The frightening realization that your body may be slowly atrophying at an unknown rate with highly variable degrees of consequence is an unimaginable experience. Yet this is what must be faced by those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS may present itself in different individuals in many different ways.Perhaps an MRI scan that shows the internal development of MS as lesions in the brain and spinal cord without any outward signs, or the reality of moving between being wheelchair bound to feeling ‘mostly’ normal, or perhaps a noticeable decline in cognitive capabilities. MS can be a parasitical beast that frightens and harms its host regardless of the nature of its expression.
The reality is that this disease does not have a known cure, and for most patients of MS there is a slow degradation of the body’s capabilities.
With both the cause and the cure being largely unknown, the consequences of living with MS are certainly felt and experienced. There are certain lifestyle changes that may help to ease symptoms of MS including a healthy diet, enough quality sleep, low stress living, and possibly exposure to low temperature and dose appropriate infrared saunas as well as other positive light frequencies.
With a strong variance of symptom expression, each individual living with MS will experience this disease in unique ways. It is important to note that most individuals diagnosed with MS will be heat sensitive. This means that to approach thermal therapy of any kind must be done with extreme caution.
Given that temperature sensitivity is such a prominent symptom for most patients of MS, and that the physical repercussions of exposure to high heat can impair motor function and cognition, all individuals living with MS should avoid traditional high heat saunas.
Find out what Multiple Sclerosis is, how to identify its symptoms, the varying categorizations of MS, and if there is ever a time when sauna use is appropriate for sufferers of MS. Finally, discover what Waon therapy is and if it is suitable for you and your case of MS.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis, often referred to as MS, is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease that may cause the breakdown of the nerve end coverings over time. (1,2) MS is a disease of the central nervous system and causes a slow degeneration of motor and cognitive mobility over time in most patients. (2)
Individuals living with MS will have lesions in both the brain and along the spinal cord. These lesions may be present without any symptom expression in some individuals, while others may experience severe physical disability.
The Mayo Clinic describes the nature of MS in their article entitled ‘Multiple Sclerosis- An Overview’ (2) when they write this.
“In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, known as myelin. This interrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage to the nerve fibers.” (2)
There are several different types of MS and they are generally classified in five different categories. Each individual’s experience will vary even with one classification.
- “Relapsing-remitting MS
Most people with multiple sclerosis have the relapsing-remitting type. They experience periods of new symptoms or relapses that develop over days or weeks and usually improve partially or completely. These relapses are followed by quiet periods of disease remission that can last months or even years. (2)
- Secondary-progressive MS
At least 20% to 40% of people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis can eventually develop a steady progression of symptoms. This progression may come with or without periods of remission and happens within 10 to 40 years of disease onset. This is known as secondary-progressive MS. (2)
The worsening of symptoms usually includes trouble with mobility and walking. The rate of disease progression varies greatly among people with secondary-progressive MS. (2)
- Primary-progressive MS
Some people with multiple sclerosis experience a gradual onset and steady progression of signs and symptoms without any relapses. This type of MS is known as primary-progressive MS. (2)
- Clinically isolated syndrome
Clinically isolated syndrome refers to the first episode of a condition that affects the myelin. After further testing, clinically isolated syndrome may be diagnosed as MS or a different condition. (2)
- Radiologically isolated syndrome
Radiologically isolated syndrome refers to findings on MRIs of the brain and spinal cord that look like MS in someone without classic symptoms of MS.” (2)
One primary symptom that runs throughout all categories of MS is heat and cold sensitivity for most sufferers. This means that if you have already been diagnosed with MS you should forgo all use of a traditional sauna that relies on very high heat. This does not mean that all saunas should be avoided, but those that raise the temperature of the skin in particular ought to be avoided. (1)
It may be possible that the use of a sauna throughout a lifetime, may prevent some cases of MS from ever developing, but this is not known. Furthermore, it is possible for some patients to safely enter an infrared sauna with a very low temperature setting under special conditions outlined later in this article.
According to the Mayo Clinic some symptoms of MS in certain individuals may include, but are not limited to, the following list.
Common symptoms include:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Electric-shock sensations that happen with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward. This sensation is called the Lhermitte sign.
- Lack of coordination.
- Trouble with walking or not being able to walk at all.
- Weakness.
- Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time. Vision loss often happens with pain during eye movement.
- Double vision.
- Blurry vision.
- Dizziness and a false sense that you or your surroundings are moving, known as vertigo.
- Trouble with sexual, bowel and bladder function.
- Fatigue. (2)
Again, it may be possible to have the telltale lesions in the brain and spine of a patient with MS without expressing any symptoms. Furthermore, for many individuals with MS,symptom expression will fluctuate depending on many factors including external stressors.
