ARTHRITIS PAIN RELIEF

The Arthritis Foundation recognizes the benefits of hydromassage and warm water exercise to help relieve arthritis pain. A spa can provide the warmth, massage and buoyancy needed to both relax and exercise joints and muscles in the convenience and comfort of your own backyard. Relaxed muscles create an overall feeling of comfort which can then make it easier to perform exercises and carry out daily tasks. A morning soak in a spa can provide temporary relief from arthritis pain and help you feel better throughout the day. Soaking in a spa:

• Reduces body weight by approximately 90%, relieving pressure on joints and muscles and making it a safe and gentle environment for warm water exercise.
• Increases circulation and helps move inflammatory substances away from the joints.
• Allows muscles to become relaxed, which creates an overall feeling of comfort and makes it easier to carry out daily tasks.
• Raises the body's temperature and causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in increased circulation.
• Decreases swelling and stiffness and restores strength and flexibility, which can help increase range of motion and protect joints against further damage.

For more information about how a spa can be helpful in easing arthritis pain and discomfort, click on the following link to the Arthritis Foundation's publication, "Water Exercise-Pools, Spas & Arthritis." www.arthritis.org

A benefit to your pocketbook can be that if a doctor prescribes soaking in a spa for pain relief, its purchase may be partially tax-deductible as a medical expense. Consult IRS (1-800-TAX-FORM) or visit www.irs.gov www.irs.gov and ask for Publication 502 for additional information about the tax deductibility of medical expenses.