HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS: MANAGING IT WITH INFRARED SAUNA AND FLOAT THERAPY
Pure Sweat + Float Studio’s Lane Faulkner shares how infrared sauna and float therapy help her manage her Hashimoto's symptoms.
The endocrine system is an often-overlooked, yet necessary, part of our overall wellness. It regulates our hormones, body temperature, and metabolism. When the thyroid doesn’t properly function, it is diagnosed as either hyperthyroidism (over-performing) or hypothryoidism (under-performing). Hashimoto’s Disease is an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid tissue, resulting in hypothyroidism and causing potential lasting damage to the body and all of its systems.
While research suggests several causes for Hashimoto’s, the main ones point to the presence of heavy metals and toxins, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies. As such, a holistic approach to maintenance and wellness has proven to be beneficial with those struggling with symptoms.
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WHICH SYMPTOMS SEEM TO BE MOST EXACERBATED? HASHIMOTO’S CAN LEAD TO:
weight gain
hair loss or thinning
difficulty regulating body temperature/temperature sensitivity
digestive issues
anxiety/depression
extreme fatigue
joint pain and inflammation
brain fog/memory problems
difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant
Cold weather can exacerbate these symptoms, making for a long, miserable winter season. But there’s good news! Research has shown that those with Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune disorders benefit tremendously from infrared saunas and float therapy.
Thyroid Health Advocate Erin Mullins Sanderson + Meredith Lile, Cool Springs
INFRARED SAUNA BENEFITS FOR AUTOIMMUNE CLIENTS
Detoxification
Unlike traditional saunas, our full-spectrum infrared saunas by Sunlighten heat the body’s core temperature from within with medical-grade heat therapy, providing a myriad of benefits. The far infrared wavelength penetrates organs and deep tissues, pulling out heavy metals and toxins, stimulating circulation, and heating the body. The mid wavelength targets joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, alleviating the chronic painful inflammation and creakiness that Hashimoto’s and other AI clients suffer. The near wavelength helps cellular turnover and wound healing, offering tremendous anti-aging benefits.
Metabolism
Beyond that, infrared saunas offer warmth that boost metabolism; some research has shown that you can burn as much as 600 calories in one session! For those with hypothyroidism, this offers a chance to get metabolism going and shed bloating. The gentle detoxification that occurs as the body warms itself relieves the toxic burden from chemicals such as fluoride, pesticides, herbicides, and mercury to make room for nutrients, encourage regeneration, increase energy, and boost endorphins.
Pain Relief
According to Dr. Isabella Wentz, “A recent Japanese study published in the journal Internal Medicine showed that chronic pain patients experienced a significant reduction in pain levels (nearly 70 percent) after the first session of infrared sauna therapy. Pain scores also decreased significantly and remained low throughout the observation period. Researchers concluded that infrared heat therapy is effective for chronic pain treatment.”
Blood Pressure
Many with Hashimoto’s also can suffer from cardiac issues, such as high blood pressure. The Journal of Cardiology discovered that far-infrared sauna therapy improves clinical symptoms and cardiac function. It also found that infrared light decreases the heart size in patients with chronic heart failure and that repeated exposure to sauna treatments improved patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. They concluded that saunas play a preventative role for arteriosclerosis.
FLOAT THERAPY BENEFITS FOR AUTOIMMUNE CLIENTS
Detoxification and Blood Pressure
With 1000 pounds of epsom salt in our float pods, Hashimoto’s sufferers can find multiple benefits from the salt’s magnesium. A key nutrient that affects stress levels and quality of sleep, it also helps gently detoxify the body by reducing the toxic burden from chemicals imbedded within deep tissues.. Without gravity, your body is relieved of all pressure and contact points, allowing your blood vessels to fully dilate. This instantly reduces blood pressure and maximizes the delivery of blood, oxygen, and red blood cells to your entire body.
Pain Relief
It’s benefits also alleviate muscle and joint aches, pains, and inflammation. Research has shown that the brain transitions into the Theta brainwave state during float therapy, allowing our body’s parasympathetic system to take over to a create deep, restorative state of being. Floating weightless in 1000 pounds of Epsom salt water reduces the lactic acid levels in your blood, thus easing pain and inflammation. The profound rest and relaxation causes your body to release endorphins — the body’s all-natural “pain killers.”
Stress Relief
Studies show that stress correlates directly to a number of other chronic ailments, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and diabetes. Float therapy has been found to be an excellent tool for stress management, providing a rare chance to truly “get away from it all.”
No phones, no deadlines, no commitments, no traffic – no stress. Cortisol, a “fight or flight” hormone, floods the body during times of stress. The Epsom-infused salt water in our tanks helps replenish the body’s natural supply of magnesium, thus reducing cortisol levels and easing symptoms of anxiety and stress.
MAKING IT A PART OF YOUR WELLNESS PLAN
While many clients with Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases experience immediate benefits from both saunas and floats, the best way to maximize benefits and manage your condition is to make them a regular part of your wellness routine. Many opt for a package or membership to accommodate several sessions per week until thyroid levels even out or symptoms reduce or disappear. Both infrared saunas and floats are complimented well with other nutritional supplements and products, such as CBD and adaptogens.