It can be difficult to find relief from the joint pain, swelling and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. While the cause of this autoimmune disease isn’t well understood, modern medicine has made advances in treatments. But even with these anti-rheumatic drugs, sufferers still often seek drug-free alternatives to help them relax and ease the pain they experience.
One of the best drug-free alternatives? A far-infrared sauna.
Far-infrared saunas emit infrared waves that evenly heat your body, inducing hyperthermia. This heat therapy relaxes your muscles and dilates your blood vessels, increasing your blood flow. The improved circulation helps your body’s natural healing processes, easing the stiffness and swelling that are so common with this condition.
The heat from a sauna also releases endorphins – those yummy “feel good” chemicals – that interact with receptors in your brain. When the endorphins kick in, you can count on a reduction in pain from your rheumatoid arthritis.
Why a far-infrared sauna and not a traditional sauna? Infrared and traditional Finnish sauna are excellent heat delivery vehicles. Both provide warmth to soothe tired muscles and aching joints, however, for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, we suggest the application of far-infrared heat energy to the body. Because far infrared heat energy comes in the form of easy to absorb light waves, it is recommended for sufferers of chronic bone, joint, muscle and tendon pain.
You don’t have to just take our word for it, either. There are several studies that back up this theory. A study in the Netherlands found that far-infrared sauna use helped patients with rheumatoid arthritis feel less fatigue, pain and stiffness. A Japanese study tracked several patients as they underwent far-infrared sauna therapy; all showed successful solutions.
When you have a sauna in your home, relief is only steps away, anytime of day or night. It’s a convenience factor that just can’t be beat. Far-infrared saunas from Finnleo and Pettis Pools are available in a variety of models to fit most any space and budget. If you’re ready to get relief from your RA symptoms, on your schedule and in a convenient way, stop by our showroom in Greece or Rochester today!