Hot bath benefits: Do they help with sore muscles & back pain?

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sinking into a hot bath after a long day. But baths have more benefits than just relaxation. They’re also a simple way to ease aching muscles and a painful back. Read on for the benefits of a hot bath for sore muscles and ways to reduce muscle tension while you soak.

1. How long to soak in a hot bath for sore muscles
2. What is the right temperature to use for your bath?
3. Install a walk-in bath
4. The benefits of a walk-in bath
5. Dissolve Epsom salts
6. The benefits of Epsom salts
7. How to use Epsom salts in the bath
8. Make your bathroom a calming space
9. Use a bath pillow

Does a hot bath help with sore muscles?

The big question is ‘Do warm baths help sore muscles?’ And the overwhelming answer is yes! A hot bath is fantastic for easing sore muscles and back pain.

When your muscles ache, it’s due to inflammation or injury. The muscles swell and contract, causing discomfort. It can make it difficult to do everyday activities, like getting dressed or walking up the stairs.

Warm water calms aggravated muscles, helping to release tension so they can relax and make space for healthy blood circulation. This reduces pain around your joints and increases oxygen flow to help your muscles heal faster. If you have muscle and back pain from conditions such as arthritis, regularly bathing is a simple way to manage the symptoms.

How long to soak in a hot bath for sore muscles

You should soak in the bath for approximately 15-20 minutes. It’s enough time for your muscles to loosen up and circulation to improve without risking dehydration. Even so, you should always bring water to rehydrate while you’re bathing. And, if possible, encourage airflow via a ventilation fan or an open window.

What is the right temperature to use for your bath?

The best bath temperature is 37°- 38° C (98.6°- 100.4° F), which is around body temperature. However, some people prefer slightly higher (about 40° C), which is also fine.

Before getting in the bath, test the water with your wrist or elbow. Your hands are less sensitive to temperature, which is why an elbow is more accurate. If the water feels comfortable, carefully step in and gently lower yourself into the tub.

The key thing to remember is not to make your bath too hot, or you can risk dehydration. A hot bath may also temporarily lower your blood pressure, making you dizzy if you stand up or step out too suddenly. So, get out of the bath slowly and in your own time.

How to upgrade your hot bath for sore muscles

A hot bath is a great starting point for calming sore muscles and back pain. But you can also add things to your experience to maximise the benefits of a bath.

Install a walk-in bath

Although bathing is therapeutic for muscles, getting in and out of the tub can be difficult if you have limited mobility. That’s where walk-in baths come in.

Walk-in baths don’t have the mobility challenge of a high side. Instead, they are designed with wide, low doors, making accessibility easy. And the compact styles are ideal if you want to sit up in the bath rather than lie down.

The benefits of a walk-in bath

• Great accessibility – Standard tubs have high sides, which can prevent anyone with limited accessibility from enjoying a soak. However, walk-in baths have low doors, so you can open the door and step in without straining joints and muscles.
• Compact designs – If you love the idea of a walk-in bath but have limited space, don’t worry. Bathing Solutions has a selection of compact baths that nest neatly into corners and small bathrooms. Their depth means you can immerse yourself in hot, bubbly water so your entire body gets the benefits of muscle relaxation.
• Slip-resistant – Having a bath is lovely, but getting in and out can be slippery and unstable, increasing the risk of falling. Our tubs have slip-resistant bases, providing additional grip when you enter and exit.
• Temperature control – Getting the temperature just right to relax muscles can be a pain, and you don’t want to constantly bend down to check if the water is right. Our bath fillers quickly fill up the tub with the push of a button and have a rotary temperature control dial for the perfect warmth. Simply sit in, shut the door and unwind as the tub fills.

Dissolve Epsom salts

Epsom salts are made from magnesium and sulphate. They dissolve in hot water, enriching the bath with their properties. The particles become small enough for the skin to absorb and circulate in the bloodstream.

The benefits of Epsom salts

Epsom bath salts for muscle soreness are amazing at reducing inflammation, which is ideal for muscle stiffness, arthritis and back pain. The salts also act as gentle exfoliants, making skin soft to the touch. And the magnesium in Epsom salts releases the sleep hormone melatonin for a peaceful slumber. You can get Epsom salts in many different scents; lavender is relaxing, whereas citrus aromas are uplifting.

How to use Epsom salts in the bath

Don’t make the mistake of only adding a sprinkle of these salts to your bath, as it won’t do anything. The amount that you need depends on your body mass. For a small to average-sized person, tip in two cups (around 500 grams), and add another cup if you are above average size. Ensure that you swirl the water to dissolve the Epsom salts for better absorption.

Make your bathroom a calming space

Relaxation, in general, is ideal for calming tense or swollen muscles as it helps reduce inflammation and soothe aggravated cells. Here are a few ideas for turning your bathroom into a serene space to let your muscles unwind:

• Light candles – Harsh bathroom lighting can take away from the soothing benefits of a bath and lead to tense shoulders. Add ambience by lighting candles around the bathroom and the tub. Ensure they’re mindfully placed to avoid burns or risk of fire. If you don’t like live flames, you can get fake candles with realistic, flickering flames.
• Try chromotherapy lighting – If candles aren’t for you, we have good news. Many of our walk-in baths come with chromotherapy lighting. It’s a form of light therapy pre-installed into your tub, using different colours to enhance relaxation—for example, blue to cool inflammation or violet to soften tense muscles.
• Add soothing ingredients – We’ve already discussed the benefits of Epsom salts, and these will certainly elevate your bath. But you don’t have to stop there. Bubble bath turns your average bath into a lavish soak. Natural ingredients (like a dash of milk or oats wrapped in muslin cloth) sleuth away dead skin cells for a spa-like feel.
• Experiment with spa therapy – Our walk-in baths contain optional Spa therapy, which uses powerful jets to massage muscles, getting into those deep aches and pains. It’s a fantastic way to take relaxation to the next level in the comfort of your home.

Use a bath pillow

The hard surfaces of bathtubs can feel uncomfortable and affect your ability to relax. Adding a bath pillow is a simple and budget-friendly way to provide comfort. Some pillows focus on cradling the neck, and others extend along the bottom of the tub for soft cushioning.

Ease sore muscles and back pain with Bathing Solutions walk-in baths

With our walk-in baths, you can have a refreshing soak in luxury and comfort. Step inside our compact, stylish designs, switch on the jets and experiment with chronotherapy lighting to release tension. In just 20 minutes, you can step out with soothed muscles and better back mobility.