Natural Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Science Behind Infrared Sauna and Float Therapy

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means navigating a complex landscape of pain, stiffness, and fatigue that can significantly impact quality of life. While conventional medical treatments remain essential, emerging research reveals that complementary therapies like infrared sauna and float therapy can provide meaningful symptom relief. At Kairos, we combine these evidence-based modalities to support your journey toward better joint health and improved well-being.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium—the lining of joints—causing inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness. The condition affects joints in a symmetrical pattern, typically impacting both hands or both feet simultaneously, and causes morning stiffness lasting more than one hour.

Beyond joint symptoms, patients commonly experience systemic symptoms including fatigue, malaise, and depression that may precede other symptoms by weeks to months. RA can also affect other parts of the body including the eyes, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and skin, making comprehensive symptom management crucial.

The Science of Infrared Sauna for RA

What the Research Shows

A groundbreaking pilot study published in Clinical Rheumatology examined the effects of infrared sauna therapy on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The research involved 17 RA patients who underwent eight infrared treatments over a four-week period. Results showed that infrared therapy was well tolerated with no adverse effects or disease exacerbation, and pain and stiffness decreased with statistically significant improvements during sessions.

The study found that fatigue also decreased during infrared sessions, and patients felt comfortable during and especially after treatment. Importantly, no relevant changes in disease activity scores were found, indicating no exacerbation of disease activity.

How Infrared Therapy Works

Inflammation in joints from RA reduces the amount of oxygen available to joint tissue. Heat helps widen blood vessels, which can help heal inflamed synovial joint tissue that has been thickened by inflammation. The therapeutic mechanisms include:

• Enhanced Circulation: Infrared heat penetrates up to 4mm into superficial skin layers, promoting vasodilation and increasing blood flow to inflamed tissues.

• Reduced Inflammatory Byproducts: Heat helps clear inflammatory byproducts like reactive oxygen species that can reduce joint mobility.

• Improved Joint Mobility: Sweating during infrared sauna sessions can clear metabolic waste products that may build up in joints due to inflammation, freeing up joint space and helping regain a wider range of motion.

• Pain Modulation: Heat treatment may help retrain the stress response, potentially reducing the perception of pain and discomfort from inflammation.

  
  

Safety and Clinical Significance

Research results demonstrate that infrared sauna treatment is feasible and well tolerated in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Studies based on interviews with rheumatoid disease patients found that 40-70% reported that sauna bathing alleviated pain and improved joint mobility.

Float Therapy: Weightless Relief for Inflamed Joints

The Research Evidence

Float therapy, also known as Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), involves floating effortlessly in a tank containing water supersaturated with Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Scientific research has demonstrated significant benefits for RA patients.

A landmark study by Turner, DeLeon, Gibson, and Fine published in 1993 found that flotation REST was consistently associated with improved range of motion and grip strength, and decreased pain both within and across sessions in all subjects. With all but one subject reporting no pain post-session in several instances, participants experiencing eight flotation REST sessions subjectively reported pain relief lasting 24-48 hours after a given session.

The Therapeutic Mechanisms

Complete Weightlessness: Float tanks are filled with a supersaturated solution of Epsom salt and water heated to skin temperature. In the tank, the body feels entirely weightless, muscles can relax, and joints do not experience the same pressure that may cause pain and discomfort during daily life.

• Magnesium Absorption: Magnesium has been shown to help fight inflammation by reducing markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, and insufficient magnesium intake is associated with increased joint pain. In cases of inflammation caused by arthritis, there is a depletion of magnesium in cells and tissues. Intake of Epsom salt provides the body with sufficient magnesium to combat inflammation and lessen swelling in the joints.

• Stress Reduction: Studies show that stress can exacerbate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and stress reduction is a common strategy for treating arthritis. Flotation therapy is effective in treating pain while also addressing the stress and anxiety that accompanies the condition.

• Deep Relaxation: Flotation REST provides an effortless introduction to deep mental and physical relaxation. For chronic illness patients suffering from autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, discovering relaxation meant a dramatic reduction in symptoms such as joint pain, headache, fatigue, and depression.

Clinical Outcomes

Studies demonstrate that floatation rest is effective in treating pain, increasing strength and range of motion in people with rheumatoid arthritis, while also addressing the stress and anxiety that accompanies the condition. The combination of physical relief and psychological benefits means improved quality of life for arthritis sufferers.

Why Combine Both Therapies at Kairos?

While each therapy offers distinct benefits, combining infrared sauna and float therapy can provide comprehensive support for RA symptom management:

• Complementary Mechanisms: Infrared sauna focuses on heat-induced vasodilation and circulation enhancement, while float therapy emphasizes pressure relief and magnesium-based anti-inflammatory effects.

• Comprehensive Symptom Relief: Together, these therapies address multiple aspects of RA—pain, stiffness, inflammation, fatigue, and stress—creating a holistic approach to symptom management.

• Enhanced Recovery: The deep relaxation achieved through floating complements the circulatory benefits of infrared therapy, potentially extending pain relief duration.

• Non-Pharmacological Support: Both therapies offer natural, drug-free options that can complement your existing medical treatment plan without adverse side effects.

What to Expect at Kairos

Our experienced team will guide you through both therapies, tailoring sessions to your individual needs and comfort level. We recommend that patients first experience a couple of trial sessions to see whether they achieve any clinical benefit prior to commencing a regular course of treatment.

Session Recommendations

Based on research protocols, we suggest:

• Infrared Sauna: 20-45 minute sessions, 2 times per week

• Float Therapy: 60-minute sessions, starting with 3 sessions to evaluate benefits

  
  

Important Considerations

While infrared sauna and float therapy show promising results for RA symptom relief, they should complement—not replace—conventional medical treatment. Regular follow-up with your rheumatologist is key to proper disease control and reduced risk of joint damage. Always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new therapy, especially if you have:

• Uncontrolled hypertension

• Cardiovascular conditions

• Kidney disease

• Diabetes

• Pregnancy

  
  

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Living with rheumatoid arthritis requires a multifaceted approach to symptom management. The scientific evidence supporting infrared sauna and float therapy offers hope for natural, effective relief from pain, stiffness, and inflammation. At Kairos, we're committed to providing evidence-based complementary therapies that enhance your quality of life and support your journey toward better joint health.

Ready to experience the benefits for yourself? Contact Kairos today to schedule your consultation and discover how infrared sauna and float therapy can support your RA management plan.

References

1. Oosterveld, F. G. J., et al. (2009). Infrared sauna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: A pilot study showing good tolerance, short-term improvement of pain and stiffness, and a trend towards long-term beneficial effects. Clinical Rheumatology, 28(1), 29-34.

2. Turner, J., DeLeon, A., Gibson, C., & Fine, T. (1993). Effects of Flotation REST on Range of Motion, Grip Strength and Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritics. In A. Barabasz & M. Barabasz (Eds.), Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation (pp. 297-306). Springer.

3. Fine, T., & Borrie, R. A. (1997). Flotation REST in Applied Psychophysiology. In Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Theoretical and Empirical Developments in Flotation REST. Medical College of Ohio Press.

4. Mereday, C., Lehmann, C., & Borrie, R. (1990). Flotation for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary, 255-259.

5. Hill, S., Eckett, M.J.H., Paterson, C., & Harkness, E.F. (1999). A pilot study to evaluate the effects of floatation spa treatment on patients with osteoarthritis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 7(4), 228-233.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment regimen.