What is the Scientific Evidence for the Beneficial and Therapeutic Effects of Whirlpool/Hydrotherapy

From a broad spectrum, hydrotherapy is the use of water in any of its forms (hot, cold, ice, steam, etc. – cold water immersion, ice baths, saunas, etc.) to promote enhanced health, provide treatment of select diseases, provide quicker cellular recovery from vigorous exercise through various physiological or therapeutic effects on body tissues and systems, and prevent certain sports-related injuries.

The Evidence-Based Therapeutic Effects of Whirlpool/Hydrotherapy

A systematic review of studies looking at the effects of hydrotherapy on the major systems of the body (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049052/) concluded that, “hydrotherapy was widely used to improve immunity and for the management of pain, CHF, MI, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, PD, AS, RA, OAK, FMS, anorectal disorders, fatigue, anxiety, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperthermia, labor, etc.” It further stated that while acknowledging that hydrotherapy “produces different effects on various systems of the body depending on the temperature of water and though these effects are scientifically evidence based, there is a lack of evidences for the mechanism on how hydrotherapy improves these diseases . . .” The concluding statement by the researchers was, “Based on the available literature this review suggests that hydrotherapy has a scientific evidence-based effect on various systems of the body.” So, we see that hydrotherapy is used to produce both physical and psychological benefits for the user.

Does Whirlpool/Hydrotherapy Speed Recovery from Strenuous Exercise?

The athletes of today, from the high schooler to collegiate athletes and to the pros, are subjecting their bodies to rigorous physical activities that place significant stress on their body’s musculoskeletal, nervous, and metabolic systems. Elite athletes and athletes in any setting who engage in high-energy athletic participation, especially if it involves significant eccentric muscle contraction, can cause exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD), which may lead to the development of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), both of which are related in increased muscle soreness, stiffness, and swelling. These conditions can negatively impact training, recovery time from training or competition, and subsequent performance.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of research pertaining to contrast water therapy (CWT) and exercise induced muscle damage, researchers concluded that, “the current evidence base shows that CWT is superior to using passive recovery or rest after exercise”. The researchers further concluded that “other forms of strenuous exercise recovery intervention such as cold water immersion and warm water immersion are also effective in reducing muscle soreness, muscle damage, muscle strength and muscle power”. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23626806/). Consequently, it is advised that coaches, trainers and athletes determine the best recovery modality or delivery method for their unique circumstances – training schedules, preferences, facilities, and equipment. Further, individuals who participate in physical activity can receive the therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy just like the elite athletes.

Whitehall - A World Leader in Whirlpool Hydrotherapy Products.Whitehall Manufacturing is an industry leader in providing healthcare products to enable healthcare practitioners and sports trainers to provide their patients and their athletes with more effective treatments toward improved health and enhanced athlete recovery and improved performance.

Whitehall’s manufacturing experience and expertise also allows for the customization and organization name identification of products. They enthusiastically take on custom projects, modifying products or designing something new to make the function and style meet the needs of the application, the users, and the facility. Whitehall is uniquely qualified to provide superior products and service to the healthcare market, educational settings, sports teams, health spas, wellness clinics, therapy clinics, and individuals looking for interventions that enhance health, physical performance, and overall well-being.

Treatments used in sports medicine often involve cold therapy and heat therapy. Hydrotherapy whirlpools can be used for cold therapy or heat therapy baths. All of Whitehall’s cold and heat therapy products are constructed from durable materials such as stainless steel, maintaining an attractive appearance and reliable performance for many years under heavy use.

Whirlpool Hydrotherapy – Who Uses Them

Whirlpools for therapeutic treatment are used in a variety of settings. These include:

• Professional Teams Athletic Training Rooms
• Collegiate Teams Athletic Training Rooms
• High Schools Athletic Training Rooms
• Hospitals
• Physical Therapy Clinics
• Wellness Clinics
• Athletic Club Facilities
• Health Spas
• Private Homes

Getting the Right Whirlpool for your Facility and Hydrotherapy Needs

Many times, it is the job of the facility architects and contractors, those designing (or remodeling) and building the facilities that will house the whirlpools, to order the whirlpools on behalf of these organizations or businesses. Sometimes it is the athletic trainer, therapist, nurse, spa or wellness clinic owner, or homeowner who needs the information. Regardless of who it is, they need to know the dimensions of the whirlpools and other unique structural elements that could affect the space needed to properly accommodate the installed whirlpools.

