Since Ancient Egyptian times, hydrotherapy has been used to treat a number of health conditions, in particular by harnessing the massaging effects of moving water coupled with gentle heat.

Hot, bubbling springs occur in many parts of the world and are used enthusiastically by locals and visitors, but for those of us who would like to have something a little closer to home and a little more privacy, a hot tub in the garden provides a more convenient option.

All that’s needed is a suitable flat surface, such as a patio, decking or a concrete base and an electricity supply.

Hot tubs work by removing warm water from the shell (or inside) of the tub, circulating it around the outside of the shell and then powerfully pumping it back in via nozzles.

By adjusting the pressure and types of the nozzles and locating them in various places on the shell sides, the water jets can be used to massage different parts of the body, particularly the back and shoulders.

Hot tubs were originally developed in Finland but they have become popular further afield, particularly in America where they are used for social and relaxation purposes as much as for therapy. Having said that, the list of possible health benefits is impressive.

Hot tubs can help people with arthritis and joint and muscle pains, and they can also be a suitable treatment for people with certain types of diabetes by improving blood circulation.

Because of their relaxing nature, hot tubs are also good for managing stress and its related conditions and research carried out by the Mayo Clinic in the USA has suggested that they can play a part in lowering blood pressure.

In addition, insomniacs report improved sleep patterns after using a hot tub and the massaging effect is also said to aid weight loss.

Today, hot tubs are not just the preserve of clinics and health centres – anyone can be a proud owner for around £4,000 upwards. But with a market that has grown 25-30% in the last two years, there are a lot of brands and types to choose from which can be a little bewildering for the first-time purchaser.

Richard Carpenter is the branch manager of HotSprings hot tubs based at Squires Garden Centre in Badshot Lea. His initial advice is always think about what you want to use your tub for.

“There are a lot of different types of nozzles and if you want to use your tub for treating a health condition, then you might want to consider specific types of nozzles appropriate to your problem,” said Richard. “Otherwise, if it’s just for fun and relaxation, you just need one with a selection of jets to your liking.

"But remember, you don’t necessarily need lots of powerful jets. The hot tub experience is supposed to be therapeutic and relaxing, not painful.”

Jets should be positioned correctly to allow them to be aimed at the relevant parts of the body, such as the back, neck, legs and even the feet and wrists, and it is a good idea to look for jets which have adjustable nozzles so the direction of flow can be altered.

There are various styles of nozzle, each  giving a different type of water flow according to the type of sensation required  - some give a firm pummelling, while others might feel more like a strong tickle.

For Richard, there is no substitute for seeing your potential tub firsthand, and you should arrange to have a wet test before purchase so you can find out which types of jets and seating arrangements you prefer.

He explained that there are a number of companies selling tubs on the internet, but although these may appear to offer good value for money, they might not be all they seem.

He continued: “If you buy from a reputable dealer such as HotSprings, you will get peace of mind, not to mention installation and a back-up service which includes, in our case, a five-year warranty.

You won’t get this if you buy off the internet when your tub will literally be dropped on your doorstep, it will probably have a  12-month guarantee and any back-up is likely to be minimal.

“And there is also the possibility that your tub won’t work well in the UK.  There are a lot of low-priced Chinese ones out there which cannot be used successfully in this country. ”

But the problems don’t stop there. As with most things, you get what you pay for and a cheap tub, although it may look flashy with many features for the money, could turn out to be a costly mistake.

A good quality tub should last as long as 15 to 20 years, but less expensive varieties could need replacing after as little as eight. Furthermore, cheaper construction processes make these tubs less energy efficient with the result they can be uneconomical to run.

“Most of our tubs cost between £3.80 and £5.20 a week to run,” said Richard. “We know how much energy they use, so we can give customers an accurate costing. If they find it costs more, we will find out why.”

Although the tubs can be thermostatically controlled to run at different temperatures (you might want to have cool water in your tub in the hot summer months), insulation is an important consideration.

By filling the gap between the outer cabinet and the shell with solid foam, heat loss is kept to a minimum. Richard warns against tubs which use air pockets for insulation as these will not be up to the job. Choosing a tub with good insulation will keep heating costs down, particularly once you discover the pleasures of winter hot tub bathing.

Similarly, the construction of the cabinet is an important consideration. A well-made tub will have a good quality, man-made cabinet that is tough and durable. Again, cheaper ones may have a cabinet that is too thin and this will eventually start to crack.

“Although a wood cabinet looks very nice when it’s new, I would advise against it,” added Richard. “It requires a relatively high level of maintenance compared with ours, which just need a hose down occasionally. Wood soon starts to look tatty, and in the end, it will rot.”

Of course, having a fixed budget will narrow down the choice for most people, but Richard believes that going to the top end of your price range will be money well spent; for example, you will have a better motor as well as possibly a larger size and more features.

He continued: “A bigger tub won’t necessarily cost a lot more to run, so if you want to have parties occasionally, you might be better going for a large tub for several people.

“By buying an efficient, low maintenance tub, you save a lot on the running costs. Water has to be sanitised and pH balanced using chlorine and other swimming pool chemicals, but it will need to be changed every so often.

“Our tubs have a unique system where the water is continuously filtered and cleaned, which makes for a more pleasant bathing experience and reduces the need for frequent water changes. Every time you change the water, you have to rebalance and reheat it, so the less you have to do this, the better.

“Our circulation system is silent, too, so your tub won’t annoy you or your neighbours if it’s sited near the house. Other makes may not be so quiet. Once again, it’s a case of choosing for quality rather than price.”

For further details, call 01252 352790 or visit www.hotspring.co.uk