Sauna therapy is a leisure activity originating in Korea with a long history, deeply beloved by the public and a hallmark of Korean culture. Riding the wave of Korean cultural popularity, sauna therapy entered China alongside Korean dramas, fashion, cosmetics, and beauty techniques. Within just a few years, it gained rapid recognition and acceptance among Chinese people, gradually evolving into a new wellness practice that is enthusiastically embraced and pursued.
A. Sauna therapy promotes blood circulation, dispels blood stasis, and regulates bodily functions. Director Pan explains that from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, sauna therapy is a method of inducing perspiration to expel pathogenic factors from the body. The process enhances vital energy and blood flow, strengthening the self-defense capabilities of all internal organs. This self-defense mechanism helps resist wind, dampness, cold, and toxins.It can also treat arthralgia or visceral pain caused by cold pathogens, and is used for certain superficial or solid cold syndromes.
Sauna therapy unblocks meridians, promotes blood circulation, and removes blood stasis. By dispelling wind, clearing heat, nourishing the five organs, and replenishing qi and blood, it accelerates blood flow, strengthens disease resistance, and maintains overall health. For those with weak constitutions or deficient vital energy, sauna heat therapy can fortify qi. It also demonstrates significant efficacy for individuals with spleen deficiency with dampness obstruction, internal cold-dampness stagnation, predominant wind-dampness conditions, and gout.
Sauna therapy can treat conditions classified under wind-cold-damp syndromes in TCM, including gout, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, lower back and leg soreness, various cervical and lumbar disc herniations, bone spurs, sciatica, femoral head necrosis, stroke, and hemiplegia.Sweat therapy can regulate the yin-yang balance in middle-aged and elderly individuals, strengthen cellular functions, disinfect and sterilize, alleviate various skin itchiness, address initial wind-cold external infections, warm meridians and activate collaterals, eliminate dampness and relieve pain, regulate sleep, benefit fatigued individuals, and promote mental clarity and refreshment. It also demonstrates remarkable efficacy for those with spleen deficiency with dampness retention, internal obstruction of cold-dampness, predominant rheumatic conditions, and gout.
B. Numerous Benefits, Yet Not Suitable for Everyone
However, Director Pan also notes that while sweat therapy offers many advantages, it is not suitable for everyone. The following groups should avoid it:
1. Male infertility: Frequent sweat therapy sessions may be a contributing factor to male infertility.
In Finland, the birthplace of saunas, male infertility rates are notably high, a phenomenon closely linked to the local sauna culture.Testicles typically operate at a temperature 3-4°C lower than body temperature to produce healthy sperm. Sperm development is highly sensitive to temperature, requiring conditions cooler than body heat. Sauna temperatures, however, are significantly higher than body temperature, which can hinder sperm growth or cause excessive decline in sperm motility, potentially leading to infertility.
Clinical statistics indicate that a significant portion of male infertility cases stem from testicular temperatures exceeding normal ranges. For unmarried, childless men, besides limiting sauna use, other factors that elevate testicular temperature should be avoided whenever possible. These include prolonged cycling, hot baths, extended periods of sitting, and wearing tight jeans.Of course, this doesn't mean sauna sessions are absolutely forbidden; occasional use is acceptable. Those who have already fathered children can enjoy them without concern.
2. Individuals with bleeding disorders, women during menstruation, those with severe hypertension, serious heart disease, pacemakers, tuberculosis, acute illnesses, advanced cancer, high fever, malignant tumors, contagious skin diseases, or other conditions that make them intolerant to high temperatures should avoid saunas.
3. Elderly individuals should avoid saunas, as their weakened physical condition may lead to electrolyte imbalance from excessive sweating, which can be life-threatening in severe cases.
C. Avoid saunas before makeup removal, after meals, or after drinking alcohol.
Additionally, Director Pan advises sauna enthusiasts to avoid immediate sessions after eating or drinking alcohol.
The optimal session duration is 45-60 minutes, though this may be adjusted based on individual tolerance;
Avoid showering for 4 hours after saunas. Pat dry with a towel post-session, refrain from smoking for 2 hours, and avoid consuming excessively cold foods;
If dizziness or discomfort occurs during sauna use, discontinue immediately or rest before resuming;
Remove makeup before entering the sauna. Avoid frequent exits during the session. Drink moderate amounts of warm water. For 10-24 hours after the experience, cells undergo repair and regeneration. Refrain from consuming cold beverages or foods, direct contact with cold water, or showering. Pat your body dry with a towel instead.