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Thermotherapy
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'''Thermotherapy''' is the treatment of disease by the application of heat.<ref>{{Cite journal | title = thermotherapy|url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/thermotherapy|journal=The Free Dictionary}}</ref> ==Methods== === Sauna === {{Main article |page_name = Sauna}} ==== Traditional sauna ==== [[File:Sauna-2844863 1920.jpg|thumb|A Finnish Sauna]] The Traditional sauna uses a heating element to increase the ambient air temperature. Sauna has been widely used in [[Finland]] for centuries. Today there are 2 million saunas in Finland, which has a population of 5 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/pov/steamoflife/photo-gallery-in-context/ | title = PBS Steam of Life | last = | first = | date = | website = PBS|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref> During a short sauna the average person will lose a pint of sweat. Patients afflicted with [[asthma]] or [[psoriasis]] have reported symptom relief.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health | title = Saunas and your health | last = | first = | date = | website = Harvard Health|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref> ==== Infrared sauna ==== An infrared sauna uses electrified ceramic plates to heat the skin. Far infrared radiation's effects include increasing artery blood flow, improving endothelial function, reduction in [[blood pressure]] and alleviating [[fatigue]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Shui | first = Shanshan | authorlink = | last2 = Wang | first2 = Xia | authorlink2 = | last3 = Chiang | first3 = John Y | author-link3 = | last4 = Zheng | first4 = Lei | authorlink4 = | date = Oct 2015 | title = Far-infrared therapy for cardiovascular, autoimmune, and other chronic health problems: A systematic review | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4935255/|journal=Experimental Biology and Medicine|volume=240|issue=10|pages=1257–1265|doi=10.1177/1535370215573391|issn=1535-3702|pmc=4935255|pmid=25716016|access-date=|quote=|via=}}</ref> A small 2005 study observed symptomatic relief for [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] (CFS) patients from daily usage for 35 days.<ref name="Masuda2005" /> === Hot bathing === Whirlpool or hot bath. == Heath effects == === Immune system === Animal models of the effects of thermotherapy have returned a wide range of results. Hormesis in some species results in enhanced resistance to future [[Infection|infections]]. However, in other animal models it results in an enhancement of other physiological systems at the detriment of the [[immune system]]. Even the animals whose immune systems were weakened still had longer life expectancy. === Mitochondria === When the human body is activated by environmental stressors (e.g. heat or [[Neuroinflammation|oxidative stress]]), it enters a state called [[hormesis]]. A 2008 study found that hormesis causes [[mitochondrial biogenesis]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Sano, Fukuda | first = Motoaki, Keiichi | date = November 2008 | title = Activation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis by Hormesis|url=http://circres.ahajournals.org/content/103/11/1191.full|journal=Circulation Research|volume=103|issue=|pages=|via=}}</ref> Patients with [[ME/CFS]] have been show to have reduced [[mitochondrial function]], so this is why thermotherapy or [[cryotherapy]] may be beneficial. === Longevity === Theromotherapy causes the activation of [[Heat shock protein|heat shock proteins]]. This mild acute stress results in the activation of cells protection mechanism (hormesis).{{Citation needed|reason= | date = 21 May 2020}} Over times this hormetic strengthening results in a greater homeodynamic capacity. As humans age their homeodynamic space shrinks. Therefore, hormesis helps to counterbalance this key component of aging.<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Suresh | first = I.S. Rattan | date = January 2008 | title = Hormesis in aging | url =https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163707000360#!|journal=Ageing Research Reviews|volume=7|issue=|pages=|via=63-78}}</ref> == In human disease == Sauna was found to be beneficial for antihistamine-resistant [[urticaria]], an [[autoimmune disease]].<ref name="saunaurticaria2014">{{Cite journal| issn = 1565-1088| volume = 16 | issue = 3| pages = 182–183| last = Magen | first = Eli | title = Beneficial effect of sauna therapy on severe antihistamine-resistant chronic urticaria| journal = The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ| date = March 2014 | pmid = 24761711}}</ref> While exposure to heat (as well as cold) can tone the [[vagus nerve]] and is beneficial for the [[autonomic nervous system]]{{Citation needed|reason= | date = 21 May 2020}} many patients with [[dysautonomia]] including patients with [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] (ME) and [[postural orthostatic tachycardia]] (POTS) are [[Body temperature|intolerant to heat and cold]]. A case study of two patients with CFS found dramatic improvement in self-reported [[fatigue]], [[pain]], [[sleep disturbance]], and [[low-grade fever]] after daily [[sauna]] use for 35 days.<ref name="Masuda2005">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399904006452 | title = The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome | last =Masuda | first=Akinori | date = Apr 2005|journal=Journal of psychosomatic research|volume=58|issue=4|pages=383-387|doi=|pmc=|pmid=15992574|quote=|access-date=}}</ref> == See also == *[[Cryotherapy]] *[[Hormesis]] == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Potential treatments]]
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