The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: 2015

HYDROTHERAPY HELPS WITH INSOMNIA

By Alan Knight

As far back as the late 1800s, doctors have been recommending hydrotherapy as a drug-free treatment of insomnia. Dr. Irwin H. Hance’s 1899 lecture explained the benefits of hydrotherapy, noting that drugs were unreliable where the treatment of insomnia was concerned. Even in the 1880s, Washington D.C.’s St. Elizabeth Hospital would use wraps, showers and baths for treating insomnia in their patients.

Almost everyone has occasional sleepless nights. Rather than just swallowing a pill, which can lead to more problems in the long run, there are some other options for getting a good night’s sleep.

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DON’T FORCE IT. The very attempt of trying to force yourself to sleep actually keeps you awake, and makes it more difficult to find sleep.
AVOID LOOKING AT AN ALARM CLOCK ALL NIGHT. When was the last time you had an early morning flight scheduled and you had to be up at a specific time to make the drive to the airport? What did you do? Like most people, you probably checked the clock about every hour (even though you had the alarm set.) Nocturnal time monitoring promotes anxiety and obsession with time. Remove the clock from view and try to avoid looking at any source for time.
TRY TO STAY AWAKE. One study showed that actually trying to staying wake helped people fall asleep. Research on the effects of the paradoxical directive “to try to stay awake for as long as possible” consistently reports significant reductions in sleep onset latency for insomniacs.
GO TO BED ONLY WHEN YOU ARE SLEEPY. Stay up until a reasonable bedtime even if you felt sleepy earlier. Go to bed only when you are feeling really tired and sleepy.
DON’T LIE IN BED AWAKE FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. This can

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make you anxious and worsen insomnia. So, if you are not asleep within 15-20 minutes go into another room, read, or do a quiet activity using low light until feeling sleepy.
SEX IS GOOD FOR INSOMNIA. Sex is a well-known stress reliever, and if performed at bedtime can help with insomnia. It enhances relationships, relaxes the body, releases “happy” chemicals, and even promotes wellness. The old joke of the guy rolling over and beginning to snore immediately after sex is pretty much, dead on.
ROOM TEMPERATURE. Keep your room temperature cool and comfortable. Typical recommendation is 65 - 72 degrees Fahrenheit
KEEP THE BEDROOM DARK. Try keeping the nighttime bedroom dark. Even a small amount of light in the bedroom may cause functional changes of the circadian system.
DON’T EAT A HEAVY MEAL LATE IN THE DAY. If you eat a heavy meal before bedtime, it can interfere with sleep. It is harder to digest late meals, since the digestive system slows down at night. Lying down with a full stomach can make you uncomfortable. Make sure to finish a heavy meal at least four hours before bedtime.
BEDTIME SNACKS MIGHT BE GOOD. An amino acid called tryptophan, found in milk, turkey, and peanuts, helps the brain produce serotonin, a chemical that helps you relax. Try drinking warm milk or eat a slice of toast with peanut butter or a bowl of cereal before bedtime.
AVOID THE USE OF ALCOHOL LATE IN THE EVENING. The most

Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

common myth found among people is that alcohol helps with sleep. The fact is, alcohol may initially act as a sedative, but it produces a number of sleep-impairing effects in the long run. Alcohol causes awakening later in the night. In addition to causing the release of adrenaline, alcohol impairs the transport of tryptophan into the brain, and because the brain is dependent upon tryptophan as the source of serotonin (an important neurotransmitter that initiates sleep), alcohol disrupts serotonin levels.
BOTH CAFFEINE AND NICOTINE are stimulants and may disrupt sleep. Discontinue four to six hours before bedtime.
One great way to induce sleep is TAKING A HOT BATH. Our temperature naturally dips at night, starting two hours before sleep and bottoming out at 4-5 am, based on the study done by New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in 1997. When you soak in a hot bath your temperature rises and the rapid cool-down when you step out of the tub immediately begins to relax you. This can be any kind of bath tub, especially our elegant clawfoot tub that is designed for you to sit comfortable, in a relaxed position.