Be Aware of High Heat Saunas, Instead Turn to the Low Temperature Radiant Heat of an Infrared Sauna
A very challenging portion for many individuals living with MS is the sensitivity to fluctuating external temperatures: Either heat or cold. This means that increases in ambient temperatures, as well as decreases seem to negatively affect motor skills and cognition. (1)
It is clear that increases to the skin’s temperature negatively affects most cases of MS. This means that such individuals must absolutely avoid traditional saunas. Traditional Finnish saunas increase ambient heat to very high temperatures in order to raise the core temperature of its users. Entering a sauna set to 170 – 200 degrees Fahrenheit could be devastating to those living with MS. Avoid all traditional saunas if you are living with MS.
A paper published by the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Temperature sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: An overview of its impact on sensory and cognitive symptoms’(1), examines whether it is just a rise in skin temperature that negatively affects patients of MS, or if it is also a rise in core temperature as well.
The difference between a rise in skin temperature compared to a rise in core temperature could reveal an astounding opportunity for the use of infrared radiant heat instead of other forms of thermal therapies. While hot baths, steam rooms, and traditional saunas are off the table for patients living with MS, there may still be an opportunity for such individuals to benefit from sauna therapy if an infrared sauna is used at a low temperature, and if the body is prepared with cooling agents. (Find the specific protocol to follow in the eight step procedural description later in this article.)
The study previously mentioned from the National Library of Medicine writes about the difference between rises in skin temperature and core temperature here.
“A reason why it is reasonable to hypothesise that increases in skin temperature could also contribute to heat sensitivity is that in the majority of studies assessing the impact of heat sensitivity in MS, it is common occurrence that rises in core temperature are also accompanied by proportional increases in skin temperature. This is an almost unavoidable occurrence with some of the heating procedures used, especially when external heat (e.g. warm air, hot water) is used to raise internal temperature (as opposed to endogenous heat produced via exercise).” (1)
Since infrared saunas can be set to a low temperature it may be possible for some individuals living with MS to enter an infrared sauna to raise their core temperature without a severe increase in skin temperature. (If anyone chooses to do so they must consult with their medical practitioner prior to using an infrared sauna)
An infrared sauna set to the lowest possible temperature with the door left open could provide individuals living with MS the opportunity to experience some of the health benefits of infrared light without a major increase in skin temperature.
The same study writes about precautions to take before entering into a heated environment. Such precautions could be taken before entering into an infrared sauna.
“MS heat-sensitive patients are indeed advised to take advantage of body cooling that can decrease their core temperature, especially when it is known that a heat load might be experienced…Finally, a simple method such as cold water ingestion, can also improve exercise tolerance in the heat in heat-sensitive MS patients, without any significant change in their core temperature.” (1)
Once MS symptoms begin to present themselves traditional saunas should be avoided at all costs. Some individuals, with the correct preparatory protocol may be able to safely use an infrared sauna under the direction of their medical provider.
If you have family members with MS, or are concerned that you may develop MS later in life, then you may want to consider using a sauna as a preventative treatment.
Early and Regular Sauna Use May Prevent Symptoms of MS From Expressing
- Maintain a Healthy Nervous System
- Improve Immune Function With Augmented Heat Shock Protein Production
- Detoxification
It is well understood that MS symptoms are worsened as stress is increased by life events. It is also understood that MS is a disease of the central nervous system, as well as the immune system. This means that it may be possible to potentially prevent some cases of MS expression with appropriate lifestyle changes early in life. One such lifestyle change includes the use of a sauna regularly.
Maintenance of a Healthy Nervous System Early in Life
Saunas of any kind, when used regularly can help to heal and maintain a healthy nervous system. Most people know intuitively that saunas relax the body and render the autonomic nervous system into states of repair and regeneration. If you are someone who has family members with MS, or are concerned about developing MS, you may want to consider sauna use early in life to ensure that toxic stress is eliminated entirely from your life with the aid of regular sauna use.
Using a sauna 3-4 times a week ensures that the body has an opportunity to leave states of sympathetic dominance (fight/flight/freeze/fawn), and back into therapeutic states of parasympathetic dominance where deep healing can occur.
If an individual can do this before heat sensitivity becomes an issue it may help to prevent MS from expressing itself in physical form.
Improve Immune Function With Augmented Heat Shock Protein Production
At its core MS is an expression of an immune response that attacks the nerve endings rather than foreign pathogens and toxins. Before MS evolves into expression it may be possible to enhance both the innate and adaptive immune system early on by increasing Heat Shock Protein (HSP) production. HSPs are numerous and varied, but are increased through exposure to high heat and cold temperatures. Each HSP has a different purpose, however they are all protein ‘chaperones’ and are responsible for intracellular clean-up, signalling, and traffic control in these spaces.
