Many rheumatic patients who have suffered from joint stiffness and muscle pain for years use saunas to relax at home, but they can be very confused when deciding between a dry sauna and a steam sauna, and even suffer from discomfort if they make a poor choice. Today, we will explain the differences between dry and steam saunas in three areas: body feel, symptom accommodation, and safety. We will explain the core differences between dry saunas and steam saunas.
1.Core Experience Differences Between Dry Sauna and Steam Sauna
The core differences between dry saunas, and steam saunas is the temperature distribution and the moisture in the air around you. The average temperature of a traditional dry sauna is between 20 degrees Celsius and 65 degrees Celsius, and an average of less than 20% in humidity. The air in dry saunas is dry and non-sticky, the heat will enclose your entire body using thermal radiation and thermal conduction. The average temperature of a traditional steam room is 40-90 degrees Celsius, and an average of almost 100% humidity. Once in a steam room you will immediately be surrounded by a blanket of hot, moist air. For most individuals, these two different experiences provide two different areas of preference, however, for patients with rheumatic conditions the differences in temperature and humidity directly correlate with the level of comfort provided to the joints, and the physical strain created on the body.
2. Core Reasons Why Dry Saunas Are More Beneficial For Rheumatism Patients
To begin, because of the lower humidity levels, a dry sauna allows for only a small amount of heat loss from the surface of the skin through evaporation. Most patients with rheumatism are highly sensitive to changes in temperature. After leaving a high humidity sauna, the body cools quickly as opposed to the gradual cooling process that occurs when leaving a dry sauna. The moisture will cool off much faster than air will; therefore, it is more likely that a patient will become cold and stiff after exiting the sauna. A dry sauna also enables faster evaporative cooling which means less moisture is transferred back to the joints and therefore the likelihood of developing cold and stiff joints is reduced. In addition, the deeper penetration of the heat from dry sauna enables the relaxation of both deep musculature and stiff joints. Patients generally report a decrease in the amount of time they experience joint stiffness in the morning when they regularly use dry sauna. Finally, the sweating process of a dry sauna is controllable; there is no excessive restriction of airflow to the lungs as would occur in a high humidity sauna. Dry saunas can be used by patients who have underlying cardiopulmonary conditions because they are less likely to irritate the respiratory tract compared to high humidity saunas.
3. Recommended Safety Procedures for Rheumatism Patients Using Saunas
Although dry saunas have become more popular for rheumatism patients; there are some precautions that should be followed before using a dry sauna by any rheumatism patient. The most important precaution is that patients with acute inflammation of the joints should avoid any type of sauna due to the added irritation caused by the introduction of hot air into their body. Patients suffering from severe hypertension, heart disease, or uncontrolled hypoglycemia must consult their physician before using a sauna and are not recommended to use a dry sauna until approved. New patients using a dry sauna for the first time should use only five to ten minutes in duration; drink a small glass of warm water at some point during their first session, and do not use longer than necessary. Patients should dry off completely with a towel after each session, place on a long sleeve garment, rest for 30 minutes, and not expose themselves to cold air after the sauna session. Patients should consult their rheumatology and immunology physician to schedule routine follow-up appointments and adhere to the long-term management plan of the disease.
