sauna or hot-tub; for aches and pains

[ripcord]

Getting old with more aches and pains. Should I get a sauna, IR sauna, or hot tub?

Lately, I've been limping around and generally just experiencing more aches and pains in general as I'm aging and am toying with the idea of installing a hot tub or building a small sauna. I've never owned anything like these and wondered what folks preferred and why? Are they of much benefit?

 

[tbm5690]

A sauna will be less maintenance, and arguably more convenient as it is inside. Hot tub will need chemicals and you need the right place outside to put it, including power. Dry saunas are pretty popular here and people like them, but hot tubs do wonders for relaxation.

 

[CharBaby]

I don’t want this to sound disrespectful and trust me, I don’t mean it that way.
Things don’t get any easier as we age.
Unless you have some physical disability(s), join a health club. Workout those aches & pains and use their facilities.

 

[walterjay]

If you want something at home I recommend a sauna due to less maintenance and operational costs.

Also in cold weather stay warm. That simple thing really helps.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Ice bath is the way to go IMO. Way less comfortable at first compared to the heat methods, but the cold shock to your cells actually has innumerable more benefits for your body than soaking the entire thing to a temp higher than your normal body temp. Plus, the ice bath will fight inflammation (sounds like your main goal from your post), while the heat will actually increase it. Plus, no pumps or heaters to worry about maintaining!

If you’re interested, check out the Wim Hof Method.

 

[loneryder]

I vote for a hot tub. It really makes you feel better and looser. IMO it’s worth the maintenance which is not much.

 

[alcyon]

A hot bath itself wont help unless you saturate the tub with epsom salts ?

 

[dishdude]

I would say a hot tub as well.

 

[nbpt100]

They are different and achieve different things while there is some overlap. The major benefit of Sauna helps you to sweat out toxins. The hot tub improves circulation and a good powerful jet can massage soar muscles.

Joint a health club that has both and see how your body responds to each.

You really need to fight inflammation. It is a large topic. Too large for here. You need to look at your diet and eliminate the foods that may be greatly contributing to your inflammation. This is where you need to step up your research. Best of luck.

 

[fat biker]

Physical Therapy!

 

[methusaleh]

I don’t want this to sound disrespectful and trust me, I don’t mean it that way.
Things don’t get any easier as we age.
Unless you have some physical disability(s), join a health club. Workout those aches & pains and use their facilities.

That’s what I was going to say. Proper stretching and exercise.

 

[CharBaby]

Weather permitting, I ride my bike 15-20/day.
25-30 pushups(when my shoulders don’t click/snap).
200 crunches/side crunches most days when my back allows for it.
Walk a couple of miles when possible after our early evening meal.
Squats on the off days(weights dependent) nothing too heavy.
I don’t do all the above each day but I have! I just try to do as much as my body will allow.
I get up early and go to bed early.

 

[CharBaby]

In addition to the above, I’m always working around the house or helping others.
So my days are busy without feeling overburdened. I do just what I want to do but
I have a time of day that I want to stop. Keep busy!

 

[RhondaHonda]

I haven’t used an IR sauna but have heard from others they don’t feel as hot as they’d like compared to a traditional sauna.

I had a few good traditional sauna sessions this week while at the in-laws’ lake property. Also had a soak or two in the hot tub. I can’t say whether they do anything for my health but they both felt good.

 

[nbpt100]

IR sauna penetrates the skin deeper and is suppose to heat up your internal organs more than a traditional sauna. Like your liver which is called by some a powerful processing plant. It is recommended to those with chronic illnesses like lyme disease and long term low grade infections that your body is having trouble eliminating. I have never tried it. So I can not comment on how it feels.

 

[john_pifer]

Honestly a hot shower or bath will provide 95% of the benefit of a hot tub, WRT aches and pains, without the expense or maintenance.

I've been a distance runner for over 20 years, and I've found it downright amazing how just a hot shower can rejuvenate after a long run.

Some particular examples I remember are after some long races I've done, where I could barely walk afterwards, but after a 20 min hot shower, I was ready to go out to a restaurant and felt like a new man.

 

[Wheel]

It may depend on your ability to tolerate heat. Sauna sure feels like there's more heat. That said, I prefer the sauna, I was fortunate that one was already in our house when we bought it. My wife would never have spent the money, let alone on a hot tub.

 

[andrew_j]

Health club first and you’ll find your preference of either one or neither.

 

[UncleDave]

Love em both, but a sauna does not massage you where a hot tub does.

If I had to pick one I'd pick the hot tub.