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Hydrotherapy can be a God send. For those of you who have used the new WALK IN TUB you know what I mean. As you sit down in the tub as the tub fills with warm water, every inch of the body begins to relax. When it is filled, and you engage the hydrotherapy jets, you move into the stage of nirvana. You feel that you could stay there forever. Then after the warm water treatment, you step out of the tub, the sudden drop in body temperature adds another pleasant sense of relaxation. You get sleepy.

The Walk in Tub has been used to treat almost every ailment known to man. That would include arthritis, sore muscles, poor circulation, hypertension, injuries, and yes, INSOMNIA. Nothing is better than lying down on clean sheets after spending a twenty minutes in a Walk in Tub with its warm water hydrotherapy Jet and air bubbles soothing away your stressful day. It might be the best cure for insomnia we have found in recent years.

In this article I have provided 14 different ways to deal with insomnia, including using the hydrotherapy of the walk-in tub, so that you can get a restful night slip. These 14 ways will help most people without prescription drugs, which often are addictive or make the problems worse over time.

If you found this article useful or entertaining, please share it with your friends, family and co-workers. Or click on the Google Plus button. If you have a comment about this subject, leave it in the comment section at the end of this article.

Would you like to receive a FREE COPY of our new e-book? Tub King's

Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers suites. Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida.

He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. In addition to providing superior products, Tub King has been honored with “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Awards” for four years running. If you would like to contact Alan Knight, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.

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8 Ways to Reduce Foot Pain

Including Hydrotherapy with a Walk-in Tub

courtesy of www.flickr.com

By Alan Knight

Foot pain is probably the most common ailments known to man. It affects everyone, young or old, and comes from a variety of areas. It might be the toes, the heel, the arch, the ankle, the sole, or the toe nails. The reasons are many: old age, wearing uncomfortable shoes, excessive walking, fractures, a mineral deficiency, ingrown toenails, diabetes and standing on your feet for long periods.

There are many old home remedies for dealing with foot pain. Let me mention a few:

Hot and Cold Water Therapy is a popular one. The hot water helps with blood flow while the cold treatment will reduce inflammation. It is suggested that you fill a bucket or pan with cold and another with bearable hot water. Sit in a comfortable chair, then dip your feet in the hot water for three minutes. Then do the same with the cold water for up to a minute. Repeat two or three times, ending with the cold treatment. You can also accomplish the same results using a heat pad and ice pack.

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Ice therapy is a good way to reduce pain and swelling of the feet. Put a small amount of crushed ice in a small plastic bag and use it to massage the affected area in a circular motion. The cold temperature will temporarily numb the nerve endings in the painful area and offer some relief. Swelling will also be reduced. Do not use the ice pack for more than 10 minutes at a time. Any longer might damage the skin and nerve endings.

Vinegar is used in various treatments and can help with foot pain as it reduces inflammation in conditions like sprains and strains. It is recommended that you fill a tub with hot water, then add two tablespoons of vinegar. Soak your feet for about 20 minutes. You can also mix the vinegar in two containers, one with cold water and the other with hot water. Then alternate treatment. You can also soak a towel in each and wrap the foot. Leave it for about 5 minutes. You can repeat the process several times daily.

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Epsom salt can help soothe your feet, giving you instant relief from foot pain. Combining heat and Epsom salt, which is primarily magnesium, works well to relax the feet and ease the pain. Put two to three tablespoons of Epsom salt in a tub of warm water. Soak your feet for about 10-15 minutes. The salt can make your feet dry, so apply some moisturizer after soaking them.

Clove oil is highly effective in fungus and also foot pain as it boosts circulation. For quick relief, gently massage your aching feet with clove oil. This will stimulate blood flow and relax your muscles. You can massage your feet and heels with clove oil several times a day. If you have sensitive skin or a cut, dilute three drops of clove oil with one teaspoon of extra virgin olive or coconut oil and then massage your feet with it.

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Cayenne pepper is a rich source of capsaicin, which is known to relieve muscle aches and pains, arthritis, muscle strain, lower back pain, and even aching feet. If your feet ache when they get cold, sprinkle some cayenne pepper in your socks before putting them on. This will keep your feet warm. Another treatment is to add one-half teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to half a bucket of hot water and soak your feet in it for a few minutes. This will have a soothing effect and give you pain relief.

