The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: May 2015

CLEOPATRA CHIC

THE MANY BENEFITS OF BATHING IN THE DEAD SEA

by Alan Knight

Image courtesy of dead-sea-cosmetics-shop.com

Imagine you’re wandering through the desert and see a picturesque clear blue lake in the distance. Surely it must be a mirage, you tell yourself. As you walk closer you see people floating on top of the water and lying next to the shores of a desolate lake covered in mud. You also see salt formations that almost look like ice sculptures and you think this is completely surreal. Do not panic. You aren’t having a hallucination. You have happened upon the Dead Sea, the earth’s lowest elevation of land and one of the most mineral rich bodies of water on this earth.

LET’S START WITH A LITTLE HISTORY

The Dead Sea, located between Israel and Jordan was formed about 2,000,000 years ago after the land was repeatedly flooded by the waters of the Red Sea. Through geological changes over the millennia, the topography changed, causing the Red Sea to recede and a large creek to form where the water eventually became trapped. As the water flowed in from the surrounding rivers and streams, the creek grew over time and formed a landlocked sea.

SO WHY IS IT SO SALTY?

Oddly enough, water does not flow out of the Dead Sea. It’s only escape is through evaporation. This concentrates the salt and minerals from the original seawater, making it ever more salty. The heat of the desert causes more evaporation and the process continues. Water flows in, evaporates quickly, and salt and minerals collect in the water and on the shores. (There’s so much concentrated salt and minerals that people who swim in it bob to the surface like corks.

WHAT MAKES THIS WATER SO SPECIAL?

The list of minerals in its water is long, containing everything from potassium, magnesium, bromide, sulfur, collagen, calcium, lithium, strontium and so much more. The salt content in the Dead Sea is about 31%, while the salt content in most of the earth’s oceans is closer to 4%. Due to the high salt and mineral content, no plant or animal life can survive there. Have you ever seen a natural lake with no plants growing near its shore or fish swimming below the surface? However, it's the same properties that won’t allow marine life to survive that provides people with many benefits. The Dead Sea’s amazing healing properties have attracted people to this area for thousands of years.

CLEOPATRA BATHED THERE

Image courtesy of jacksonupperco.com

When Cleopatra learned of the health benefits of the waters and mud surrounding the Dead Sea it is said she built the first spa along its shores. History tells us she was a lover of indulgence and wanted to preserve her beauty and health. According to legend, she used the therapeutic properties of the mud and minerals as part of her own beauty regimen.

NOW THE WORLD WANTS IN

The Dead Sea has today become a mecca for wellness and health, with spas and treatment centers surrounding it. People from all parts of the globe travel there seeking treatment for everything from skin conditions, to arthritis and many other ailments that can benefit from the natural minerals and salt in the water, mud and clay.

Who doesn’t want to turn back the hands of time? Sure, aging is inevitable but there are natural remedies out there that have been proven to delay the process or at least soften it. Sulfur helps to provide softness and smoothness while sodium helps to heal dryness. Manganese helps to promote a healthy glow. The Dead Sea contains all these in abundance.

THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF BATHING

Balneotherapy (In Latin balneum means “bath”) has been effective in treating many rheumatic diseases since Roman times. One of the therapies in the Dead Sea is to have patients bathe in pools of thermal sulfur spring water with mud packed the mud around the joints. Huge cisterns are placed on the shores of the Dead Sea so people can slather on its healing mud. These therapies have been known to aid in joint stiffness, reducing chronic pain to the joints, lower back and more.

The climate in this region is also a major factor in these treatment therapies. The temperatures in the area are uniformly warm with a low level of relative humidity. The oxygen-rich air, high barometric pressure and low content of pollen and other allergens provide the perfect climate for people suffering from rheumatic ailments. Many sufferers of asthma and other lung conditions have reported significant improvements due to this optimum climate for health.

The Dead Sea waters and salt contains many of the minerals our body needs. Magnesium can combat stress and help to calm the nervous system. Bromides aid in relaxing muscles and calcium is effective in increasing circulation and balances skin moisture. It’s amazing to think one body of water can contain all these essential elements that aid in keeping us healthy. The Dead Sea has all of these elements in abundance.

DO I HAVE TO GO TO ISRAEL TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF THE DEAD SEA?

While it is quite an adventure and might be an item to add to your bucket list, you can enjoy many of

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these benefits in the comfort of your own home. Dead Sea salts, creams and mud masks can be purchased online and in many retail stores. All you need is a tub filled with hot water. Pour some of that salt into the warm water, light a candle and slather on some mud in order to enjoy the natural benefits of those healing minerals and salts can impart. Afterward, you will feel much more relaxed and rejuvenated whether you are using the salts for healing purposes or just wish to bathe like Cleopatra.

