Steam vs Dry Heat

Hyperthermia Treatment

The effectiveness of hyperthermia directly correlates with the ability to eliminate heat loss during treatments. As the patient's temperature begins to rise, the body's natural response is to perspire so that the evaporation of the perspiration will cool the body. In dry heat or radiant heat sauna, this allows undesirable cooling. However, in a steam hash, evaporation is not possible and therefore allows little or no loss of valuable body heat. The high moisture level actually causes condensation on the body to become the primary heat transfer mechanism warming the body. You still perspire as heavily, it just doesn't evaporate. The powerful cleansing and healing process of hyperthermia does not take place until the body reaches 101°-103° F. With steam, this is accomplished quickly and effectively and does not require long periods of time. "Heat loss by evaporation in a dry sauna is considerably greater than in a humid sauna or steam room," states J. Leppalutto in the article "Human Thermoregulation in Sauna" published in the Annals of Clinical Research, vol. 20, pages 240-243, 1988. According to the book Alternative Medicine, compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group, and published by Future Medicine, Puyallup, Washington, 1993, on page 303, "Dr. Lewis describes a patient who was being treated at the Natural Health Clinic at Bastyr College using hyperthermia produced with a steam cabinet."

Research Results

In a 1989 study, researchers conducted experiments which showed that the desired higher heat stress ratings were attained with the use of humid heat rather than dry heat. This study consisted of two groups of healthy males age 24 +/- 4 years. Both groups were exposed to 22 minutes of dry heat at 800° C. Following this, both groups showed an oral temperature of 37.3° C +/- 0.4 (99.14° F). Group A was then exposed to dry heat at 80° C for an oral temperature of 37.5° C +/- 0.3 (99.5° F) and a heat stress rating of 3.8 +/- 0.4 on a scale of 1 to 10. Group B, on the other hand, was exposed to only 10 minutes of humid heat which was much less time than Group A, yet exhibited an oral temperature of 39.5° C +/- 0.7 (103.1° F) with a heat stress rating of 8.4.+/-1.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. This study was written up by P. Oja et. al. and published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology (1989), vol. 58, pages 543-550 "Haemodynamic and Hormonal Responses to Heat Exposure in a Finnish Sauna Bath".

Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is an effective treatment in respiratory conditions and is highly recommended for treatment of sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies and asthma. 1. Steam relieves inflammation and congestion of upper respiratory mucous membranes; 2. relieves throat irritation by moistening the air; 3. relieves spasmodic breathing (asthma, croup); 4. loosens secretions and stimulates discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs (natural expectorant); 5. relaxes muscles and relieves coughing; and 6. keeps mucous membranes from excessive drying. Source: Hydrotherapy-Simple Treatments For Common Ailments by Clarence Dail, M.D./ Charles Thomas, Ph.D.