For example, HSP 70 releases anti-inflammatory signallers while other HSPs can help with the production of T-cells within the bone marrow. By increasing HSPs early in life it may be possible to create a very healthy and well functioning immune system so that MS is never able to come to full expression.
Detoxification
By virtue of being alive in the modern world it means that there is a high level of exposure to toxins. From nanoplastics, airborne pesticides, and heavy metals, these toxins place an enormous burden on the entire body. While there is no known correlation between MS and a toxic overload, it is known that high stress levels increase symptom expression. The body responds to excessive exposure to pollutants as external stress and releases the cocktail of stress hormones which if left unchecked may be triggering.
Toxic loads place stress on the body. Detoxification is possible via three bodily mechanisms: Urine, bowel movements, and sweat. Through passive heat it is possible to enlist the sweating mechanism as a primary means of detoxifying the body. In so doing human physiology is bolstered into health and vitality. Engaging in a detoxification protocol early in life may relieve some cumulative stress on the body to prevent the expression of MS.
If you are already living with MS, and you are too late for the prevention protocol, then perhaps under the guidance of a medical professional consider the Waon method of infrared sauna use.
Consider Using the Waon Therapy Style of Infrared Sauna Use in the Treatment of MS
Waon therapy is a very gentle form of heat therapy that relies on an infrared sauna set to a low temperature (for the most part), followed by periods of rest on the back. Waon therapy has been successful at increasing wound healing, lowering blood pressure, and soothing aching muscles and joints. Waon therapy originates in Japan, and has been studied widely by reputable institutions. (3)
For those living with MS, who feel they can withstand some low level radiant heat then they may want to consider Waon therapy. If symptoms of MS increase as a result of Waon therapy, then stop immediately and find a way to cool down.
It is important to drink cold water with ice, and even have an ice pack on hand to cool the skin down during your time in the sauna. (1)
Here is how an article published by the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Successful wound healing of refractory digital ulcer in patient with systemic sclerosis by Waon therapy’ (3) describes Waon Therapy:
“Waon therapy is a form of thermal therapy, namely soothing warm therapy, which differs from the traditional sauna with a high temperature. It has been demonstrated effective for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) as well as for severe cardiac failure . It is performed as follows: a patient is warmed in an evenly heated dry-sauna room at 40–60 °C for 15 min. The patient is kept on a bed to rest with soothing warmth using a blanket for additional 30 min outside the chamber, and is supplied fluids to replace the loss from perspiration. The deep-body temperature rises approximately 1.0–1.2 °C. Waon therapy can increase blood flow by vasodilation, angiogenesis and improvement of vascular endothelial function.”
If you are living with MS, and you are able to enter and exit a sauna structure safely and would like to consider using the Waon method, be sure to follow the appropriate protocol after you have been cleared by your physician to do so.
How to use Waon Therapy For Those Living With MS:
- Drink a cool glass of water with plenty of ice prior to entering.
- Ensure that you have ice packs available to cool the surface of the skin off during your time in the sauna.
- Set your sauna temperature to as low as possible.
- Enter the sauna for 15 minutes with the door open before the sauna has time to heat up the atmospheric temperature. Set the sauna temperature to 15 minutes.
- After you exit the sauna turn it off so that it has time to cool down before you enter again.
- Have a resting station set up close to the sauna where you can lay on your back for 20 minutes.
- Repeat 1 to 3 times depending on individual needs.
- Have a partner close by who can help you out as needed with cold packs and any other necessary assistance.
Individuals Living With MS Must Exert Extreme Caution Around All Forms of Heat
Unfortunately, one of the characteristics of MS is heat sensitivity, and this clearly poses a major problem for those wanting to use a sauna. Not all saunas produce the same kind of heat, therefore all traditional saunas should be considered off the table for patients of MS.
If you are genetically predisposed to MS, you may want to consider using a sauna earlier in life to prevent some of the potentially correlative causes of MS. By doing so this will give you an opportunity to improve your immune system, increase heat shock protein production, increase quality of sleep, and detoxify the body.
If MS has already begun to present itself in your body, consider using the Waon method that relies on the radiant heat of an infrared sauna to heat up the core temperature of the body, but not the skin. Be sure to follow the 8 step protocol outlined above.
Given that individuals living with MS are sensitive to heat and that heat can cause an increase in motor function and cognitive impairment, it is crucial to avoid a traditional sauna altogether. Please work with your medical practitioner closely if you choose to explore the Waon method.
Heat can harm individuals living with MS, so please approach all saunas and other heat therapy tools with extreme caution and under the careful supervision of a medical practitioner.
Sources Cited:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6205043/
- https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/what-is-ms/who-gets-ms/how-many-people#:~:text=An%20Overview%20of%20How%20Many%20People%20Have,MS%2C%20more%20than%20twice%20the%20previous%20estimate.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8758589/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/sauna