Spa pools

Although the term spa pool has no specific meaning, it is generally considered to include any indoor or outdoor pool (normally of a small size) that offers some kind of therapeutic treatment, ritual or experience.

These pools can be called hydro pools, Jacuzzis, hydrotherapy pools, hot tubs etc.

The feature that they all have in common is that they energize the water in some way and the result of this process is deemed to be beneficial to the bather. This kind of water therapy may involve using water jets, jets of air, heat or creating a current (movement) within the water.

These hydrotherapy pools can be installed within a home, either inside or as part of a patio area, or they can be found in relaxation retreats, spa hotels and beauty therapy centres.

Hospitals also have hydrotherapy suites and these are actively used during rehabilitations and recovery from injury and illness.

In all cases the sensations and effects of moving or energised water have been proven to have numerous positive results. These start with general relaxation that can help to create a calm and meditative state, and extent to muscle relaxation and skin and joint therapies than can help in easing aching, discomfort and even speed up healing and recovery.

As a generalization, the weight supporting effect of water (making the body feel weightless) combined with the massaging action of air or water jets, which promote circulation, puts most people in a good mood. The fact that home spas are often used for a social get together also adds to their popularity.

Typical home based spa pool

Most home based spa pools take the form of a small Jacuzzi, typically intended for between 2 and 8 people. These pools are made from fibreglass and normally have a moulded seating ledge running around their perimeter upon which the bathers sit and relax.

In most cases the pool will have a warm Jacuzzi function that allows the pressure and water temperature of the water jets to be varied based upon pre-programmed and thermostatic settings.

These pools are normally supplied with a lid (to prevent debris from entering them when they are not in use) and they only take a matter of minutes to become operational once they are switched on.