The study by Kakushi Matsushita, Akinori Masuda, and Chuwa Tei looked at how Waon therapy, a type of far-infrared sauna treatment, could help reduce pain and improve symptoms in people with fibromyalgia (FMS). Thirteen women with FMS participated, and they received Waon therapy sessions, which involved sitting in a far-infrared sauna at 60°C for 15 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of resting under a warm blanket. The patients received this treatment either two or five times per week. The researchers measured pain levels and symptoms before and after the treatment using simple questionnaires. They found that patients experienced a significant reduction in pain, with some reporting up to a 70% decrease in pain after the first session, and the pain relief continued to improve with more treatments.
This study shows that infrared sauna therapy, like Waon therapy, can be a helpful treatment for fibromyalgia. The heat from the sauna helps to improve blood flow, relax muscles, and reduce pain, which are key issues for people with FMS. After 10 sessions, participants reported less pain and better overall well-being. These results suggest that using infrared saunas could be a safe, effective way to treat fibromyalgia symptoms, offering a non-drug option to manage pain. This research, done in Japan, highlights the potential benefits of using heat-based therapies as part of fibromyalgia treatment.
