What is a therapeutic bath in a walk-in tub?
Updated September 2026
A therapeutic bath, in an Ella walk-in tub, is a bath taken with one or more of the tub's therapeutic massage systems running: air massage, hydro massage, independent foot massage or microbubbles, often with the heated seat and the chromatherapy light alongside. Ella's own component diagrams label these packages Air Therapeutic Massage and Hydro Therapeutic Massage, and Which Therapy Combinations Fit Which Tub: Hydro, Air, Microbubble, and Foot Massage by Model lists the six packages a tub can be ordered with, from a plain Soaking tub to Air + Hydro + Microbubble. This page explains what each system does, how the controls work, and what the jet layout is designed to do for the bather.
The Systems That Make a Bath Therapeutic
Each system on an Ella tub has its own pump under the seat, and Ella does not use a diverter to split one pump between systems, so every system you order can run at the same time. The table summarizes the components as the schematics print them.
| System | What it moves | How it is controlled | As printed on the schematic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air massage | Air through the air jets | ON/OFF push button or digital controller; three speeds | Variable Speed Pump with Auto Purge; jet count on the tub's technical drawing |
| Seat hydro massage | Bath water through the back and hip jets | ON/OFF push button or digital controller plus an intensity dial | Hydro Pump; Hydro Massage Air Flow Intensity Control |
| Hydro foot massage | Bath water through the foot and calf jets on its own pump | ON/OFF button plus an intensity dial | Hydro Pump; Hydro Massage Air Flow Intensity Control |
| Microbubble | Bath water on its own pump | not listed | not listed |
| LED chromatherapy | Colored light in the tub | One press on, two second hold off | Led Light Chromatherapy |
| In-line water heater | Bath water passing through the hydro system | Automatic with the hydro pump | In-Line Water Heater Control Box |
| Ozone generator | Ozone into the circulating water | Automatic | Ozone Sanitation System |
The difference between the two families is simple. An air massage system moves air rather than bath water, which is why the LayDown air diagram shows no water pump, no in-line heater and no ozone generator. A hydro massage system draws bath water through a pump and pushes it back out through the jets, so a hydro package brings the in-line heater and the ozone sanitation system with it. Any package with two systems is a dual massage package and includes the LED chromatherapy light.
What the Jet Layout Is Designed to Do
The video below is Ella's walk-through of the therapeutic jet layout, and it shows the thinking behind where the jets sit. The water jets in the back of the tub are recessed, so you can lay across them without any interference from the jet bodies. The hip jets are positioned low so they reach the hip and continue down the leg on both sides, and the presenter describes them as aimed at the places bathers tell Ella they are sore, including after hip replacements, knee surgeries and with arthritis. The tub shown also has two independent water pumps with two intakes: fill the tub to just above the foot jets and run pump one to circulate water over only your feet and behind your legs, or fill the tub all the way and run pump two for a full body massage. The air jets are what move the water around the tub, which the presenter describes as leaving you feeling fresh and clean. These are comfort features rather than medical treatment, and anyone managing a health condition should check with their doctor before using massage therapies.
On the hydro side, strength is adjustable. Every Ella tub with hydro massage has an intensity control dial on the deck. Turning it up introduces more air into the jet stream for a stronger flow, and turning it down reduces the air for a gentler one. The silent dial clip in the video library shows the change in the jet stream as the dial turns.
How You Run a Therapeutic Bath
The controls are the same across the lineup whether your deck has push buttons or a digital touchpad, and Every Therapy and Control Video in One Place collects the short clips for each one.
- Fill the tub. For a foot-only massage on a tub with the independent foot pump, fill to just above the foot jets; for a full massage, fill above the highest jets.
- Start the hydro massage with the water button and set the strength with the intensity dial.
- Start the air massage with a gentle palm push. The first press is high speed, the second press is medium, the third press is low, and a fourth press turns the system off.
- On a digital touchpad, the icons work the same way, with plus and minus for adjustment. The light comes on with one press and goes off with a two second hold.
- When you are done, switch the systems off and drain the tub.
About 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off, the pump starts on its own and runs for 120 seconds to blow leftover water out of the air lines. This is Auto Purge, a function built into the air pump itself. It cannot be stopped, it ends by itself, and it is normal even if it begins while you are still in the tub or after you have left the bathroom. On hydro packages, the ozone generator sanitizes the circulating water as part of the system, and the in-line heater keeps the bath water warm while the hydro pump runs.
