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Infrared Sauna for Arthritis: How This Healing Therapy Can Help Your Joints

The most common cause of disability among American adults, arthritis is a painful and degenerative disease that affects millions of people. Traditional treatments like medication and physical therapy can help relieve the symptoms, but they often come with side effects.

A less conventional treatment option that is growing in popularity is infrared therapy. In this blog post, we will discuss sauna therapy deeper and how it can help relieve arthritis pain and improve joint function.

What Is An Infrared Sauna And How Does It Work?

An infrared sauna infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses infrared light to heat up your body. The infrared energy penetrates your skin and heats your muscles, tissues, and internal organs from the inside out to relieve acute and chronic ails. The intense sweating also causes your body to release sweat and, consequently, toxins as well.

6 Ways Infrared Sauna Therapy Helps Alleviate Arthritis

It is no secret that infrared saunas use infrared energy to heat up your body safely and come with a number of health benefits, including arthritis symptoms relief. Here are ways heat can help ease rheumatoid arthritis:

Infrared Saunas Work To Relieve Chronic Pain And Inflammation Caused By Arthritis

Chronic pain is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis, and infrared sauna therapy decreases pain by heating muscles and sore joints.

The infrared light penetrates tissues and gently elevates core temperature and organs. This causes your body to sweat out toxins and waste products from your joints.

The infrared rays also help improve blood circulation, which can help reduce pain for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Infrared Sauna Therapy Helps Improve Joint Function By Loosening Up Stiff Joints And Muscles

The infrared light technology is built with heat therapy that causes your blood vessels to expand, which increases blood flow and brings more nutrients and oxygen to your joints.

Safe infrared rays also help increase flexibility by loosening up the connective tissues around your joints. This can help improve movement and reduce pain.

The Sweating Caused By The Infrared Rays Helps Remove Toxins From The Body, Which Reduces Inflammation.

The incredible body has an inbuilt detoxification system, but through illness and given the modern-day toxic world, it can be overwhelmed. Good thing infrared saunas work to detoxify the human body and strengthen the immune system.

When you sweat in an infrared treatment, you’re releasing toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, and other pollutants from your body. This detoxification process can help alleviate arthritis symptoms by reducing inflammation.

Infrared Saunas Help Increase The Collagen Production

If you have joint inflammation, the consequences are less severe. Over time, with more collagen in place as a cushion of sorts, injury to your joints is reduced.

Here’s how your body goes about recovering: cells proliferate faster in your bone marrow with greater amounts of collagen synthesis. This activity in your bone marrow helps repair any inflammation-induced damage. You begin to heal with less inflammation and more collagen. Damaged ligaments, tendons, and bones start to mend.

Infrared Saunas Are A Great Way To Relax And De-Stress.

When you’re stressed, it can aggravate the symptoms of an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis.

Unlike a traditional or old school sauna which can be harsh and uncomfortable, infrared provides gentle, soothing heat. The gentle heat of an infrared sauna can help you relax and de-stress, which may help improve your condition.

How does this happen? Your cellular membrane is opened by the deeply penetrating infrared radiation. This relaxes your body. When your body is calm, the energy returns to your body to nourish and heal it.

Infrared Saunas Can Increase Your Overall Sense Of Well-Being.

Infrared heat works to provide a sense of relaxation and peace that is unmatched by other therapies. When you feel good mentally and emotionally, it often translates into better physical health as well. This helps patients suffering from pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Moreover, infrared sauna therapy is a great way to improve your overall health and wellbeing. It can help with fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Studies Proving That Infrared Saunas Work To Treat Arthritis Pain

There are many studies that support the use of an infrared sauna in patients with arthritis.

One study published in the journal, Rheumatology International, found that infrared sauna therapy was a suitable adjunctive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients. The study showed that stiffness significantly decreased following infrared sauna sessions.

Another study, published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, found that infrared heat therapy was an effective treatment for aiding muscle recovery and reducing inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

In addition to its reported effectiveness in treating joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, several studies have also shown that NIR (Near-Infrared) light therapy may be used as an adjunctive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Other Benefits Of Infrared Sauna Treatment For Joint Pain Relief

Yes! Aside from chronic pain relief, the infrared, especially far-infrared light technology, has been shown to have such profound potential benefits, including:

• Stimulating blood flow for improved circulation
• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Improving skin health
• Boosting the body’s immune system
• Preventing heart disease
• Improving sleep quality
• Helping people with chronic fatigue
• Aiding in weight loss

Who Should Use An Infrared Sauna For Arthritis Therapy?

