Saunas and Turkish baths - pain relief for RA sufferers

LisaKesterDodgson
LisaKesterDodgson Member Posts: 38
edited 10. Oct 2013, 03:51 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have had RA for 13 years and have been going on and off to the gym ever since a was in my teens (46 now). Today i had my first sauna, followed by a turkish bath and then when i got home i wondered if I'd done the right thing. I read up on the internet that saunas are more suitable than turkish baths because the humidity in turkish baths cAn make the inflammation worse. Is that true? If it is ok to have a sauna, cAn i have one everytime i go to the gym - 3 times a week?

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I cannot stand that degree of heat and humidity - when summer was lurking and the days were hot and steamy I felt intensely miserable with my PsA pain. We all know that different people respond in different ways to the same thing - I wouldn't have both in one day, try an either-or and see how it affects you. Any relief will be temporary (because it always is) but any further inflammation it triggers may be longer-lasting (just because it can). DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi again LisaKesterDodgson

    I read that:

    Today, more and more people are opting for a sauna in their home or hospitality business, because it offers a relaxing and soothing experience, with several healing properties. Studies have shown that regular saunas can:
    •reduce stress
    •alleviate chronic pain
    •offer relief for respiratory issues
    •reduce incidence of colds
    •improve psoriasis
    •lower blood pressure
    •treat fibromyalgia
    •improve circulation
    •treat mild depression
    •improve effects of rheumatoid arthritis
    •treat hypertension

    Enjoy your saunas. :-D I love having saunas when in Finland but I have never had a Turkish bath so cannot comment.

    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • LisaKesterDodgson
    LisaKesterDodgson Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for your replies. I had another sauna this morning and could feel the heat penetrating every muscle! It was lovely - just hope it stays that way 8)
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lisa,Glad your enjoying your saunas and turkishbaths ,I have R/A new knee and osteo ,Love the saunas ans steam room st my gym to ,just renewed my yearly membership ,but scalded my arm and cant go back yet and I definately feel worse ,I love the sauna in winter those cold mornings I have a quick shower .........brrrr really cold in our gym then head for the sauna before swimming its heaven .Marrianne.x
  • LisaKesterDodgson
    LisaKesterDodgson Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marrianne,
    Sorry about your arm - hope you'll be able to get back to the gym soon!
    I spoke to my doctor about saunas and he agreed that can definitely help but advised against Turkish baths as they can make any inflammation you might have worse due to the damp.
    Take care,
    Lisa

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