Fibromyalgia is one of the most complex conditions that is poorly understood by science and medicine. For patients suffering from pain, fatigue, stiffness, headaches, and emotional problems induced by the condition, the search for relief is never-ending. Fortunately, while there is still no consensus on what causes fibromyalgia, emerging research points to heat therapy, or more specifically, infrared saunas, as beneficial in counteracting the effects of the condition. Explore the mechanisms behind this, with our team at Sun Stream Saunas NZ in this article!
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Even in our most recent decade, fibromyalgia was largely considered a psycho-somatic health condition – however, as the industry has continued to explore further, it has been contemporarily classified as a chronic pain condition. It often affects muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the body – presenting alongside other conditions such as sleep disorders, lower pain threshold, poor cognitive performance, and poor mental health.
While the exact cause of the illness is unknown, underlying inflammation, hormonal changes, and dysfunction in the immune system have been found to aggravate the symptoms. It’s also been noted that women suffer from fibromyalgia twice as much as men.
Currently, there is no single medication or treatment for the disease – doctors often prescribe a combination of each. What makes treatment for the condition more complicated, however, is that symptoms and responding treatments are very much individualised. There is no universal treatment as of yet.
Fortunately, emerging research on the effects of heat therapy on fibromyalgia symptoms are positioning infrared saunas as a viable complementary treatment.
Research on the Relationship of Infrared Saunas and Fibromyalgia
One of the most prominent benefits of infrared saunas is pain relief. This effect also greatly benefits fibromyalgia patients, as demonstrated in a 2008 study. Exposed to far-infrared exposure only, around half of the study’s participating patients shared that they experienced their chronic pain lowered by a significant proportion after just one session. They also scored better across other symptoms such as sleep disturbance, fatigue, and psychological well-being. Over time, these results were maintained with continuous infrared sauna use.
A more recent but broader study regarding the effects of infrared saunas on musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain published in 2022 presented the same results. Participants also experienced a significant decrease in pain levels. Those with the condition had a decrease in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FiQ) scores.
Let’s take a closer look at the effects of infrared saunas on fibromyalgia symptoms below:
Countering Pain and Inflammation
Fibromyalgia is closely intertwined with pain and inflammation. Fortunately, these are two areas in which infrared saunas provide excellent benefits.
Infrared saunas promote better circulation through the dilation of blood vessels. Through this, a reduction of blockages responsible for inflammation is facilitated. Optimal blood flow also allows better distribution of crucial oxygen and nutrients to muscles and tissue, which promotes healing. When inflammation is reduced, so is pain.
This reduction in pain greatly affects another symptom of fibromyalgia: sleep deprivation. When patients feel more at ease, they are more likely to enjoy more hours of rest. This, as we all know, is a crucial factor in healing and rejuvenation.
Reduced Stress, Depression, and Anxiety
Higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety aren’t only symptoms of the condition, but also aggravations. The good news is infrared saunas can also help mitigate this.
Typically, when the body is under duress, your fight-or-flight mode is activated. However, under the soothing heat of infrared saunas, the body is prompted to relax and shift to its rest and digest mode. When you physically relax, your mind also follows suit.
Additionally, infrared saunas challenge your body, producing results similar to if you were performing a moderate exercise like walking. This process stimulates the release of your body’s natural opioids called “endorphins” or the body’s feel-good hormones.
Key Takeaways
The current research on the effects of infrared saunas on fibromyalgia is limited, however, what’s there is already showing a promising future for this treatment. However, take note, infrared sauna isn’t a total cure but only a complementary treatment. It’s also important to note that while pain and inflammation relief are the target of most studies in this regard, infrared saunas can also provide other benefits to fibromyalgia patients such as enhanced sleep and muscle recovery. But again, more research is needed to confirm this.
Overall, if more positive studies emerge, infrared saunas can serve as a viable source of relief for many people who suffer from fibromyalgia.
For more information about the benefits of infrared saunas, feel free to explore our SunStream blog. We also offer a wide range of infrared sauna units designed for home use. Contact us for more questions or inquiries.