Anesth Pain Med.  2019 Oct;14(4):474-479. 10.17085/apm.2019.14.4.474.

Dry sauna therapy is beneficial for patients with low back pain

• Cho EH
• Kim NH
• Kim HC
• Yang YH
• Kim J
• Hwang B

• KMID: 2465348
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17085/apm.2019.14.4.474

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Dry sauna has been very popular as an alternative therapy for promoting health among people who want to improve their health condition without relying on pharmaceuticals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dry sauna therapy improved quality of life and reduced pain in participants with low back pain.
METHODS
Study participants comprised a total of 37 consecutive patients who were over 20 years of age with low back pain. Dry sauna therapy was performed twice per day for 5 consecutive days over the course of 1 week, thus comprising a total of 10 sessions each of 15 min of exposure to a 90℃ dry sauna.
RESULTS
The verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were significantly reduced after dry sauna therapy (P < 0.001 for both). VNRS pain scores had a median (range) of 5 (2-8) before dry sauna therapy and 3 (0-8) after dry sauna therapy. ODI scores had a median (range) of 12 (2-24) before dry sauna therapy and 8 (1-17) after dry sauna therapy. The proportion of participants who reported successful treatment (excellent + good) was 70%. No adverse effects were observed related to dry sauna therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that dry sauna therapy may be useful to improve quality of life and reduce pain in patients with low back pain. Therefore, pain physicians can recommend dry sauna therapy as an alternative and complimentary therapy for patients with low back pain.

Keyword

Low back pain; Pain; Quality of life; Steam bath

MeSH Terms

Humans
Low Back Pain*
Quality of Life
Steam Bath*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Effect on verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) after dry sauna therapy in participants with low back pain (n = 37). Data are presented as median, interquartile range (box), and range (whiskers), °P < 0.001.

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  Fig. 2 Effect on Oswestry disability index (ODI) after dry sauna therapy in participants with low back pain (n = 37). Data are presented as median, interquartile range (box), and range (whiskers), °P < 0.001.

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