Steam rooms have been used for centuries by various cultures. The Turks and Russians used steam baths for social gatherings, notes the author of the article "The Cultural Progression of the Spa." People today use steam room therapy to ease a variety of ailments, but steam rooms are no longer limited to spas and health clubs. You can now purchase or build one for your home as well.
Circulation and Respiration
Steam rooms enhance your blood circulation by expanding the width of the blood vessels to enable easier flow to the heart without raising your blood pressure. Steam rooms also improve your respiration by soothing your breathing passages to help relieve symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and sinus issues. The steam encourages your airways to open, reducing pain and discomfort from inflammation caused by congestion.
Arthritis
Steam helps to relieve stiffness in the joints, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The moist heat of a steam room penetrates the joints and reduces pain caused by inflammation. Reduced inflammation helps with range of motion and the general mobility that can be hindered when your joints are cold. Steam rooms also help to relax your muscles, relieving soreness from exercise and stress.
Detoxification
According to The Wolfe Clinic, steam rooms are a good way to cleanse and detoxify the skin. Steam purges the pores to release built-up oil and dirt for a glowing complexion. This detoxification also releases impurities from the liver and the kidneys. In addition, steam improves the function of the lymphatic system, which helps maintain a solid immune system. The immune system benefits from steam because it creates a temporary fever which encourages the body to produce bacteria-fighting white blood cells.
Warning
Pregnant women should avoid steam rooms entirely. It is not safe to the fetus for a mother's body temperature to reach more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam room therapy can negatively affect a pregnant woman's blood pressure, restricting blood flow to her baby. The risk of dehydration is also a danger to the unborn baby, advises The March of Dimes.
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