Chronic back pain is just one type of pain that can be classified as HRP. Upper and lower back pain is such a common condition that three out of four Americans experience it during their lifetimes. Most incidences of back pain, especially lower back pain, result from pulling and straining the muscles surrounding the spine. This straining can lead to muscles spasms, which, in turn, can lead to varying amounts of pain. Sitting in an infrared sauna not only decreases the intensity of pain signals sent to the brain, but stimulates oxygen flow and loosens muscles and connective tissue. The result is a quickened healing process, pain relief and better mobility.
Menstrual pain has long been soothed by electric heating pads and hot baths, together with herbal tea. These "folk" remedies use heat therapy to ease the discomfort of menstrual cramps, which can be so bad that doctors will prescribe medicine to manage the pain. Clinical psychologist Peter Vicente, Ph.D., says that heat therapy lessens pain by activating complex mechanisms in the body, and we are only now discovering the wide range of benefits that this type of therapy provides.
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by deep, persistent pain. It can range anywhere from mild muscle aches to debilitating, excruciating chronic pain that does not center in one place, but spreads like wildfire throughout the body. An infrared sauna in this case can not only be helpful---it can be life-saving. The causes of the condition are not well known, but some doctors believe it is poisoning from toxins and heavy metals like aluminum, mercury and lead. Sauna therapy can remove these toxins, stimulate the immune system and relieve the pain. Dr. Nenah Sylver discusses infrared saunas for use in treating fibromyalgia in her book "The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy." She states that infrared saunas in particular can be invaluable because of the lower temperatures, making the therapy much more endurable.- Arthritis pain is the start of a disease process that causes crippling of the extremities, swollen joints and limited range of motion. This chronic inflammation can spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs and, therefore, is known as a systematic disease. The pain that accompanies the disease is not necessarily due to the progression or severity of symptoms---it varies from person to person. In the online medical database PubMed, a study done by the Expertise Center Health in the Netherlands found that infrared sauna therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis not only immediately decreased stiffness and pain, but demonstrated significant possibility for long-term benefits.
- Infrared sauna
Infrared saunas can be ideal allies in the battle against Heat Responsive Pain, or HRP, offering a healing modality that is tolerated much better than traditional saunas. Infrared or sunlight saunas heat the body with infrared rays and, as such, can produce the same amount of healing, detoxification and pain-reducing effects at a much lower temperature range. In fact, infrared heat is tolerated so well it is used to warm newborn babies in hospital incubators. The chronic pain associated with back problems, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis can be significantly reduced or eliminated with infrared sauna therapy.
previous post
next post