Institute for Health Care - Outpatient Rehabilitation

Examination of the Effectivity of Infrared Saunas in the Practice of Treatment for Cardialogy Patients

Basic Considerations

In the following pages I would like to give you a short report of our experience with a physiotherm infrared sauna for 1-2 persons with regard to outpatient cardiological rehabilitation in Bergisch Gladbach.

In co-operation with the Evangelical Hospital Bergisch Gladbach, the Institute for Health Care, has been operating an outpatient cardiological rehabilitation programme in Bergisch Gladbach since August 2000. As an extension of our therapeutical services offered so far, we wished to test whether the application of infrared radiation using the "Physiotherm" infrared sauna could be of value in therapeutical application also outside the sphere of wellness. As a rehabilitation facility, we were interested not only in the question of heart and circulation parameters, blood pressure and heartbeat, but above all the subjective health state of our patients. A large proportion of cardiological patients who undertake cardiological rehabilitation suffer psychosomatic symptoms, which could be post operative temporary syndromes, anxiety, fits of depression, nervousness. Other accompanying postoperative symptoms are anaemic conditions, chilly feelings, "feelings of emptiness". These symptoms were previously considered only as consequences; now we know that they are mostly part of a systematic illness. Heart disease is no longer considered as failure of a "defective" body part, but as an ailment of the body, mind and psyche in conjunction, which are not treated only by methods of classical medicine (cardiography, dilatation, stent, bypass OP, medication), but also by healing methods previously considered as alternative medicine (motion therapy, meditation, breathing therapy, dieting, aroma therapy, psychotherapeutic methods). We are interested here to consider whether by new means of physical therapy, e.g. infrared radiation a healing process can be strengthened.

In order to establish a background for the examination, we observed and questioned a total of 123 patients in a period of 10 months in their use of the Physiotherm.

 

 

Examination Procedures

Use of the Physiotherm was accompanied by comprehensive discussion and adjustment of the aroma and light therapy. The aromas were selected accordingly to balance deficiencies. Patients with depressive moods received first of all vitalising, lightening aromas, patients with anxiety conditions or nervousness received more sedative aromas. This method was also applied to the adjustments for colour therapy. As a rule 3 - 4 treatments per patient were applied for a period of 15 - 30, but mostly 20 minutes. 

Evaluation

The vast majority of patients knew nothing of the infrared sauna; they mostly considered them the same way as a sauna, sweat baths etc. Preliminary discussions gave us mainly the impression that our patients thought of our saunas as a gimmick. This impression changed considerably, however, after the first treatment. 94.4 % of all patients stated that the treatment in general had done them good; 61,8 % wished to use it more often. In particular those who had suffered considerably with long periods of hospitalisation or operations described the time in the physiotherm as "regenerating" and "beneficial". A clear mood lightening and "a good feeling" were apparent throughout. This is also apparent in the evaluation of the general state of the patients before and after the Physiotherm.

 

 

Conclusion

It is important that almost all our patients (94.4%) found it extremely beneficial and enhancing to use the Physiotherm during their rehabilitation. For many it was certainly an important step towards their recovery. The Physiotherm Infrared Sauna is a effective, supportive therapy that offers in addition, a good possibility for patients to be treated as they choose in the short term. We can greatly recommend this equipment and we were most satisfied with our work with it.