I was just wondering if anyone has had good experiences with regular saunas (as opposed to FIR ones).
I only have access to a redwood one.
Is this still beneficial?
How long should I go in for?
Thanks!
Posts: 390 | From Oakland, CA | Registered: May 2007
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Hi Ellie,
I love regular saunas when I can use one. They help promote circulation, so it helps abx get distributed everywhere. Sweating helps with detox. They help relax my muscles, and I feel great afterwards!
The gym I use has a sauna at about 170 degrees; so I only stay in for as long as I can, anywhere from 10-25 minutes. It is a regular old infrared sauna. Do not stay in longer than you can -- and hydrate before and afterwards! Many folks say to take minerals to replenish what you have sweated out.
Since far infrared is only one end of the infrared electromagnetic spectrum, I assume we are getting some of the benefits from the Far Infrared Sauna's too -- that is, infrared saunas have wavelengths of far infrared in them (along with mid-range wavelengths).
From a NASA website for kids explaining the electromagnetic spectrum (helps me to understand!):
"Infrared light lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible light has wavelengths that range from red light to violet.
"Near infrared" light is closest in wavelength to visible light and "far infrared" is closer to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The longer, far infrared wavelengths are about the size of a pin head and the shorter, near infrared ones are the size of cells, or are microscopic.
Far infrared waves are thermal. In other words, we experience this type of infrared radiation every day in the form of heat! The heat that we feel from sunlight, a fire, a radiator or a warm sidewalk is infrared.
The temperature-sensitive nerve endings in our skin can detect the difference between inside body temperature and outside skin temperature
Shorter, near infrared waves are not hot at all - in fact you cannot even feel them. These shorter wavelengths are the ones used by your TV's remote control."
Enjoy!
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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clairenotes
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posted
I am starting to be of the opinion that ANY sauna use is desirable for those of us with lyme. It is wonderful that you have access to one. As with many things we do, just listen to your body to make sure you don't overdue things. Yes... lots of water before and after with some added minerals.
Personal opinion only...
Claire
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Yes, there are benefits to both. It's just that when we went to the local gym to use the sauna, it was 180-200 degrees in there and we were ready to pass out.
But, it still helped.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
I bought a regular steam sauna from e-bay, $250 retail, my total cost including shipping $80. Excellent little sauna, free-standing and well made.
It's been wonderfully helpful in with detox and, for the hubby, with reducing muscle and joint pain. I don't know why the FIR is considered to be so superior, especially considering the cost (although one Lymie friend has built their own FIR sauna at very low cost).
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
posted
Wow, thanks everyone for the info. I'm glad to hear that a non-FIR sauna is still beneficial.
I must admit I learned the value of moderation today, though.
I go to a spa nearby that rents single-use redwood saunas for $10/hour. They have it heated to 200 degrees!
I didn't make it the full hour. In fact, I think I blacked out for a few minutes. Had to crawl out of there and lie in the shower under cold water barfing. Very humiating.
If I can work up the courage to show my face there again, I'll definitely make sure to ask if the heat can be adjusted (and probably do have that amount of time.)
Also wondering: What kind of minerals do you take to replenish? Is Gatorade ok?
Posts: 390 | From Oakland, CA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Aargh, sorry for typo's...
Posts: 390 | From Oakland, CA | Registered: May 2007
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
whoa, when I started doing the sauna I could only do 10 minutes at 110 degrees!
Be very gentle when you detox like this. Start out slow, for short periods, and work up gradually. You really, really don't want a major toxin dump.
There are all kinds of toxins to think about -- toxins from the die off of LD and co, response from the increased circulation of abx (because of dilation of blood vessels), redistribution of whatever toxins diet etc. has helped you to accumulate.
I've done, sort of progressively, gut/candida detox, neurotoxin detox, heavy metals detox, along with the sauna. I think this has really helped.
As far as Gatoraide -- REALLY not my first choice. Lots of sugar and additives.
Don't really know what to recommend for electrolytes, although you can probably find some suggestions by searching on Lymenet. Nutramedix puts out a sugar/additive-free "Trace Minerals" product; I've used and liked Emergen-C, and Electrolyte Stamina seems to be a good product too.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
I think regular saunas are WONDERFUL!!!!
But be careful- there is ONE Lyme person who died in a "hot box" constructed especially for Lyme. Died IN the box of a heart attack because it was too hot for her heart. So don't do it too hot!!!!!!!!! Will kill Bb but will also kill you!!!
My wonderful old LLMD would do tax write-offs for people for saunas and hot tubs because he considered them so beneficial!!! I think they are, too. I WISH I had one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enviously,
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I love saunas no matter what kind. At my gym is a steam sauna and a dry heat sauna. I have used them both. I also like a good hot epsom salt and baking soda bath.
Sweating not only helps get rid of toxins, but it helps you loose weight! Something I don't mind. Some with Lyme are under weight. Others (like me) deal with putting on weight.