In this article, we have discussed some of the history of the Dead Sea as well as the healing properties of the waters and salts. There have been studies for centuries about the health benefits that come from this magical place. It is worth a visit, but the exciting thing is you really can enjoy the benefits to your health in the privacy of your own home. I think it might be time to take a bath!

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King, 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. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

The Bathroom Doesn't Have to Be the Most Dangerous Room in the House

by Alan Knight

Most people don’t necessarily think of the bathroom as a hazardous area in their home. But did you know that almost 200,000 Americans are treated in emergency rooms for bathroom-related injuries annually? According to the National Institute on Aging, more than one in three seniors over age 65 falls each year and 80% of these falls occur in the bathroom. Many of these falls can result in head trauma or broken bones that can lead to a lack of mobility and independence for seniors. They are more vulnerable to these falls due to lack of agility and balance issues. Seniors also have a 25% chance of dying if they fall and break a hip.

Image courtesy of mykatsu.com

Bathrooms are notoriously dangerous. Most bathrooms are tiled and become slippery when wet. Towel racks that are not sufficiently secured can fall when grabbed. Sliding shower doors that are not secure can move if used to support oneself. Toilets that are low can be difficult to get up from and cause one to lose balance. All of these are potential hazards, especially for the elderly.

Stepping in and out of a bathtub or shower may not seem like a difficult feat, but it can be a more dangerous task if one is weak or frail. It is all too easy to step in or out of the shower or tub without realizing the floor is wet, thus causing a potentially serious accident. Most bathtubs and showers don’t have handles to hold onto if one loses their balance. Neither do they have non-slip adhesive strips which can prevent accidental falls. Older showers don’t have a handheld shower head either, which requires one to stand in a fixed place for the duration. Elderly people often have a difficult time standing for longer periods of time. A remedy to that may be to purchase a shower chair. A good shower chair has rubber tips on the legs to prevent slipping, but if it’s not secured there is potential for an accident. As you can see, bathtubs and showers are designed primarily for functionality and aesthetics, not for safety. As a result, their design hasn’t changed significantly through the years.

Safety showers were created to reduce the risk of bathroom-related injuries for seniors. This allows

Image courtesy of TubKing.com

them to be independent and take care of their own needs. This independence is critical as we age. Bathing is one of the six “Activities of Daily Living” that is required to allow one to live independently. The other activities are: mobility, bathing, dressing, feeding, hygiene and toilet hygiene. Usually, if at least two of these activities are not met, a senior will need professional care which can be expensive. A safety shower can help to prevent that expense by decreasing the probability of injury in the bathroom. They provide a comfortable and safe bathing experience while giving you or a loved one more peace of mind.

Safety showers and tubs are specifically designed for seniors or people with limited mobility. They have features that address every need, whether one is in a wheelchair and wants the ability to bathe privately and safely, or just for someone who has difficulty getting in and out of a traditional tub or shower. When the goal is safety and accident prevention, these showers address those goals.

Image courtesy of TubKing.com

The key feature in safety showers is the easy walk-in ability. They offer zero and low threshold options which allow the ease of walking (or rolling) into the shower with little need to maneuver or

climb. With a low or zero threshold shower, there is little to no difference between the level of the floor of the bathroom and the shower. This is immensely helpful for one who may be weak, have issues with balance or is in a wheelchair. Zero threshold showers are on floor level and are designed for the wheelchair bound. Low threshold showers have a slight climb of typically three to four inches.

Another feature of a well-designed safety shower is a built-in seat which is a much safer option than a traditional shower chair which can slip or move causing a person to lose their balance. They are molded into the shower at a height that is comfortable and safe to sit without being too low. This enables one to sit without having to strain or lose their balance.

Image courtesy of TubKing.com

Grab bars are placed to provide stability if one needs help to get up and out of the shower. They are securely built into the shower so there is no fear of movement. A well-designed safety shower will also have a handheld shower head for ease and flexibility. It should be easy to grab and be at a length where one can sit in a built in chair and shower easily. This feature allows one who has a difficult time standing for longer periods of time to bathe while sitting.

A non-slip surface is essential in any safety shower. These non-stick aids can be decals or rubber strips. They can be added to a shower or tub or built into the surface. They are another added protection against falls and accidents, all of which are designed into every safety shower or tub.

We want to protect ourselves and our loved ones from danger, especially those in their golden years. We all want to live independently while living our lives with dignity. There are many ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones even if it involves the simple things that we often take for granted.

