The sauna and rheumatic diseases

Isomäki H · Annals of Clinical Research

Notes formal studies were lacking; more than half of patients reported sauna alleviates rheumatic pain and improves joint mobility, about one-fourth of women found it detrimental, and pain is often exacerbated with reduced mobility the day after — an effect the author states is preventable by proper cooling.

Population

Finnish rheumatic disease patients (survey data summarized in a narrative review)

Limitations

Narrative review of patient-reported experience, not trial data; 1988; the day-after exacerbation signal comes from the same unblinded self-reports as the relief signal.