I recently purchased a BioMat. It is a far-infrared heat mattress with negative ions. I like it because I can lie down comfortably on it, it can just stay on my spare bedroom bed, and there is no "dome" to deal with (as with other portable saunas). I can just lay on it with a sheet covering, or I can really cover up with towels under and above to absorb sweat and take a "sauna".
I think the biggest thing to remember is to go slow when first starting out. And, don't get discouraged and say that you can't take saunas just because you can only handle a few minutes. If a few minutes is all you can do now, then fine. Just do that much. I think some is better than none and over time, you will be able to do more. At least that was my experience.
I don't use electrolytes with sugar in them (Gatorade). I have been using Selectrolytes and I like that product alot. I use it all the time in my water. It has magnesium in it too, which is something us Lymies need every day.
Happy sweating!
Robin
Posts: 276 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
I was interested to read about the bio mat. Has anyone tried one of those sauna "bags"-looks like a sleeping bag?
Posts: 368 | From freehold, nj | Registered: May 2007
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Lyme survives extreme low or high temperatures way higher than a sauna can produce. A sauna will kill us first before it gets to the bugs.
Peer reviewed literature shows that sweatting during sauna therapy eliminates high levels of toxic metals, organic compounds, dioxin, and other toxins.
Sauna therapy is ideal to mobilize toxins from its hiding places. However, during a sauna, toxix metals can also be displaced from one body compartment into another. This means that mercury can be shifted from the connective tissue into the brain. This can be prevented by taking chlorella, cilantro and garlic (prior) The addition of ozone, which we do not have, can be used to deliver an effective anit-microorganism hit while in the sauna.
Sharing a sauna with another toxic person is not ideal, or even using one that was not thoroughly aired out after another person has used it. The metal vapors are hanging around and you can breath/swallow them in - heading straight via nos/mouth to brain. It pays to be careful.
One of the best investments we made is an FIR sauna. It will serve us for many years to come to detox the daily accumulation of toxins we can hardly avoid. I have long been cured of Lyme and still use it several times a week a 130F for 15-20minutes to get a good sweat (wipe it off constantly and put the towels in the wash right away). Do only what you tolerate comfortably. All else is too much and will not serve any purpose but stress your body unnecessarily.
That's what we learned.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Heat also helps the body in distributing the abx better. That's why I usually take my abx just before using a sauna. I have been told from a Lyme-researcher, that sauna/heat will increase the effectiveness of abx 10 times! Gives you great value for your money, doesn't it!?!? Posts: 155 | From Norway | Registered: Jan 2006
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D Bergy
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posted
I do not have Lyme but use a sauna regularly since I am of Finnish heritage.
I usually heat mine to 260 Fahrenheit. That is the air temperature. Stove temperature is 350. My sauna is built into my house with a large electric stove that can produce an extremely high temperature. This is not the portable type.
While the high temperatures I use may be a bit too much for someone who is not used to it, there is no danger unless you stay in past your comfort zone. Of course medical conditions have to be considered. If you have heart disease or some other major health issue I would not advise much heat.
Sweating through the skin is a form of detoxing, but probably not the best form.
It certainly does get the circulation going.
D Bergy
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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lymednva
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As a word of caution, if you have dysautonomia, you may not be able to go into any type of sauna until that is under control.
I've never been able to tolerate saunas, since the first time I tried one, in my 20's. I can't breathe in there.
No knowing why I had this problem I have tried a few other times, but had the same reaction.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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Aniek
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Member # 5374
posted
If you have not tried a sauna, or tried one since being sick, I would make sure you go in with somebody.
A few years ago, I went into a sauna. Before the door closed, my throat closed up completely. I was unable to breathe enough to tell my friend I needed to get it.
I was close enough to the door that I just turned around and left. But in those few seconds, I really thought I could pass out and die. It was terrifying.
I would recommend walking in holding somebody's hand and having a sign, like 2 squeezes, if you need to get out.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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D Bergy
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posted
The throat closing up thing is a common reaction for someone not used to the air temperature.
You are actually holding your breath because that is the instinct. You can breath just fine in the hot air. You just need to breath slowly and once you realize that it is not going to do any harm you can breath normally. It has to be extremely hot before it will actually burn your throat.
All of my children and my wife had this reaction initially but got over it after a short while.
It is similar to running water over a childs head. They say they cannot breath because the water causes an instinctual reaction not to breath. Once they overcome the reaction they are fine.
D Bergy
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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minoucat
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posted
My home sauna lets your head stick out and has a zipper up the front, so it's easy to control the heat levels. I've never been able to tolerate enclosed saunas.
And in commercial enclosed saunas, I'd be worried about what I'm breathing in unless I knew the sauna was kept spotless and chemical free. Which is definitely NOT the case at our local gym.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
D Bergy -
I have difficulty breathing in high humidity. It's not a reaction to the temperature alone.
I also have autonomic neuropathy. My system basically shuts down when I'm in too much heat because of it. My body can't handle the stress of a sauna. And that's all from Lyme.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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