Below are all the Whitehall Whirlpools offered by ProHealthcareProducts.com. Select the specific whirlpool for detailed information you may need to select the best whirlpool for your athletes or patients’ particular hydrotherapy needs, to evaluate the whirlpool space requirements for the design of a new facility, or to determine what whirlpool models will fit into existing facilities.

1.Whitehall Sports Whirlpools are recognized as the choice of professional, collegiate, and high school athletic trainers for the treatment and prevention of sport injuries and for the most rapid recovery from exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). They are ideal for treating most of the body, including the upper and lower extremities, hips, back, and shoulders.

Sports 85 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (S-85-M)

Sports 85 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (S-85-S)

Sports 85 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool with legs (S-85-SL)

Sports 90 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (S-90-M)

Sports 90 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (S-90-S)

Sports 90 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool with Legs (S-90-SL)

Sports 110 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (S-110-M)

Sports 110 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (S-110-S)

Sports 110 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool with Legs (S-110-SL)

2.Whitehall Extremity Whirlpools are low-gallon hydrotherapy tanks used to treat the upper and lower extremities. Specifically, their compact design is intended for treatment of the lower leg, ankle, and foot of the lower extremity, and the forearm, wrist, and hand of the upper extremity.

Extremity 15 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (E-15-M)

Extremity 15 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Handle (E-15-MH)

Extremity 15 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Undercarriage (E-15-MU)

Extremity 15 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (E-15-S)

Extremity 22 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (E-22-M)

Extremity 22 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Undercarriage (E-22-MU)

Extremity 22 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (E-22-S)

Extremity 22 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool with Pedestal (E-22-SP)

Extremity 27 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (E-27-M)

Extremity 27 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (E-27-S)

Extremity 45 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (E-45-M)

Extremity 45 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (E-45-S)

3.Whitehall Podiatry Whirlpools are specifically designed and recommended for therapeutic treatment of the ankle and foot.

Podiatry 10 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (P-10-M)

Podiatry 10 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Handle (P-10-MH)

Podiatry 10 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Undercarriage (P-10-MU)

Podiatry 10 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (P-10-S)

Podiatry 15 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (P-15-M)

Podiatry 15 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Handle (P-15-MH)

Podiatry 15 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool with Undercarriage (P-15-MU)

Podiatry 15 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (P-15-S)

Podiatry 22 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (P-22-M)

Podiatry 22 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (P-22-S)

4.Whitehall Hi-Boy Whirlpools feature taller sides to allow for therapeutic rehabilitation of the back, hip and shoulder areas and can accommodate full-body immersion.

Hi-Boy 60 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (H-60-M)

Hi-Boy 60 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (H-60-S)

Hi-Boy 75 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (H-75-M)

Hi-Boy 75 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (H-75-S)

Hi-Boy 90 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (H-90-M)

Hi-Boy 90 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (H-90-S)

Hi-Boy 105 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (H-105-M)

Hi-Boy 105 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (H-105-S)

5.Whitehall Lo-Boy Whirlpools with their lower sides provide the variabilities of treating the extremities, back and hip area or full body immersion. They are perfect for the treatment of pediatric and geriatric allowing ease of accessibility and greater degree of patient care and safety. Even allows space for exercising.

Lo-Boy 75 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (L-75-M)

Lo-Boy 75 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (L-75-S)

Lo-Boy 90 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (L-90-M)

Lo-Boy 90 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (L-90-S)

Lo-Boy 105 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (L-105-M)

Lo-Boy 105 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (L-105-S)

Lo-Boy 105 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool with Legs (L-105-SM)

6.Whitehall Slant Back Whirlpools are designed for comfort by allowing the user to recline in the hydrotherapy tank, relieving pressure on the low back and hips. Great for treating the legs, torso, hips, back, and bariatric patients.

Slant Back 110 Gallon Mobile Whirlpool (SB-100-M)

Slant Back 110 Gallon Stationary Whirlpool (SB-100-S)

7.Whitehall Full Body Immersion & Hubbard Tanks allows for full body immersion to create a sense of weightlessness allowing for unique therapy situations. These tanks provide room for body motion and exercise, allow medical staff easier access to patients, and a less painful treatment in the relief of burns and other skin conditions.

Full-Body 260 Gallon Rectangular Immersion Tank (F-260-S)

Full-Body 300 Gallon Rectangular Immersion Tank (F-300-S)

Full-Body 270 Gallon Hubbard Tank (F-270-S)

Full-Body 425 Gallon Hubbard Tank (F-425-S)

8.Whitehall Turbines provide whirlpool agitation and a massaging effect to the target area in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries or skin burn and other skin condition treatment.

12” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-12-S)

15” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-15-S)

18” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-18-S)

21” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-21-S)

22” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-22-S)

25” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-25-S)

28” Depth Stationary Turbine (TA-28-S)

12” Depth Mobile Turbine (TA-12-M)

15” Depth Mobile Turbine (TA-15-M)

18” Depth Mobile Turbine (TA-18-M)

21” Depth Mobile Turbine (TA-21-M)

25” Depth Mobile Turbine (TA-25-M)

28” Depth Mobile Turbine (TA-28-M)

9.White Hall Cold Tanks are designed and dedicated for cold therapy as an important part of recovery from exercise by creating a muscle-guarding effect in the prevention of further damage. Cold water tanks cannot be converted to whirlpools. (Note: Whirlpools can function as both whirlpool therapy tubs and cold tanks by removing the turbine assembly and thermometer when cold therapy is required)

Hi-Boy 60 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (60-H-M-TO)

Hi-Boy 60 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (60-H-S-TO)

Hi-Boy 75 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (75-H-M-TO)

Hi-Boy 75 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (75-H-S-TO)

Lo-Boy 75 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (75-L-M-TO)

Lo-Boy 75 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (75-L-S-TO)

Sport 85 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (85-S-M-TO)

Sport 85 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (85-S-S-TO)

Sport 85 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank with Legs (85-S-SL-TO)

Hi-Boy 90 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (90-H-M-TO)

Hi-Boy 90 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (90-H-S-TO)

Lo-Boy 90 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (90-L-M-TO)

Lo-Boy 90 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (90-L-S-TO)

Sport 90 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (90-S-M-TO)

Sport 90 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (90-S-S-TO)

Sport 90 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank with Legs (90-S-SL-TO)

Hi-Boy 105 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (105-H-M-TO)

Hi-Boy 105 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (105-H-S-TO)

Lo-Boy 105 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (105-L-M-TO)

Lo-Boy 105 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (105-L-S-TO)

Lo-Boy 105 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank with Legs (105-L-SL-TO)

Sport 110 Gallon Mobile Cold Tank (110-S-M-TO)

Sport 110 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank (110-S-S-TO)

Sport 110 Gallon Stationary Cold Tank with Legs (110-S-SL-TO)

10.Whitehall Whirlpool Accessories are designed to complement your whirlpools providing logistical and biomechanical advantages for safe and effective operation and treatment delivery.

Tank Top Seat for 20” Whirlpool (TTS-1)

Tank Top Seat for 24” Whirlpool Seat (TTS-2)

Adjustable Suspension Seat for 20” Wide Whirlpool (AS-1)

Adjustable Suspension Seat for 24” Wide Whirlpool (AS-2)

Adjustable Suspension Seat for Lo-Boy Whirlpool (AS-3)

Reclining Seat (RS)

Adjustable Head Rest (HR)

Hydrolift for 10 Gallon Whirlpool (HL-10-M)

Hydrolift for 15 Gallon Whirlpool (HL-15-M)

Hydrolift for 22 Gallon Whirlpool (HL-22-M)

Auxiliary Drain Hose Assembly (ADH)

Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI)

Lead Free Thermostatic Mixing Valve (MXT15-OTG)

Washout Hose Kit for Whirlpool Mixing Valve (MXWH)

Bath Stretcher Lift (PHS-10)

Bath Chair Lift (PHS-20)

Combination Bath and Chair Lift (PHS-30)

Separate Drain & Overflow Assembly on Stationary Whirlpools (SDO)

Separate Drain – Mobile Whirlpools and Whirlpools with Legs (SDP)

11. Whitehall HydroChlor Antiseptic is designed to sanitize and deodorize Whitehall hydrotherapy products in between uses. It is effective in killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, E. coli, MRSA, and spores. This professional medical-grade Hazmat-certified formulation consists of 100% Chloramine-T and features a minimum 24.5% active chlorine. It is sold in pre-measured packets for quick and easy sanitation and will not leave any residue or stains.

48 pre-measured packets of 15 grams each. Suitable for tanks under 20 gallons (HC-15)

36 pre-measured packets of 30 grams each. Suitable for tanks 20-40 gallons (HC-30)

24 pre-measured packets of 50 grams each. Suitable for tanks 20-70 gallons (HC-50)

24 pre-measured packets of 80 grams each. Suitable for tanks 70-110 gallons (HC-80)

5 lbs. product in plastic tub. Suitable for all size tanks (HC-5LB-1)

Four 5 lbs. plastic tubs. Suitable for all size tanks (HC-5LB)