Steam rooms are enclosed rooms that have moist heat from a water-filled generator pumped into them, providing a humidity level of 100 percent. Traditional steam rooms used in bath houses create heat by heating rocks in a big brick oven and pouring water over the hot rocks to create steam. According the University of New Hampshire, steam rooms are used in hydrotherapy, which is based on the concept that water has the ability to revitalize health and alter blood flow in the body. Steam rooms are frequently found in athletic clubs, spas, physical therapy centers and hospitals to provide health, pain relief and relaxation benefits.
Blood Circulation
Steam rooms promote blood circulation and increase the detoxifying and cleansing of the skin through sweat glands, according to Oxygen Healing Therapies. The hot steam in the steam room stimulates the cardiovascular system, increasing your pulse rate and enhancing blood circulation throughout your body. The heat also causes the dilation of capillary vessels, enabling nutrients to be carried to the skin.
Relaxation & Improving Sleep
Steam rooms may be beneficial in helping people with insomnia, especially when a 30-minute steam is taken two hours before bedtime. Steam rooms elevate core body temperature, which may positively affect circadian rhythms, helping people to sleep more soundly. The heat and steam provides a soothing environment which eases tension, allowing your body to relax.
Relieves Muscle Tension & Pain
The hot steam from a steam room increases blood flow to muscles to relax them and ease stiffness. Steam rooms help relieve water retention in the body and release impurities through the skin from sweating, according to the University of New Hampshire. Steam rooms are used frequently to help relax muscles after working out, and are useful in helping relieve pain in people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Precautions
Prolonged exposure at high temperatures in a steam room may cause dehydration, faintness and overheating, which can be fatal. Limiting time to 30 minutes or less is safe for most people, but pregnant women, young children and those with cardiac problems, low blood pressure or diabetes should not use steam rooms without talking to their physician first. It is important to stay hydrated while using a steam room; if you feel yourself getting overheated or faint, leave the steam room immediately.
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