This week's question -
Do you think a sauna would help with my pain recovery?
My answer -
Absolutely! For those of you who don't know my husband and I will begin our house hunt next month, and well, we already have our sauna picked out. As healthcare professionals, we know the benefits and feel it is so important for our physical health we are making it a priority to be able to have one in our home.
Saunas, whether heat based or infrared improve circulation, which helps to improve healing, promote relaxation and decrease blood pressure. They can help preserve muscle mass and guard against inflammation as well.
Although it is not strictly a "physical therapy" type benefit, saunas can clear your pores and help to strengthen your skin as well.
However, it is important to note a few things if you are going to begin sauna use. If you have known difficulty regulating your temperature or known cardiovascular regulation issues (like POTS) you need to be very careful when using a sauna. Set a timer, rather than using your bodily cues to know when to get out.
Also, anyone using a sauna should be sure to drink plenty of water (even better if it contains electrolytes) both before and after use to decrease any effects of sweating.
Still, despite these warnings, saunas are a great and generally safe way to help improve your health! They are one of the few passive modalities that I recommend.