What’s special about the water itself

Here’s why the water at Sam’s Family Spa (Desert Hot Springs) is a big deal—and what it may do for you:

What’s special about the water itself

• It’s true hot mineral spring water, not chlorinated pool water. Sam’s fills its soaking pools with natural well water and keeps them chlorine-free, so you’re soaking in the real mineral composition—not a standard chemically treated pool.  
• The Desert Hot Springs aquifer is unusual. On “Miracle Hill,” hot and cold aquifers sit side-by-side; the hot water rises at ~120–170 °F and is famously tasteless and odorless (lower sulfur smell than many springs). The region’s waters commonly contain bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium (and trace minerals), with a gently alkaline pH (~8.3).  

Why that matters for how you feel

A soak combines three things that tend to feel restorative:

1. Heat & hydrostatic pressure (the “spa effect”)
   Warm water increases circulation, relaxes muscle tone, and buoyancy unloads joints—mechanisms behind the pain and stiffness relief many people report after soaks. Clinical reviews of thermal-water balneotherapy show meaningful reductions in chronic musculoskeletal pain (e.g., low-back pain, arthritis) versus control bathing.  
2. Mineral contact with skin
   Dermatology research on thermal waters (various springs) finds anti-inflammatory, soothing, barrier-supporting effects on the skin—useful for sensitive or inflamed skin. Silica-rich waters in particular have shown lab and clinical signals for calming irritation and supporting the epidermal barrier.  
3. Bicarbonate-rich soaking & whole-body relaxation
   Studies of neutral bicarbonate ionized baths suggest improvements in perceived stress, sleep quality, and immune markers, aligning with the classic “nervous-system downshift” people feel after a proper soak.  

“What exactly is healing in the water?”

Think of it less as a single “magic” ingredient and more as a package of thermal + mineral + buoyancy effects:

• Bicarbonate & a mildly alkaline pH (~8): gentle on skin; may help calm irritation while the warmth relaxes muscles. (Local DHS water is typically bicarbonate-rich, especially south of the Mission Creek fault.)  
• Calcium & magnesium: often cited for muscle relaxation and skin comfort; any transdermal absorption is debated (see next section), but contact can still be soothing for the skin surface.  
• Silica: associated with skin-barrier support and soothing properties in thermal-water research.  
• Low sulfur odor: DHS waters are typically odorless/tasteless, which many people find more pleasant than “egg-smelling” springs—so you can soak longer without the sensory fatigue.  

A quick word on mineral “absorption”

You’ll see claims that magnesium and other ions soak through your skin. The science is mixed: some lab work suggests magnesium ions can permeate via hair follicles, but broader reviews say evidence remains limited. Translation: enjoy mineral soaks for how they make you feel, but don’t bank on them to correct nutrient deficiencies. 

How to get the most benefit at Sam’s

• Do short, repeated sessions (e.g., 10–20 minutes warm soak → cool-down → repeat) rather than one long cook; hydrate between rounds. This mirrors how clinical balneotherapy is typically structured.  
• Target what you want: let heat relax tight areas; use gentle stretching in-water for back/hip relief; allow face/arms to air-cool if you’re heat-sensitive (helps prolong sessions). (Generalized from balneotherapy practice patterns.)  

Who tends to benefit

People with back/neck pain, exercise soreness, stress, sleep trouble, or sensitive skin often report the biggest gains from thermal-mineral soaks—consistent with published outcomes on pain, function, stress, and skin comfort. 

Safety notes (so you leave happy)

• Hydrate and limit heat if you’re pregnant, have cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are heat-sensitive.
• Rinse after soaking if you have very reactive skin; patch-test if you’re in a flare. (General medical caution; individualized advice = talk to your clinician.)

Bottom line: Sam’s water is the “real stuff”—naturally hot, mineral-rich, and chlorine-free—drawn from one of North America’s rare, odorless hot-spring aquifers. The combination of heat, buoyancy, and gentle minerals explains why so many people feel looser, calmer, and clearer-skinned after a session.