If you suffer from painful, ongoing symptoms. as a new sauna owner, you may be wondering about the benefits of sauna therapy for arthritis. You might have questions about which type of arthritis you are dealing with and how sauna use can help. Your sauna will cause you to have less inflammation. Your body will make more collagen and reduce stress levels. These benefits will give you relief from aches and pains as you relax. Here are 3 benefits of sauna therapy for arthritis. 

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Simply put, arthritis is a joint disease or joint pain. There are over 100 types of arthritis existing. Both men and women of all ages can get arthritis. It is the number one cause of disability in the United States. Over 50 million adults and 300,000 children currently suffer from this disease. Women and elderly people are the most commonly affected. 

Some common symptoms are pain, swelling, stiffness, and painful movement. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. They either get better or worse over time. Chronic pain is a side effect. Difficulty climbing stairs and completing daily routines are side effects as well. 

Permanent joint damage, such as knobby finger joints, can happen. Heart, lung, skin, and kidney damage is possible as well. Arthritis can wreak havoc on the body in many ways. Here are a few different types of arthritis and some information on each of them:

DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS 

• Also known as osteoarthritis 
• Most seen type of arthritis
• Happens when the cartilage is thin or gone
• Bone against bone causes swelling and pain
• Joints get weak, chronic illness follows
• Risk factors: family history, an old injury, overweight 

INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS 

• Examples: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout 
• Happens when immune system isn’t functioning properly 
• Causes joint inflammation and erosion
• Can damage internal organs and eyes
• Genetics & environment trigger autoimmunity (ex.: smoking)

INFECTIOUS ARTHRITIS 

• Happens when fungus causes inflammation
• Examples: salmonella, shigella, chlamydia, Hepatitis C 
• Can happen from food poisoning, sexual transmission, or blood-to-blood infection
• Can heal with antibiotics if caught in time but may become chronic

METABOLIC ARTHRITIS 

• Your body breaks down purines to form uric acid. Some people naturally create more than they need or cannot get rid of it fast enough. 
• Sometimes, too much uric acid can create painful crystals in the joint areas.
• This causes sudden joint pain or gout attacks. 
• If uric acid levels are not lowered, arthritis becomes chronic. 
• Can cause disability, limited mobility, and ongoing painful spells

ARE INFRARED SAUNAS GOOD FOR ARTHRITIS?

Swelling and sore joints are common with arthritis. Healthcare gives medicines to help with pain. Patients often need other methods as well. Here’s why you should use infrared sauna treatment for arthritis:

1. Your infrared sauna produces infrared heat waves.
2. These waves work to directly heat your body. 
3. The heat therapy then makes your muscles relax. Aching joints are soothed as well.
4. Your blood vessels dilate. This makes your blood flow increase.
5. Your circulation improves. This makes healing easier for your body.
6. Swelling and inflammation reduce.

As you relax, your body produces ‘endorphins.’ These special chemicals make your body feel good. This also helps with arthritis pain. Studies show that arthritis patients are less tired and sore after infrared sauna use. For example, the Maxxus Low EMF Far Infrared Sauna with Canadian Hemlock is a great sauna. It is well equipped to soothe painful arthritis symptoms.

INFRARED SAUNA TREATMENT FOR ARTHRITIS

Infrared light has a great effect on the body. Infrared sauna therapy gets rid of swelling. It also helps with blood flow. With no inflammation, arthritis disappears.

Successful treatment of arthritis happens when inflammation and stress levels are reduced. Here are 3 benefits of infrared sauna treatment for arthritis: 

1. REDUCED INFLAMMATION

Synovial fluid is in the joint cell membrane. When it does not move the right way, arthritis patients suffer from inflammation. With no oxygen flow, inflamed areas hurt. The swelling makes tendons and ligaments stretch and makes joints deform. 

Infrared sauna therapy works well. Within minutes of stepping inside, you will have more oxygen in your blood flow. This makes your blood circulate quicker, and as a result, inflammation reduces. 

A study by the US National Library of Medicine in 2009 proved several facts. Infrared sauna use works for pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Patients also felt more comfortable while using the sauna and after. This proves that with a regular routine, infrared sauna treatment for arthritis works.

We cannot see infrared heat waves because they are on the invisible spectrum of light, but they are known for deep skin penetration. Here’s how it works:

1. Infrared rays deeply penetrate the skin, making your core temperature increase.
2. As a result, your circulation increases.
3. This forces inflammation away from your joints with a rush of hemoglobin. 
4. When aching, pained areas are relieved, your body naturally allows the light to flood its network and benefit your cell activity as well.
5. Your mitochondria, or your cells’ powerhouse, work to increase ATP production.
6. As a result, inflammation decreases in your whole body.

2. INCREASED COLLAGEN PRODUCTION 

When surrounded by near-infrared light waves, your body starts to create more collagen. It gives your skin and bones a “stretchy” feel. Collagen also helps your bone marrow. With faster healing of bone marrow, damage done by arthritis reduces. 

With swollen joints, tendons and ligaments stretch and get weaker. This makes bones deform in the surrounding areas. You will see this often in the late stages of arthritis. 

By using your sauna and making more collagen, you also make more joint tonus. If you happen to experience inflammation in your joints, the effects are less severe. Less damage is done to your joints over time with more collagen in place as a cushion of sorts. Here’s how your body begins to heal:

• With higher levels of collagen production, cells regenerate in your bone marrow faster.
• As a result, any damage was done from long periods of inflammation heals. 
• With less inflammation and more collagen, you begin to heal. Damaged ligaments, tendons, and bones start to improve.

3. STRESS RELIEF 

Scientists still do not know the cause of arthritis. They do know that stress is one of the main causes. High stress levels also tend to make arthritis spells more frequent. Stress relief is another one of the many infrared sauna therapy benefits.

Many doctors believe that if arthritis patients stay relaxed, arthritis will not come back. If your body stays in a state of stress, you will deal with other diseases. The common cold is more frequent, for example. Here’s how moments of bliss within your sauna help relieve stress:

1. The deeply penetrating infrared rays open up your cellular membrane. This makes your body relax.
2. When your body is calm, the energy goes back into your body to provide nourishment and much-needed healing. 
3. Slowly, your body exits a high-stress state and slips into tranquility. This promotes natural healing.

SUMMARY

With infrared sauna therapy, your sore tendons and ligaments will feel much better. Your sauna’s infrared waves will increase your blood flow. They will rid you of swelling as you relax.

As you slip into deep bliss, your body will produce more collagen. Your joints and bone marrow will heal quicker as you engage in soothing moments of heat therapy. Your stress levels will also lower. Pure internal peace from your new therapeutic investment will calm you. Enjoy these healing benefits as you choose the perfect infrared sauna for your needs.