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Since many senior citizens have accidents in the bathroom and may have difficulty bathing on their own, is it worth it to make the investment in a safety shower or tub that will give them the independence and safety needed to allow them to lead the lives they should in their golden years?

In this article, we have addressed many of the hazards and accidents in the bathroom that can happen as well as ways some of these can be ameliorated. The safety Suite shower has its place in the solution, especially for the elderly or disabled. It was a creation that needed to happen.

LET'S REMODEL YOUR MASTER BATH

By Alan Knight

Tub King Clients remodeled master bath.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a beautiful bathroom that is the envy of the neighborhood? A place that you can relax in and enjoy the serenity of your own private space. Imagine it with soothing music, scents of lavender and a nice glass of wine? Most people think that this is just a pipe dream, but in reality, these kinds of upgrade are affordable for most families, especially if it is well researched and planned. Let me elaborate.

Personal indulgence, that was once the domain of health spas, has made an entrance into the master bath. One's imagination can be limitless, held in check only by a budget, and can provide days of creative fun and years of personal enjoyment. And did you know that “luxury” can be incorporated into any design, if your project is well thought out?

A book like “Yes/No Design: Discover Your Decorating Style With Taste-Revealing Exercises and Examples,” by Diane Love (Rizzoli InternationalPublications) can help you to sort through various styles.

Courtesy of Yes No Designs on Amazon

Also pay a visit to some of the Home and Patio Trade Shows around the country to see live models of different bath styles. These shows typically take place in the spring and the fall in most metro cities. In the southeast, Tub King, Inc. displays the newest concepts in bathtubs and shower designs, along with the most beautiful bath fixtures to accentuate these styles.

Along with choosing the style, you should also consider the materials. For master baths, no material is too luxurious or unusual. Porcelain is back. Most are shunning fiberglass and acrylic and going with the rich look of ceramic glass. For soaking, the gargantuan slipper tubs and double slippers with their huge metallic legs are definitely in vogue. Granite countertops are a must in the master bath.

Courtesy of www.ecofriend.com

For years, most contractors were installing two sinks in the master bath. I suppose it was to communicate a “his” and “hers” arrangement. That has become old fashioned. Today, most are opting for one sink which provides much more counter top, drawer, and cabinet space. Choosing a layout for your master bath might require the help of a certified bathroom designer, who will analyze the size of the space and your family's needs. However, make sure that your budget incorporates funds for hiring an expert, if you plan on getting design help.

One area that people and designers are debating today is the layout of the

Customized Tub King Slipper tub - Perfect for soaking.

bath. “Do I choose a shower or a bathtub?” Believe it or not, most are opting for both. There are times when a person just wants to relax in hot water in a large soaking tub. There are other times when they might be in a big hurry, and the shower seems more practical. With just a little extra effort you can have both. If your bathroom is large enough to accommodate a shower and soaking tub, go for it.

The old shower stall idea has given way to the new walk in custom shower

Tub Kings new Safety Suite Showers

with a zero threshold. There are no shower curtains to keep clean or shower doors to scrub. You simply walk into a luxurious tile space from floor to ceiling. Overhead shower heads, wall-mounted shower heads, handheld shower heads, shower tiles, rain bars, body sprays and steam showers are all extremely popular.

When looking at adding extras that might really carry a punch, consider hanging a chandelier over your porcelain soaking tub with expensive and colorful towels surrounding it. Small antique tables for candles or wine glasses might complete the picture. Painting the walls with calm colors and investing in a first rate stereo system with hidden speakers is a must and add some green, as in live plants, to make it perfect.

Another thing, don’t underestimate the importance of lighting in a bathroom. Sconce lighting at the vanity is the ideal way to get even lighting on your face, and installing it at eye level will help diminish unflattering shadows. Add French doors to bring in the daytime natural lighting. Adding more overall lighting can make a small bathroom seem larger.

Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

In addition to lighting, ventilation is so important. Moisture is your bathroom's greatest enemy. Mold and mildew will make quick work of any renovation you've done, so be sure to install a vent fan of appropriate CFMs (or cubic feet per minute) for the square footage of your bathroom. The rough guide is one CFM per square foot for bathrooms of one hundred square feet or smaller. New designs are quieter and more stylish than ever and are a must for any bathroom remodel.

Some of the most effective updating in a bathroom can also be the easiest and the cheapest. Changing out all the hardware, such as drawer pulls, faucet handles and spouts, and shower heads can make a huge impact. Be sure to use the same finish, such as oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel or chrome, so that everything in the bathroom matches.

Courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

One thing should be said here. Don't “overestimate” your DIY skills. Assess which projects to do yourself and which are better left to the pros. You could save yourself a ton of money in the long run if you don't have to call someone in to fix a project you've messed up. The best way to find a good contractor is to seek referrals from friends and family who can vouch for their good workmanship.

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Now for the part of the project you don't like... Choosing a budget. This will have a big impact on the type of materials you select for your bathroom renovation and the boundaries of the design you choose. Knowing what you can really afford to spend will make it a lot easier to decide what items you want to replace and where you need to get creative. You might even consider calling in some “markers.” Do you have friends or family members who have special skills that could do the labor for free? You can act as their apprentice. This will save you a great deal. In the long run, what you decide has to fit within your budget. That’s your starting point.

You can also make your upgrade happen in stages. Maybe this year you can add that new porcelain tub. Next year you completely redo the shower area. The project doesn't have to have an expiration date. Just get started. Everything else will fall into place.

Testimonial video of a redesigned upgraded bathroom using a Tub King tub.

In this article I have elaborated on trends and necessities for upgrading and redesigning your bathroom. I have covered many options including tub styles (pedestal, Clawfoot and walk-in) the new safety showers suites that are becoming popular. I further discuss, selecting contractors, how to budget, selecting a design and determining what parts are DIY and what needs a pro's touch.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. You can find more article like this one by typing in your search phrase in the search box at the top of this blog. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

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Some Things You Didn't Know ... About the Health Benefits of Walk-in Tubs

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: acessinc.com

With all the commercials on TV, in print and online featuring the Walk-in Tub, most people have some idea about the relaxing benefits of the Walk-in Tub. Advertising has also emphasized the safety benefits and the ease of use. However, there are many other benefits that come with warm/hot water therapy that you might not have realized. Importantly, your health.

Weight loss can be an additional benefit from regular use of the Walk-in Tub. As unbelievable as it may sound, recent studies have proven that the regular use of warm/hot water therapy can aid in the reduction of weight, as well as diminish the appearance of cellulite. This is because soaking in hot water can simulate the effects of aerobic exercise. The hydrotherapy provided by the tub dilates the blood vessels, promoting better circulation as it relaxes the skin and muscles. It also raises the heart rate, while lowering the blood pressure. This seems to indicate that soaking in a warm/hot water may also provide healthful benefits, similar to those stemming from mild aerobic exercise.

Photo Credit: businessoflosingweight.com

An article that appeared in the September 16, 1999 issue of the “New England Journal of Medicine” followed a group of subjects who were required to soak in hot water for 30 minutes a day, six days a week, for three weeks. Though the study was designed for diabetes research, the results were wide-reaching. The patients' weight was reduced by an average of 3.75 pounds. The subjects lost over one pound per week, just by soaking in hot water.

Routine use of hot-water-jetted therapy can also diminish the appearance of cellulite. The fatty deposits that typically gather on the hips, thighs and buttocks of most women past their 30s can never be fully eliminated, unless one undergoes expensive and invasive procedures such as liposuction. The design of a woman's body naturally causes the skin to dimple, whether she is overweight or thin. According to a variety of medical sources, the hydrotherapy that a Walk-in Tub provides stimulates the blood vessels, increasing circulation. It also tones the body tissue, reduces fluid retention, and relieves swelling. These factors combined can result in diminishing the appearance unsightly cellulite.

Photo Credit: tubz.com

Let me pause and explain the difference between the whirlpool and the air bath. Most Walk-in Tubs offer either or both features. The greatest difference in the two therapies is the type of massage provided. Whirlpool baths provide a more “aggressive,” deep tissue and joint massage. They’re often used to treat patients in hospitals, athletic training rooms, and physical therapy facilities. A whirlpool bath is extremely beneficial in treating muscle sprains, damaged joints, back problems and aches and pains that arise from time to time as we age. Both the “New England Journal of Medicine” and the National Arthritis Foundation have recognized and endorsed the benefits of hydrotherapeutic whirlpool baths in the enhancement of circulation, which is very important to anyone suffering from the effects of arthritis and diabetes, as well as injuries or just muscle stress from exercise. So again: whirlpool baths provide “high pressure” massage.

Photo Credit: cnbhomes.com

Air baths, on the other hand, provide a different type of massage than whirlpool baths. It is a less-deep, soft tissue massage. The low pressure soft massage of an air-jetted bath is provided by millions of heated air bubbles that contact the skin after they’re released from jet ports that are placed in various parts of the Walk-in Tub. The air bubbles that the blower produces sooth the body, boost cardiac output, open pores and improve circulation. Plus, let’s face it, they just feel great. It’s like being caressed by millions of tiny, tender loving bubbles. Air jet baths, then, provide a “low pressure” massage.

