Hand jets

[Chas]

HotSpring offers, and I have owned, spas with hand jets now, and I think it is a nice feature. Other makers have had these jets, and still others have just introduced them for '05.

I have people who look at the jets and ask about help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I have not talked with my Doc about it, but my gut reaction is that it is not a good idea to put hydromassage right on the affected area. Better to enjoy the warmth of the water and the relaxing effect on muscles and such.

Have any of you talked to a medical professional about this? My Doctor is a GP, and I was wondering if a specialist might be the one to ask. I want to to the best - most accurate -  job of representing these special new jets. Any input?

BTW = I don't have CTS, though my wife says that I'll give it to a certain someone (and most likely be sued) if I'm not careful.

[hottubber]

Chas,

I am not sure about the clinical aspects of the CTS and the wrist jets.
I do want to know how you can put the picture on the thread. I think that is cool. I am not as computer savvy as most, so that is why I ask this question.
I am also interested in the effect on CTS for spas with these jets.

[Chas]

Chas,
I want to know how you can put the picture on the thread. I think that is cool. I am not as computer savvy as most, so that is why I ask this question.
I am also interested in the effect on CTS for spas with these jets.

Find a picture you want - it must be posted on a site. Then put the url of the picture in between these:

[ img ] [ /img ]

Like this: [ img ] http://www.hotspring.com/Hot_Tub_Jets/gifs/wristjets.gif [ /img ]

Type it without the spaces and it will work. You can hit control U to see the code for this whole page, but you'll have to figure out where the pictures are on the page.

[Lori]

Hey Chas,

I asked my orthopedist who diagnosed my CPT (which was a few months before I bought my tub).  The warmth of the water and relaxing effect on muscles is really great.  The wrist jets don't hurt, mind you, it can relax the muscles which tend to pinch the "carpal tunnel" and cause it to swell and in turn pinch the nerves.  (Please, understand this is all layman's terms.  I am not an M.D.)  The problem I found with wrist jets in another brand of tub, but being vertically challenged, they hit my palms instead!

Sometimes, if my wrist and hand are swelling really bad, I will put it in front of one of the pulsating jets (I forget what they are technically called) and give it a good workout.

The next time I go in, I will see if he can give me a better explanation.

I can say, I notice a reduction in swelling after only a few minutes in my tub!

[nicker]

I have wrist/hand jets and love them.  I didn't think much about them when I bought the tub....but I tell you they do work.  I am tall so I can get the benefit of using them on my wrists or hands.   I haven't asked my doctor about it but I personally think they work.  I had sore wrists and hands the other day from doing drywall work.  After the tub I felt great...but I always do anyway after using the tub, after all that is why I bought it.

[Drewski]

Hi All:

What I REALLY like about this board is the range of topics. It's not often I get to answer paramedic type questions anymore (I'm still a certified EMT-P), but I'll give it a shot. REMEMBER, I'm no Doctor (this advice is purely for entertainment purposes only), but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night (REALLY, I did!). The following is only OPINION :

The "Carpal Tunnel" is a bony, narrow passage where the hand and wrist meet on the same side of the palm.  The median nerve and tendons pass through this tunnel to the thumb, index, and middle fingers. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" (CTS) is caused by repetitive and stressful hand motions without variation or relief. This stresses the tendons, causing them to swell, pressing the nerve against the bone. In other words, PAIN!

CTS, in early stages, is really no different then common tendonitis. Stop re-injuring the site and the symptoms will go away. If re-injury is common, scar tissue develops causing permanent pressure on the nerve. This condition usually requires surgery.

Now, what about a hot tub? Well, as Chas indicated, hot water can be good. It loosens connective tissue (muscle and tendons) by easing contractility. If the water is hot enough, it also opens blood and lymph vessels meaning the vascular fluid (clear stuff) gets "third spaced" (flows into the area between the cells and "hangs out") meaning concentrated swelling in tendons (caused by the same fluid) will be reduced. Wrist pressure massage jets can assist with this because the hundreds or thousands of "water hammers" that hit the affected area reduce muscle contractility by relaxation and concentrating heat against tissue.

Now, here's the catch. If this is done in more advance stages of CTS, or when the symptoms are very fresh, the opposite effect can occur. To an extent, heat causes an initial increase in swelling (especially if the water is not "hot" enough to cause "third spacing") meaning that increased pain could occur. COLD, in the form of ice in a towel, is probably the BEST initial treatment. Motrin, for pain and anti-inflammatory use, will also help. Follow up with the hot tub after several hours for longer term relief.

Advanced CTS patients will probably feel no better from hot tub wrist jets, especially after recent stressing of the CTS wrist. Borderline CTS cases WILL benefit from continued use, BUT the BEST treatment is preventing the pattern of injury.

Again, I'd suggest talking to an Orthopedist for the best advice, but you got my 2 cents...

Drewski

[hottubber]

Drewski,....

Its all about the Motrin after reading that... ; :-/