RA and sauna...

[marie66]

Hi guy's I'm thinking of saving for an indoor sauna as heat seems to help with lowering my pain levels. What do you think? Anyone use a sauna regularly foe pain relief? Cheers. M x

[kalel]

I am about to buy a infrared sauna. I don't know if it will help with pain relief but I have heard that it helps get rid of toxins in the body. You may want to look into doing some Chinese acupuncture, reflexology, taking supplements and exercise. I have found that since starting reflexology this has really helped me realise that I still have a lot of gut issues etc going on in my body.

[marie66 in reply to kalel]

Its an infrared one I'm looking at too. M x

[kalel in reply to marie66]

Marie I can send you the link to the one that my friend told me to buy but they are bleeping expensive. My mum had a good idea and suggested trying one a couple of times at a spa before purchasing the sauna just be mindful that of course the saunas get very hot and you may want to check things like how much electricity they use.

At the mo I am using a sauna and drinking probiotics and kefir drinks everyday and I have found that since seeing my reflexologist and starting my Chinese acupuncture every day and going to the gym it has made such a difference to my life. Rebounding is also a great thing to do.

If you are worried about anything you can always talk to you dr but I would talk to the people that you buy the sauna from cause I don't know if it will help with any pain your in.

You can always message me if you want to chat about anything.

Ps Epsom salt baths are also a great thing to do because apparently we need the magnesium if we have joint problems.

[Amy_Lee in reply to kalel]

Kalel,

Whatever you suggest here is good except "taking supplements". Do check with your rheumy first before you take any supplement. My rheumy specially told me that NO Supplement and NO Chinese Herb because many of these will push up our immune system, that will go against the treatment of suppressing the immune system for RA.

Please double check with your rheumy before any problem.

[kalel in reply to Amy_Lee]

Hey Amy I am not your average ra patient and am not on tons of meds if anything I am hardly taking anything at the mo but I was always told to take whatever Chinese herbs and supplements that I want to and that won't affect your RA but maybe different dr''s have different opinion on these things but for me personally I believe in doing what is right for you and your body and because I also have thyroid I need to take a lot of supplements because firstly I don't absorb nutrients well and secondly our soil is very depleted these days and I believe that we all should all get blood work get and check that our vitamin and minerals are at the top of their range but I am just doing what is right for me and we are all different and all need to do what is right for us. Take care.

[Amy_Lee in reply to Amy_Lee]

Dear Kalel,

Supplements or herbs that increase our immune system will interact with our treatment of RA. If you are not taking those normal RA drugs, I suppose it will be okay for you. However, I do suggest to check with the doctor first.

I am a Chinese, I went for both western and traditional Chinese treatments at the very beginning of my RA problem. The traditional Chinese doctor told me that if I had accepted the western way of treatment, I should not go for the traditional Chinese treatment any more to avoid conflict.

Once I was having flu, I took the Chinese herb's cough mixture, my joints were killing me. Those days I was not told to avoid any herb and supplement yet. Then I visited my rheumy and told her the pain. She asked me what I did and what I ate. So there I told her of the flu, the antibiotic and the Chinese herb's cough mixture. Then she told me of the interaction and she wanted me to get her permission before I took any supplement including Chinese herbs in future.

I share my experience with you here, however it is your decision and you know your body best of what to do next. Good luck.

[kalel in reply to Amy_Lee]

I understand what you are saying but all I can tell you is my dr never had a problem with me taking Chinese herbs and supplements but maybe like I said different drs have different opinion on these things.

[marie66 in reply to kalel]

Did you get your sauna and if so is it helpful? I got sidetracked but it's still on the agenda! M x

[kalel in reply to marie66]

Hey Marie I am using one at a local spa. At then mo I am renovating my place and moving abroad for six months next year so there is little point in me buying one but I am a big fan of using saunas or doing anything that helps get rid of toxins in the body.

I can't really say what helps my RA and what doesn't cause I do a lot of things for it but I am currently seeing a functional health dr and doing reflexology and taking Chinese herbs and using the sauna. However I have def found that going to the gym and doing pilates is also a good thing.

If it helps you out at all I don't think using a sauna will get rid of your RA but I def believe that doing that and using certain superfood powders can help get rid of toxins. If you are looking to get rid of some of the pain that you are in ..

I would def recommend reflexology and going to the gym. Hope things work out for you.

[lornaisobel]

Do it - where do you live - can I come - I lie in a hot bath with the hot tap slowly running - bliss - not to good for your skin x

[earthwitch]

Mum and Dad had one years ago, and while it sounded a nice idea, and did help a bit (Dad particularly), in the end it got used very very little as it was such an effort to get it out and set up, and also their one used a huge amount of power. Would be worth checking out practical things like that first before you purchased.

[marie66]

The new infrared type heat up quick and cost 20-30p for a half hour session. I don't have the luxury of a bath tub we have a wet floor area as hubby has poorly controlled Epilepsy. M x

[marie66]

saharavalleysaunas.co.uk/2-...

[marie66 in reply to marie66]

Not sure if 1 or 2 persons will suit best...yet! M x

[Gillian15649]

I have joined a spa which has all sorts of different facilities Steam room, sauna, warm room, jacuzzi, swimming pool so l can try each. I find the jacuzzi helps my pain best but also excersize a lot in the pool. I spent a lot on a spa bath with a door and bath lift but hardly use it as it is too small to be of benefit. Why not have a few days passes to a fabulbous spa and see what really helps you?

[Jmrose]

Www.firheal.com is where I get my infared items (gloves, socks, etc). Not sure if they sell sauna's. I know the gloves really help with my Raynauds's and RA.

[andyswarbs]

I go to Spirit Health Club at Oxford's Holiday Inn and have used the Jacuzzi and sauna extensively. Bonus is you get a free "I" paper and can catch up on the news whilst in the sauna. If I feel good then I go for a swim...

In my darkest days I would almost fall asleep in the jacuzzi. The support of the warm bubbly water helped me recover from some bad nights.