We drink water (and lots of it) to hydrate our body and sustain the many systems within our body. However, water is also good for sustaining good health when applied outside the body. This type of therapy goes back to ancient times. Just look at all the old mineral baths that were created by the Greeks and the Romans. It wasn't just for socializing.

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The new Walk in Tub is an excellent option for treating sore, tired feet. First, let me describe the design. Most Walk in Tubs are approximately 54 inches long and 30 inches wide, while standing close to 40 inches tall. They come with a door that has a watertight seal so that it doesn't leak. The entry point is only 6 inches off the floor so it is easy to get in and out without the fear of falling. The tub comes with a seat that is ergonomically designed for comfort and is ADA compliant as it stands 17 inches from the floor of the tub. The faucet and controls are within easy reach across from the seat and the controls for hydrotherapy are normally on the side ledge of the tub just fingertips away.

The Walk in Tub has an air pump that delivers thousands bubbles into the water, creating a gentle massaging action that stimulates every inch of the body. Most Walk in Tubs have air jet ports at all the critical areas to reach common places where pain might be present. As the tub is filling, you can actually turn on the air jets to massage the feet before the tub actually is filled completely. The lighter touch of the air jets is better for those who have sensitive skin or muscles.

TubKing.com Walk-in tub testimonial.

Another option is the water jets. Again, various jet ports are located in strategic areas to reach parts of the body that typically suffer from pain. Also, these jets are adjustable and can be set both to direction and water pressure. You can literally sit in a tub in comfort while these jets massage your feet in warm water while you recline and relax.

Maybe it's time you took a look at the Walk in Tub. They are now affordable and can shipped right to your house. Installation is usually accomplished in no more than two days, without disrupting your household. Don't live with aching feet. There is help available.

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Get your Free copy today.

In this article, I’ve written about the foot pain and provided more than a half dozen ways to help alleviate that pain. Specially I include many natural remedies and also discuss how the hydro therapy of a walk-in tub with air and water jets can reduce foot pain.

Would you like to receive a FREE COPY of Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers, our new e-book? Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Tubs of Terror: Hollywood's Blood Bath

Courtesy of Wikimedia

by Alan Knight

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a bloodbath is a violent and cruel killing of many people. The earliest known use of the term “blood bath” had to do with Elizabeth Bathory, who was known as the Blood Countess. She was born in Transylvania, Hungary, in 1560. According to legend, she believed that human blood would help to preserve her youth and her own fading beauty.

It’s estimated that she may have killed as many as 600 people. That would make her the most prolific female serial killer in history. The immortality she sought didn’t work out for her. She was imprisoned for her crimes in 1611 and died three years later. Although there’s evidence that she was very cruel, there’s some debate about whether or not she actually bathed in blood. In any case, the legend of the Blood Countess has been presented in several movies and also on TV.

In 1974, four stories, including hers, were wrapped up into one package called Immoral Tales, which was made in France. In 2008, Bathory was featured in an episode of a TV series called Martina Cole's Lady Killers. There was a biography that same year called Bathory: Countess of Blood, which was filmed in Europe. Most recently, in 2014, a movie titled Elizabeth Bathory was released.

"Bathory poster" by
Jakubisko film Europe

The blood baths of Elizabeth Bathory are not the only ones that have shown up in the movies. There’ve actually been several movies titled either Blood Bath or Bloodbath. In 1966, a horror movie titled Blood Bath was released. The setting is Venice, CA. An artist kills beautiful women and dumps them into a vat of hot wax in his studio.

In 1976, another movie titled Blood Bath was released. In this film, the members of a cast of a horror film go out together one night and tell each other their scariest stories. In 1979, a Spanish horror film titled Bloodbath was released. In 1999, yet another Bloodbath hit the screens, this one set in L.A. In 2008, a Blood Bath was filmed in Argentina. And, finally, according to the IMDB, a new movie titled Blood Bath is currently in development.

There’ve been numerous suicides in bathtubs in the movies. One of the most memorable was Frank Pantangeli in Godfather Part II. In that movie, the suicide was depicted in a montage of still pictures instead of moving pictures. One of the most artistic suicide bathtub scenes was in the unforgettable Rules of Attraction. While Harry Nilsson sang, “I can’t live, if living is without you,” a young woman got comfortable in the tub and proceeded to slit her wrists. Some viewers thought the scene was too nice and that it romanticized the act of suicide.

