Steam Therapy

“Give me the power to create a fever and I will cure any illness.”  These are the very words that Parmenides and Hippocrates, two great minds, are given credit for.  Just how are they going to that, and why are they even wanting to create artificial fever?  The controversial claim of both geniuses became the birth of steam therapy.  Steam rooms have been linked with mind and body cleansing for so many years ago.  The idea first sparked among Roman, Greek and Turkish minds.

During fever, (a temperature over 98.6ºF), the body is actually fighting unwanted stuff inside it like bacteria and viruses.  We often hate having feverish episodes when in fact, having a higher body temperature is a defense action of our body from bad elements.  Steam therapy is somewhat based on this idea.  Although the amount of steam may not be as high as when one has a fever, it is already enough to alert the body to do healthy processes.  The temperature in steam therapy makes it possible for clients to achieve important health benefits while still being able to relax.

Steam Therapy is thought to increase the body’s temperature to stimulate release of white blood cells and antibodies (our body’s defenders from unwanted elements that manage to get inside the body).  This activates our immune system to fight diseases. Bacterial and viral growth are stopped because of this high temperature.  If it becomes more hot, your body might even destroy these foreign bodies.  Immune system is revved up at 101ºF.

Perspiring during steam therapy is a common picture.  The body’s normal response to an increased temperature is to open the skin’s pores to release excess heat.  Sweat going out of the body contains toxins and wastes.  This is why most people call the skin as the third kidney, which can perform a body cleansing job.  Since steam therapy creates a humid environment under moist conditions, the pores are left open and sweat continues to form. Because of this, steam therapy is a highly effective purifying treatment.

Muscle relaxation and improvement of circulation are also effects of steam therapy.  A better circulation flushes out wastes from the muscles.  Soreness and tightness of the muscles are then relieved.  Steam therapy can also help athletes before and after meets.  It makes their muscles flexible prior to straining movements in sports, and it gets the wastes out of the muscles after the activity.

Steam therapy can relieve breathing problems, is a natural phlegm remover, reduces stress and anxiety, relieves arthritis, reduces weight and enhances the skin.

The next time you catch a fever, know that your body is on alert mode fighting unwanted agents in the body.  The best thing you can do is to prevent stress from lowering your body’s guard.  In that way, you don’t have to miss out on anything because you’re sick.  After all, you don’t need to go through chills and lost appetites when you can get good health benefits from steam therapy.  Involve yourself in artificial fever sessions rather than having the real fever!