Lyme Disease is becoming more and more prevalent in our society, especially here on the east coast. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you or someone you know has been affected by Lyme Disease. Lyme’s attacks the body and creates deep aches and pains in the muscles, joints, and bones. At times, these pains can be debilitating.
In this article we are going to cover a little history, some facts as we know them, and how using an infrared sauna can help aid in reducing pain & compliment Lyme’s treatment. (We’ll link & site as many sources for you as possible here)
Lyme Disease occurs when the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi enters your body via an infected tick. These little buggers can cling to you when you’re on your favorite hike, or just having a causal cookout out with friends and family. When that bacteria from the infected tick begins to interact with your body it can cause early symptoms such as a rash, fatigue, headaches, and fever. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can progress into your heart, nervous system, or joints.
Nat Geo* has a short overview on the history of Lyme Disease that notes one of two main theories on where the disease came from.
A) It’s been around for thousands of years and is just now gaining more traction as it spreads. They cite a case where a mummy was found to be infected with Lyme Disease.
B) The Plum Island Theory. As it goes, big brother decided to test Lyme Disease as a method of biowarfare and picked the lovable tick to carry and transmit the disease. They tested this at the Plum Island Lab right off the Long Island coast in New York, then it escaped by hitching a ride on birds that flew between the island and mainland. While Uncle Sam has never admitted to the testing (surprise, surprise) there is a fair amount of evidence to suggest this was the origin point. If you take a look at these CDC maps of the spread of Lyme Disease since 2012 its pretty clear the outbreak is fairly focused hear in the northeast. (Though it has been reported in all 50 states at this point*) There is also the mass 1975 outbreak of the disease in Lymes, Connecticut just a few miles away from the Plum Island Lab to keep in mind.
Regardless of where it came from, it is here to stay. Fortunately, there are some antibiotic treatments available for those with early stages of Lymes that are reported to be quite successful. Though many that have dealt with Lyme Disease still report aches, pains, and other residual side effects long after the treatments. This is where an infrared sauna can make a big difference for those still struggling with the effects of Lymes.
Infrared saunas provide a dry heat that is created by infrared rays as opposed to steam heat in a traditional sauna. This heat heals the body on a cellular level and provides a greater number of health benefits when compared to regular steam saunas. As it relates to Lymes Disease, there are two primary benefits of using an infrared sauna:
As the body sweats, it carries out toxins within the body. Not only will this help remove heavy metals from your system, it will also help to carry out the dead spirochetes that is left over after Lyme Disease treatments. After a few rounds of treatment, your body is chalk full of leftover toxins & spirochetes. By adding an infrared sauna to your regimen, you help flush out these toxins and restore a better balance to your body.
Bryan Rosner, author of “The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments” says is best:
“Unlike most healthy people, Lyme Disease patients have burdened livers and kidneys due to the stress incurred by the inflammation and toxic burden created by a chronic infection.
As a result, Lyme Disease patients often have very weak livers and kidneys. Because the liver and kidneys are the primary detoxification organs of the body, detoxification is often stagnant. This can lead to overwhelming symptoms of poisoning by the Lyme Disease neurotoxin.
Sauna therapy is one way to integrate sweating into a modern lifestyle. People have been using saunas and sweat therapy to detoxify for thousands of years. In comparison to other methods of skin detoxification, sauna therapy is the most affordable, effective, and established method.”
Body aches and pains are all too familiar to those with Lyme Disease. Later stages of Lymes can attack the muscles and nervous system, causing pain and discomfort in the body.
The infrared heat warms the muscles and as the muscle expands fresh blood is free to circulate in. As a result, you’ll notice a reduction in general inflammation. Especially around joints in the body.
An infrared sauna provides a wonderful addition to any Lyme Disease self-care routine. If you have any questions in regards to how it works please feel free to give us a call at (717) 244-2494.
If you would like to book a session today, you can click here to book & here to view our pricing.
