Hyperthermic Therapy
Sauna

A sauna is a bath that uses dry heat to induce perspiration. Unlike a steam bath, a sauna uses very high temperatures to relax muscles and causes profuse sweating to clean pores and foster respiratory wellness. In a sauna, you do not see steam.

Heat helps improve blood circulation and speeds up the body's natural healing processes. It also contributes to a deep cleansing of the skin, relieving of stress, and a general feeling of rejuvenation. Best of all, it's a therapy that can be administered while reclining so that the neck and back are completely at rest.

Sauna therapy helps to provide instant relief from a stressful day's activities. It relaxes muscles and helps ease tension. As part of an overall wellness program it helps promote physical fitness by increasing the heart rate and cardiac output while helping to lower blood pressure.

Intense sweating achieved in the sauna carries off deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and extremely clean. Increasing the blood circulation draws the skin's natural nutrients to the surface, which brings improved tone, elasticity, texture, and color.

The deep heat of the sauna helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries.

 Temperatures can range from 140°F to 190°F.
 and pose a danger for certain individuals.

 Always consult with your doctor before starting sauna treatment.

• The air can be relatively dry, or water can be sprinkled over the stones to increase humidity. The air must never be completely dry, however, since it could be harmful to the respiratory system.
  
  
• Sauna therapy should not be used if there is a history of adrenal suppression (body does not respond to heat), SLE (systemic lupus erythematous), or multiple sclerosis.
  
  
• Extreme sauna heat is dangerous for infants, young children, and the elderly. Do not let children play in or near a sauna without adult supervision.
  
  
• Other: If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart disease, or other medical condition, please consult with your physician before beginning any hot water therapy program.
  
  

In Europe, heat therapy is widely used to treat patients suffering form many forms of arthritis. Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, promoting greater flexibility and range of motion. The increased supply of oxygen-rich blood helps muscle tissue heal faster. Much of the stiffness, aches and soreness that come with aging is reduced or eliminated.

Some proponents hold that deep stored toxins can be removed from the body by a combination of supplemental anti-oxidants, daily exercise and sauna treatments. They believe that exercise and anti-oxidants help stimulate the circulation and mobilize the stored chemicals so that the toxins can be expelled through the skin.

Many claim that the sauna, exercise and megavitamin program is the only effective method of detoxification of stored pesticides and even mercury. Scientific studies on the validity of these techniques are inconclusive, so additional studies are under way to measure the truth of these claims.

The sauna is a place for relieving stress and tension - unhurriedly. It can be a place for social interaction or a place for solitude and meditation. Perhaps the most immediate relief the sauna offers is simple relaxation as it melts away the stresses and tension of 'modern' life. Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of the sauna gives an overall massaging effect, soothing nerves and muscles. It rejuvenates both body and mind.

How to Use a Sauna
The proper procedure for sauna therapy is to undergo treatment in the hot room in two or three successive sessions of several minutes each.

Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before the sauna.

At first the air should be dry but humidity levels may be increased by pouring a small amount water onto the stones in the heater, or splashing some water on the walls. Relative humidity levels should range between 10% and 30% depending upon preference.

Check with the manufacture about adding water over the rocks. Some sauna heaters are not designed for water. There is the possibility of electrical shock
with some units!

Take a shower or a dip in the pool before entering the sauna. This will moisten the skin and remove any possible body or fragrance odors that do not belong to the sauna atmosphere.

After a few minutes inside (usually no more than 15 minutes), when you feel hot, leave the sauna and cool off by taking a warm shower.

Do not make a fast transition from hot to cold surroundings.

During the second round in the hot room, the air should be more humid than on the first round. Again, when it feels right, cool off again. The hot-cold cycle should be repeated as often as time and comfort dictate. For most people, two rounds is satisfactory.

The final round can be brief, just long enough to warm up and soften the skin.

A good way to cool down and relax would be a gentle hydro massage in a cool whirlpool. Massage is the ideal way to relax.

Don't get dressed until the body is completely cooled (no longer sweating). Note: The body will be more sensitive than normal to cooler temperatures after sauna therapy.

Afterwards, light snacks and refreshing drinks are highly recommended.

A reasonably healthy individual can bathe in a sauna as often as he chooses without worrying about health effects.

For frequent bathing, a moisturizing lotion should be used to avoid a dry skin. DrinkingAdding further helps to enhance the healing process.

Finally, the gentle heat also accelerates metabolism and stimulates the body to burn calories. In a single sauna session it's possible to burn as many calories as rowing or jogging for 30 minutes. In addition, European beauticians have traditionally used saunas to help eliminate cellulite.

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