Photo Credit: pedemmorsels.com

Did you know that lower back pain is the number two reason in the U.S. (after colds and the flu) for a visit to the doctor? Millions of people suffer needlessly. In 1995, a study published in the “British Journal of Rheumatology” offered evidence that hot water therapy has both short- and long-term benefits for people with lower back pain. After three weeks of consistent spa therapy, examinations showed more improvement in the health status (as measured in pain duration, intensity and back flexibility) of the spa treatment group than of the medication-only group. After six months, significant improvement continued in the spa therapy group. In addition, patients’ use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs had decreased.

Another little known benefit of Walk-in Tubs is in surgical recovery. A study conducted in Alexandria, Virginia back in 2007 showed that warm water therapy aided in the recovery process for knee replacement patients. This study found that patients had improved range of motion and less pain and swelling throughout their recovery process. These were attributed to the time spent in hydrotherapy sessions.

Photo Credit: efit30.com

As I mentioned earlier, one significant benefit of warm water therapy is in improving the cardiovascular system. Soaking in hot water therapy can produce some of the same health benefits of aerobic (also known as “cardio”) exercise, with less stress to the heart. A warm water therapy experience increases the heart rate while lowering the blood pressure, instead of raising it, as other forms of exercise will do. Research led by Dr. Thomas G. Allison of the world-renowned Mayo Medical Center, examined the body temperature and cardiovascular stress experienced by 15 patients at risk for heart disease both in hot water and on exercise bicycles. The studies showed that exercise caused blood pressure to rise from an average of 121/73 to 170/84. By contrast, sitting in a hot water spa made the blood pressure drop from an average of 117/77 to 106/61. The article also states that warm water therapy can raise one’s heart rate by as much as 25.7 beats per minute.

Photo Credit: olympichottub.com

Now let's talk about diabetes for a moment. Can a Walk-in Tub really help? According to the Diabetes Association, over 15.7 million Americans are diabetic. Tight control of blood glucose (sugar) levels is the only defense against the many problems and side effects that come from diabetes. Studies published in the September 16, 1999 issue of the “New England Journal of Medicine” gave new hope to the millions who suffer from diabetes. It stated that hot tub therapy helped a group of American Type 2 diabetics reduce their blood sugar levels and improve sleep patterns.

Similarly, an independent study led by Dr. Phillip L. Hooper at the McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colorado studied a group of Type 2 diabetes patients for three weeks. The patients were required to soak in a hot tub for 30 minutes a day, six days a week, for the duration of the study. The results were astounding! The patients' average blood sugar levels were reduced by an average of 13%. Hooper also stated that one of the subjects was able to reduce his daily dose of insulin by 18% after only ten days of the study. In reference to these findings, Dr. Hooper stated that hot tubs are especially helpful for patients who were unable to exercise, and recommended that hot tub treatments should be included as regular therapy for patients with diabetes.

Photo Credit: hullcoexteriors.com

But aren't we talking about Walk-in Tubs in this article? Yes; keep in mind that the hot/warm water hydrotherapy benefits between a hot tub and a Walk-in tub are just the same. Plus, Walk-in Tubs have advantages over the hot tub. Their safety features immediately come to mind. With most hot tubs, getting into and out of the tub can be awkward and sometimes dangerous, especially for the elderly. Slipping and falling in the bathroom, statistically the most dangerous room in the house for seniors, is a possible risk that can be avoided entirely with the Walk-in Tub. Oriented in their design towards the senior population, Walk-in Tubs come with a low threshold for entering and exiting the tub; a water-tight door; a form-fitting, no-slip seat and floor; and internal grab bars. Additionally, the Walk-in Tub can be much more affordable than a large spa or hot tub.

The Walk-in Tub is a virtual, self-contained, safety-featured medical miracle when it comes to treating the body with air and water jets in warm/hot water. From the moment your body gets immersed in the Walk-in Tub, it begins to experience physiological changes that naturally make you feel better.

Why not immerse yourself in natural, hydrotherapeutic healing? The Walk-in Tub can provide many health benefits that will keep you going strong and feeling great.

In this article, I discussed some of the key health benefits that can be gained from regular use of hydrotherapy sessions in warm/hot water, particularly in a Walk-in Tub. I talked about the cardiovascular benefits, cosmetic results, weight loss statistics and help in controlling symptoms of diabetes that a Walk-in Tub can provide. I also discussed the difference between whirlpool therapy and air jet therapy.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

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