Sauna Treatments

Sauna treatments originated in Finland, and many Finnish residents still embrace the sauna culture. It's important to begin your sauna treatment with a shower, and then remain in the sauna until you are perspiring thoroughly. Take a cool shower, or jump into a pool, and return to the sauna if desired. Engage in a final cool-down, according to Saunas.org.

Types

Traditional Finnish saunas use dry heat from stones heated by fire or electricity. Turkish or Russian steam baths are infused with hot water vapor. These sauna treatments are often called wet saunas. Infrared saunas are heated by infrared heaters that cause your body to heat at a lower temperature than Finnish saunas. This method provides a more comfortable sauna treatment, notes The-Infrared-Sauna-Effect.com.

Health Benefits

Two research-supported studies indicate that patients with certain medical conditions might benefit from sauna treatments. Dr. Justin Tobias of the Creighton University School of Medicine reports in a 2005 Psychosomatic Medicine study that followed 28 mildly depressed patients for four weeks that half of the patients received a daily sauna, while a control group instead received bed rest. The sauna group reported an improvement in relaxation, hunger and somatic scores over the control group.
Chronic pain patients also report benefits from sauna treatments. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics summarized a 2005 study of 46 chronic pain patients who received varied treatments, some of which included infrared sauna sessions. Post-treatment analysis revealed a more significant drop in sauna patients' scores relative to pain ratings and behaviors, anger and self-rated depression.

Effects

Sauna temperatures can reach 185 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat has several effects on the body, according to Harvard Health Publications. The effects include excessive sweating (up to a pint), rapidly rising skin temperature, and your pulse rate might surge 30 percent. The effect of a sauna on blood pressure depends largely on your condition.

Sources

You can find sauna treatments at many health clubs, resorts and day spas. You might also enjoy home sauna treatments with three types of sauna facilities. Stand-alone prefabricated wood saunas include a sauna heater and are ideal for outdoor use. Do-it-yourself indoor sauna kits feature sauna enclosure components, along with a sauna heater. Add framing, wiring and insulation to complete your indoor sauna. You can also purchase several types of infrared saunas.

Warning

Sauna treatments can present risks for users with some medical conditions. Dr. Harvey Simon of Harvard Men's Health Watch recommends that patients with poorly controlled blood pressure or heart conditions should not partake in sauna treatments. Sauna treatments might cause health problems for pregnant women. The American Pregnancy Association, along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommends that you do not overheat your body in a sauna while you are pregnant. The New Zealand Dermatological Society recommends that acne patients avoid warm, humid sauna conditions.