Did you know that relaxing soaks in a hot tub or spa have a lengthy historical tradition?
As far back as 2000 BC, wealthy Egyptians used the therapeutic qualities of hot water in baths, adding flowers and essential oils for aromatherapy.
Meditation & Restoration
The Japanese have used ofuro, or personal wooden soaking tubs for centuries. These square sided tubs were not used for cleansing.
They were used for meditation and the water’s restorative properties. It was also believed that the elder members infused their wisdom into the water for younger bathers to absorb.
Native Americans used hot springs as sacred meeting places as well.
Later, Resort Spas rose with popularity all over the United States. In fact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt owned a resort in Warm Springs, Georgia he called the “Little White House”.
Partially paralyzed at an early age, he regained some of the use of his legs swimming at the springs and returned there for hydrotherapy annually for over 20 years.
Japanese Bathing Culture
After WWII, American troops brought back the Japanese bathing culture of Onsen and the wooden ofuro tubs inspiring the first wooden tubs in the United States. Using discarded winery equipment like barrels and wine vats, vineyard workers and migrant “flower children” began creating hot tubs in the 1960’s, making home-made hot tubs with wood-fired heating systems. These early hot tubs were leaky, without filtration, harbored bacteria, algae and mold.
Fiberglass & Acrylic Spas
These were not without their own set of problems, but as time moved forward the evolution of the hot tub to what we have now at our homes did too.
Cultures as diverse and illustrious as Roman Britain, ancient Egypt, Japan and the United States have been aware of the healing properties of water for many years.
Hot Tubs Are Effective
In our opinion, bathing in hot tubs will always be an effective way to not only soothe away the pressures of the day, but also treat joint and muscle pain, circulatory issues, and many other ailments.
Be vigilant in testing your hot tub water, keep it balanced and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to visit our web site at www.waterschoice.com, give us a call or email us with any questions.
We are always happy to help.