Which Tubs Carry Which Systems
How many therapies a tub can carry comes down to space under the seat, because each system needs its own pump. Compact 52 inch tubs such as the Petite, Capri and Transfer26 take up to two systems. The Royal, Monaco, Transfer32 and Transfer60 take three, and the large single-seat and two-seat frames such as the Big4One, ShaK and the two-seat tubs can take all four. The LayDown 30x60 and 32x72 take one therapy only, air, hydro or microbubble, and the Standard, Zen and Flow are hydro only. The Front Entry offers air and hydro combinations but no foot package and no LED, and hydrogen is offered only on the Standard60 and cannot be combined with microbubbles.
The component diagram for your package is the document your electrician works from. What the Air + Hydro + Hydro Foot Schematic Shows walks through the seven-component diagram for push-control tubs, including how the control box splits its two loads, and What the LayDown Air Massage Schematic Shows covers the simplest package, one push control, one control box and one air pump. The LayDown air diagram prints a single outlet requirement, a GFCI protected dedicated 20 amp, 120 volt wall outlet, with the air pump rated 110 to 120 volts and 4.5 amps, and multi-system diagrams print more, so hand the right schematic to your electrician before the rough-in. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm which package your model supports and which diagram applies.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Ella's Bubbles Jetting Systems This segment highlights the thoughtful design and layout of Ella's Bubbles therapeutic jet systems, including recessed water jets and strategically placed hip jets.
- 1:10 Independent Foot and Body Massage Ella's Bubbles bathtubs offer two independent water pumps, allowing for a dedicated foot massage or a full-body massage.
- 1:43 Air Jets and Bidet Jets The video explains the function of air jets for circulation and cleansing, along with the placement of bidet jets and durable brass air jets.
- 2:50 Control Options and Auto Purge Customers can choose from digital or push-button controls, and every Ella's Bubbles massage system includes an automatic purge cycle for sanitation.
- 4:13 Competitor Tub Comparisons The video compares Ella's Bubbles jetting to competitor tubs, pointing out differences in jet quantity, placement, and material quality.
- 6:46 Unique Angled Foot Jets Ella's Bubbles features uniquely designed angled foot jets at the base of the tub, ensuring a comfortable and thorough foot massage.
Watch: Walk-In Tub with Therapeutic Jets for Ultimate Relaxation: Voted Safest 2020 | Ella’s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.
Related Guides
- What Comes With Each Therapy Package: Pumps, In-Line Heater, Ozone, Auto Purge, LED, Dials, Pressure Tank and Controls at a Glance
- Common Questions About Choosing Therapies: Hydro or Air for Muscle Tension, Foot Massage Versus Microbubble, Fewer Jets, and Whether Ozone Is a Therapy
- Hydro Massage vs Air Massage vs Microbubble: What Each System Does and How They Combine
Related Videos
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Adjusting Hydro Jet Pressure The technician demonstrates how to adjust the pressure of a hydro jet by turning its center nozzle.
- 0:21 Loosening Butterfly Handles If the center nozzle is difficult to turn, the technician shows how to loosen the butterfly handles using pliers.
- 0:48 Ensuring Valve Is Open To ensure the valve is fully open, the technician removes the jet and aligns its half-cut opening with the internal hole.
- 1:20 Securing the Jet The technician tightens the nut for the jet to secure it in place, preventing the nozzle from turning.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Push Controls Versus Digital Touchpad Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs offer a choice between on/off push controls and a digital touchpad for easy bathing.
- 0:45 Controlling Air Massage With Touchpad The air bubble icon on the digital touchpad activates the air massage, with plus and minus buttons adjusting intensity.
- 1:21 Chromo Therapy Light Functions Chromo therapy light functions the same with both control types, cycling through colors or selecting a specific one.
Common Questions
Do I need jets to enjoy a therapeutic bath in an Ella tub?
Can I run the foot massage without filling the whole tub?
Why does my tub start running after I have finished bathing?
Can I run air massage and hydro massage at the same time?
How do I make the hydro massage stronger or gentler?
Is the water in a hydro massage system sanitized?
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