Electrocution is always a scary possibility in a tub full of water, as Mr. Morgan found out in The Ring. Dropping an electric device in the tub seems simple enough. However, not every movie character can pull that off. In Groundhog Day, Phil Connors, played by Bill Murray in one of his best roles, resolutely dropped a plugged in toaster in the bath he was taking. It didn’t work. Phil would have to die again another day.

Blood Baths don’t only show up in the movies. They’re in books as well. In addition to over a dozen currently available books simply titled Blood Bath or Bloodbath. A few more imaginative titles are: Blood Bath in Rio, Blood Bath and Beyond, Blood Bath in Jasper County Mississippi, The Assam Blood Bath, Blood Bath of Bethlehem, The Bloodbath Ritual, Kansas Bloodbath, Kentucky Bloodbath, Preacher’s Bloodbath, Bloodbath in Tinseltown, and Beach Blanket Bloodbath. In addition to all the movies and all the books, there are numerous video games with Blood Bath in the title. There’s also a death metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, that calls itself Blood Bath.

One of the greatest things about taking a bath is the sheer relaxation of it. The second you step into the water, your body knows that it’s time to slow down and smell the roses or whatever else you have on hand for aromatherapy. It’s almost like entering into a different world where the job, the bills, and high blood pressure don’t exist.

That’s why bathtub scenes in horror movies are so frightening. A character gets into the tub and relaxes. Normally the character is completely alone and completely vulnerable. Even so, the character feels safe. Some say that taking a bath is like returning to the safety of the womb psychologically. As the character takes a few deep breaths, a shadow passes in the hallway or it seems like someone is jiggling the bathroom door handle. And then… No need to get graphic.

The nice thing about Tub King baths is that they’re some of the safest bathtubs known to man. In all the years we’ve been in business, we have yet to hear of one report of anyone taking a blood bath in any of the tubs we’ve sold and installed. We’ve never even heard of a single customer scratching himself or herself in a Tub King tub. That may be hard to believe, but it’s true.

Whether you choose a clawfoot tub, a pedestal tub, or a solid surface tub, they’re all very safe. Our walk-in tubs are the safest of all. They’re so easy to get in and out of that a caveman can do it without hurting himself at all. Also, you won’t have to open a vein to purchase a great tub, because our prices for high quality bathtubs simply cannot be beaten.

Perhaps the best part of buying a tub from Tub King is that it gives people something they really want to live for. When you can look forward to a nice relaxing bath in a beautiful tub at the end of the day, you know how good life can be. When you really think about it, there aren’t many problems at all that a nice soak in a warm bath won’t help.

In this article, I’ve written about the earliest use of the term “Blood Bath” which was associated with Countess Elizabeth Bathory of Transylvania in the sixteenth century. I’ve also mentioned movies and books with “Blood Bath” in the titles I’ve specifically noted that, to the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever taken a blood bath in a bathtub sold or installed by Tub King.

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Would you like to receive a FREE COPY of Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers, our new e-book? Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida.

Block Stress from your Life Once and for All

English: Effects of stress on the body. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Walk in Tub can help

By Alan Knight

You might be thinking, “Stress! There is nothing I can do about it.” The bills keep piling up. I can't find enough hours in the day. People are acting like idiots. The truth be told, you have more control over your stress than you might believe. Stress management is all about taking charge of your life, your thoughts, and your emotions. More importantly, it is about the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life might seem to be, you can deal with it.

Courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

Let's look first of all at the true sources of your stress. Often identifying stress causes is easy. Maybe it comes from a job change, or an illness. Perhaps you've had a death in the family of someone close. However, identifying the “every day” causes might be more taxing. To find your true sources of stress look to your habits, attitudes, and even your excuses. First, do you explain away stress as temporary? “I just have a million things going on right now.” Yet you can't remember the last time you took a breather. Second, do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life? “Things are just always crazy around here, “you might say. How about this one. Do you blame other people for your stress? You become the perennial victim, because others are bringing stress upon you. Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in generating or feeding your own stress level, you will never be able to manage it.

A stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life

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and the way you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed, keep track of it in your journal. As you keep a daily log, you will begin to see patterns and common themes. Write down: 1. What caused your stress (make a guess if you're unsure.) 2. How you felt, both physically and emotionally. 3. How you acted in response. 4. What you did to make yourself feel better. Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Let's now look at some ways to cope with stress.

Relax! You deserve it. It's good for you, and it takes less time than you think. You don't need a course of study. You don't require a weekend retreat, although that's not a bad idea. It can be as simple as learning to RELAX.

Courtesy of pixabay.com

Meditate. A few minutes of practice each day can help ease stress. Research has suggested that daily meditation may alter the brain's neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress. It's simple. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes and focus your attention on reciting a positive mantra such as “I feel at peace.” Try to sync the mantra with your breaths. Let any distracting thoughts float by like clouds.

Breathe Deeply. Take just 5 minutes and focus on your breathing. Sit up straight. Slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your lungs and work its way to your head. Reverse the process as you exhale. Deep breathing counters the effects of stress.

Slow Down. Take 5 minutes and focus on only one thing with awareness. Notice how the air feels on your face when you’re walking and how your feet feel hitting the ground. Enjoy the texture and taste of each bite of food.

Courtesy of pixabay.com

Laugh. Watch a funny movie. Talk to others who make you laugh. Laughter lowers cortisol, your body's stress hormone, and boosts chemicals called endorphins, which help your mood.

Pleasant music. Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Create a playlist of songs or nature sounds and allow your mind to focus on the different melodies, instruments, or singers. You can also blow off steam by rocking out to more upbeat tunes.

Movement. You don't have to run in order to get a runner's high. All forms of exercise, including aerobics and even walking can ease anxiety and release feel-good chemicals in your body. Walk through the park, taking in all the sights and sounds. Breathe in the air and feel the breeze against your face.

Courtesy of Tubking.com

Decompress. Place a warm heat wrap around your neck and shoulders for 10 minutes. Close your eyes and relax every part of the body. Better yet, try some warm water therapy. The new Walk in Tub that has recently appeared on the market is a perfect way to install your own personalized whirlpool in your home. It takes up very little space (about the size of a normal bathtub.) It stands upright and comes with a watertight door. You simply walk inside, sit down and turn on the warm water. The Walk in Tub comes with both air jets (bubbler) and water jets (whirlpool) to provide plenty of help to work out all the kinks in the body. Just recline and let the churning, bubbling water to do their work. After about 15-20 minutes your entire body is totally relaxed.

Self-Hypnosis. Try putting yourself into a deep hypnotic state by slowly counting backwards from 10, and the time imagining that you are going deeper and deeper into a state of total relaxation. You can even record the exercise on a tape player and play it back as you relax. Say things like, “all the muscles in my back are beginning to relax and ease tension. My body is getting heavier as my muscles relax and ease tension.” Do this also for the feet, legs, abdomen, all the way to the head. By the time you get there you will feel wonderful.

One thing we haven't mentioned is how to avoid stressors (things that stress you out.) It's not healthy to avoid a stressful situation that needs to be addressed, but you may be surprised by the number of stressors in your life that can be eliminated.

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Learn how to say “no” - Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, taking on more than you can handle is a sure-fire recipe for stress. Distinguish between the “should” and the “musts” and, when possible, say “no” to taking on too much.

Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life, limit the amount of time you spend with that person, or end the relationship.

Take control of your environment - If the evening news makes you anxious, turn off the TV. If traffic makes you tense, take a longer by less-traveled route. If you can't avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you'll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress, but if you plan ahead and make sure you don't overextend yourself, you'll find it easier to stay calm and focused.

Watch this short video about the feature and options of Walk-in tubs.

In this article, I have discussed a dozen ways to reduce stress in your life, including taking a decompressing warm bath in a Walk-in tub. I provide details for several of these methods and discuss how to remove stressors from your daily life.

If you found this article useful or entertaining, please share it with your friends, family and co-workers. If you have a comment about this subject, leave it in the comment section at the end of this article.

Would you like to receive a FREE COPY of our new e-book? Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers. Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. In addition to providing superior products, Tub King has been honored with “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Awards” for four years running. If you would like to contact Alan Knight, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.

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