make a final decision before your purchase, it helps to crunch the numbers.
If you have a health condition that causes chronic pain, like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a back injury, you may already pay exorbitant prices for medical treatments, medications, and physical therapy. If physical therapy is necessary, it may not be covered by insurance. If it is covered, a patient may have to meet a high deductible or will be responsible for co-payments at 6 to 12 visits at a minimum.
Health therapy costs can quickly add up. CNN Money Magazine estimates that back pain can cost afflicted Americans $6100 per year on average. When you compare this to the estimated one-time cost of a hot tub at $2000 to $17,000 on average, the investment may soon pay for itself — even if pain is only partially alleviated.
While hot tubs aren’t a cure for health problems, it’s hard to deny their health benefits. Paying several thousand dollars for a therapeutic tool like this could help to complement medical treatment for a pain condition. To top it off, hot tubs used for medical purposes may also be tax-deductible.
When comparing spa prices for therapeutic treatment, take the time to discuss your health concerns with each hot tub retailer. It’s best to work with a vendor that understands the health benefits of hydrotherapy and can provide you with a competitive price quote that falls within your budget.
Compare hot tub prices »
