Dry Sauna Therapy: A Hidden Game Changer for Lower Back Pain?

We seem to hear about lower back pain everywhere we go! It’s no surprise – in 2018, the CDC estimated that nearly a third of adults had experienced lower back pain within a three-month window. It’s so common that we simply accept it as a part of life, for ourselves or others. 

Treatments vary widely, but based on a recent study from South Korea, dry sauna therapy might be a game-changer for those with lower back pain, enhancing both pain relief and quality of life.

Dry sauna is just as it sounds – a sauna session that forgoes steam in favor of dry heat.

The Study: Dry Sauna vs. Lower Back Pain

A study led by Eun-Hee Cho and colleagues aimed to explore the effects of dry sauna therapy on patients with clinically diagnosed lower back pain. The study involved 37 participants who underwent a structured regimen of dry sauna sessions. The treatment consisted of two daily sessions, each lasting 15 minutes in a 194°F dry sauna, over five consecutive days.

Results: Pain Reduction and Satisfied Patients

The study’s results were highly encouraging, showing significant improvements in pain levels and function. Pain intensity was measured using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), which measures disability due to lower back pain, also showed improvement.

• Participants' median pain score dropped from 5 (ranging from 2 to 8) before therapy to 3 (ranging from 0 to 8) after therapy, a significant reduction.
• The median ODI score decreased from 12 (ranging from 2 to 24) to 8 (ranging from 1 to 17), indicating reduced disability and improved function.
• A remarkable 70 percent of participants reported a successful outcome, rating the therapy as "excellent" or "good."

Most importantly, the study found no adverse side effects associated with dry sauna therapy, making it a well-tolerated treatment.

A Promising Potential Treatment

This study was small, and more research is needed. However, the high satisfaction rate highlights the potential of dry sauna as a non-invasive, drug-free treatment for lower back pain. As saunas become more popular and widespread, hopefully lower back pain will become a much less common problem!

References:

Cho EH, Kim NH, Kim HC, Yang YH, Kim J, Hwang B. Dry sauna therapy is beneficial for patients with low back pain. Anesth Pain Med (Seoul). 2019 Oct 31;14(4):474-479. doi: 10.17085/apm.2019.14.4.474. PMID: 33329780; PMCID: PMC7713799.