Enjoy Significant Health Benefits from a Home Sauna or Steam Bath

Sitting in a steam bath or sauna may be the most vigorous activity you have participated in all day - for health benefits you may never have imagined!

What do I mean by that?

Because - although you're relaxed on the outside, internal organs are working hard for better health. Capillaries in the skin dilate and the heart works faster to keep up with the increased demand for blood flow.

A Natural Healing Process

The surrounding heat of a sauna or steam bath increases energy output in our cells, and this leads to an artificial fever. Since fevers are the body's natural defense against bacteria and infection, a natural form of heat treatment can facilitate the healing process.

The sweat being released rids the body of wastes and keeps skin clean and pliant. Because viruses, toxins and tumors do not tolerate heat well, the body can heal itself in the high temperatures of saunas and steam baths.

Reverse the Detrimental Effects of a Modern Lifestyle

Many of us live sedentary lives and don't sweat us much as we should to keep our bodies healthy. Add to that pollution, synthetic clothing, lotions, sprays and idle jobs - there's a lot in our lifestyles that does not contribute to good health.

Skin - Cleansing from the Inside Out

Skin is a complex organ with blood vessels, oil glands, nerve endings and waterproof cells that stop bacteria from getting into our bodies. Sweating removes impurities from pores - like an all over facial.

Supple and healthy skin is better prepared to resist athlete's foot, pimples, eczema and blackheads. Use a loofa sponge to remove dried skin that can accumulate and clog pores.

A Secret to Overall Health Maintenance

Personal stories and clinical trials both support the claim that the deep penetrating heat of infrared saunas and steam baths can relieve joint stiffness and the pain of arthritis.

Sweat draws out lactic acid which causes stiff muscles and results in overall fatigue. As muscles relax they take on more oxygen to help us feel refreshed and energized for overall health.

Treat muscle spasms and soft tissue injuries with steam baths and saunas. Don't apply heat to acute injuries however - muscle and tissue injuries should be treated with cold, compression and elevation first. An injury is best treated with heat after a couple of days.

An Effective Treatment to Lessen Pain...

Because blood is flowing faster and capillaries near the skin's surface are bigger, the swelling and inflammation from edema can be reduced. This leads to decreased pain and quicker healing. Burn patients can also benefit with shorter healing time and less scarring.

...and Treat Other Health Issues

Enjoy sauna benefits that open nasal passages, help sinuses drain and get rid of the common cold. Feel better from headaches and hangovers, menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms.

Use steam baths to treat infected eczema, acne and post surgical infections. Lower cholesterol. Get rid of toxic metals such as mercury and copper. Flush lead and zinc from your body with the faster flow of blood.

Some doctors recommend home saunas to supplement kidney dialysis. This is because of their ability to detoxify the system and get rid of urea, a byproduct of metabolism.

Losing Weight in a Sauna

Although your weight will drop, the weight loss is caused by losing fluids - and it will be replaced as soon as you drink something. However, there is some "exercise" benefit to a sauna because of the amount of work the heart has to do and the effort put out to cool the body - look forward to burning 300-500 calories per half hour session.

What About Those with Disabilities

Sauna health can be part of the answer for people who are not able to exert themselves in a strenuous exercise program. The body responds to the deep heat penetration with an increase in heart volume and rate. Cardiovascular conditioning takes place as the body works to cool itself - with the added benefit of higher metabolism.

The Question is - Can I Believe All These Claims?

Ongoing studies have shown some health claims to be overstated and some to be unprovable. Results and conclusions have been both controversial and debatable.

Modern medicine may not support some of the exaggerated promises made by sauna and steam bath proponents. However, there are hundreds of years of personal experience and cultural practices that support the value of regular saunas and steam baths for better health.

Believe the Experts

Finnish, Russian, Turkish and American Indian cultures have used sweat baths for better mental, physical and spiritual health. Japanese and Chinese researchers report some astounding results.

Scientists from Germany and Finland are creating intensive studies to measure the effects of sweating and heating on the body. European doctors are more familiar with the detoxification value of saunas and steambaths and so are more likely to recommend them to their patients.

Quick Tips for Using Saunas and Steam Baths

- Consult a physician - do not self treat any disease. Involve health professionals if you have multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypertension or a serious heart condition.

- Drinking alcohol before a sauna causes a greater drop in blood pressure and may cause problems for older people or those with existing heart problems.

- If saunas have not been part of a regular routine and you are pregnant, it is best not to begin.

- Children's bodies are not able to maintain a constant temperature. Safety guidelines include starting them on the lower benches where it's not too hot, taking it slowly and allowing them to leave when they wish.

- For an overall workout, exercise by walking, jogging, cycling or participating in other activities. Replace lost fluids before hitting the steambath or sauna.

- Start with once a week and work up to daily use - twice daily if your metabolism is low.

- Never use rubber suits to promote sweating since it is essential to maintain a healthy body temperature.

- Stay inside no longer than 30 minutes at a time - shorter if with chronic conditions

- Rest lying or sitting for 10 minutes after a session to allow time dead cells and other debris to be eliminated.

- Drink water before and after the sauna or steam bath to keep bowels moving regularly, since heat therapy will increase elimination.

- For those with allergies it may be better to stay away from saunas made with aromatic woods such as pine, cedar, spruce and redwood. Synthetic wood glues used in plywood as well as fiberglass and some stains may also aggravate an allergic condition.

Cleansing Detoxification - Fact or Fiction?

Healthy skepticism keeps us doubters away from scams. On the other hand we may miss out on some scientifically, and (as yet) unproven benefits that others have profited from.

The effects of saunas and steam baths on our health are very personal. At the least, they won't hurt, and the routine to relax and renew is not a bad way to spend our time and money.