OOOOH YeaHHHHHH,
They certainly help relax muscle and being in water seems to decompres weight bearing problems. I've seeen comp pay for strange things like gym memberships rather than continued PT once you stop making notable progress in PT, but never a Hot tub or jacuuzzi.
My parents had a nice one installed before my moms TKR and it's been a lifesaver for all their aches in pains as they are now aproaching 65. MY mom starts and ends her day in that thing and It makes the 4 hour trip bearable knowing some relief is waiting.
Now that we all know about your brother in laws, were crashin his house tonight. a little barbacue would be nice, maybe some fressh fruit and ask him to turn down the heat a bit in the summer, I'll be there.
Like computers, the prices of basic portable hot tubs has drasticlly fallen to the $800 range and you can take them easily with you when you move. These aren't the fanciest ones in that price range, but there is something about water, boyancy and those bubbles that makes it worth while. I just had a small windfall and was seriously looking at them but my computer went and these days if you don't have a computer for your children it puts them at a huge disadvantage at school or has you driving to the library quite often. So we went the computer route, but this keyboard isn't doing a thing for my back. LOL
Take care, Dave