Anyone who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can benefit from infrared sauna therapy.

However, soothing heat is especially beneficial for people who want to manage rheumatoid arthritis and its symptoms like pain and stiffness.

If you’re considering using a far infrared sauna to treat your arthritis, aching joints, and muscle discomfort, be sure to consult with your doctor first. Your doctor will be able to help you determine if infrared sauna therapy is right for you and can give you advice on how often you should use the sauna.

Frequency And Duration Of Infrared Sauna Use For Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

How often and how long sauna sessions should depend on your preference and your physician’s recommendations. But generally, here’s what most people follow:

Frequency

Rheumatoid arthritis patients should use infrared saunas two to three times a week for best results.

However, you may need to start out with less frequent treatments and work up to more sessions as your body becomes used to the therapeutic warmth.

Duration

When having an infrared sauna treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and aching muscles, start with shorter sessions (15-20 minutes) and work your way up to longer ones as your body gets used to it.

If you’re new to saunas, be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your session to stay hydrated.

Which Infrared Light Type Is The Most Effective In Treating Arthritis?

Near-infrared light (NIR) is the most beneficial type of infrared light for treating arthritis. This wavelength penetrates deepest into the body, providing the greatest therapeutic benefits and improving cellular health.

So if you’re looking to buy an infrared sauna to help ease your joint pain, be sure to choose one with a NIR light panel.

Infrared Sauna Treatment Vs. Traditional Medications

Infrared saunas are a safe and effective way to treat rheumatoid arthritis without adverse effects.

Unlike traditional medications which can cause weight gain, osteoporosis and fractures, cardiovascular disease, and even scalp hair loss, infrared saunas have no known harmful side effects if used properly.

They are a safe and natural way to treat rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing, aiding in muscle recovery.

If you’re looking for an alternative treatment option for your arthritis, infrared therapy may be the right choice for you!

Minimal Side Effects Of Using An Infrared Sauna

There are very few side effects associated with infrared therapy.

Some people may experience a slight headache or nausea after having an infrared session, but these symptoms usually go away within a few minutes.

You may also run the risk of getting too hot or dehydrating yourself without the proper use and preparations.

If you’re considering using infrared saunas to treat your arthritis, be sure to speak with your doctor first.

They can help you decide if infrared therapy is right for you and can provide guidance on how to use it safely.

How To Use An Infrared Sauna For Arthritis Pain Relief

If you’re interested in using infrared saunas to help relieve your arthritis pain, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol and caffeine before your sauna session.

Wear light clothing so that you can sweat more easily.

Take breaks if needed and always listen to your body. If you feel too hot or uncomfortable, get out of the sauna.

Not everyone needs the same amount of time in a sauna to reap the benefits. You may need to experiment a bit to see what works best for you.

You can also add some heat packs or ice packs around your joints before or after your session if you need extra relief.

Who Cannot Use Infrared Sauna Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment?

Although infrared saunas are a safe and effective way to treat rheumatoid arthritis, there are a few people who should avoid them.

Pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding should not use a sauna. People with cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and skin conditions like eczema should also avoid infrared saunas.

If you have any other health concerns, be sure to speak with your doctor before using infrared saunas.

Infrared Saunas For Arthritis

 

Conclusion

Infrared saunas are growing in popularity as a treatment option for arthritis. You might want to give this treatment a shot if you’re suffering from arthritis pain or swollen joints that aren’t responding well to traditional treatments like medication and physical therapy!

Infrared saunas offer a host of benefits for people with arthritis, including pain relief, improved joint function, and reduced inflammation. You may be surprised at how good you feel after just one session!

But remember to talk to your doctor first. They can help you decide if infrared therapy is right for you and give instructions on how to use it properly.

 

Get relief from arthritis, check out portable infrared sauna kits from Sauna Area. See you!

 

Resources

  • pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18685882/
  • forbes.com/sites/jamiegold/2020/02/28/mayo-clinic-doctor-suggests-four-wellness-design-focused-home-improvement-ideas-for-arthritis-sufferers/?sh=461a40f92e0d
  • bastyr.edu/research/studies/sauna-detoxification-study
Cathryn McMillan

As a health and lifestyle enthusiast, Cathryn have always found the sauna and its healing effects fascinating. This life-changing technology transform her from a casual researcher into a passionate fan. A relaxing session at her at-home sauna unit has become a no-skip routine for her.