PMR inflamation management

Posted by bhinkey @bhinkey, Feb 14 9:57pm

I'm interested in using an infrared sauna for inflamation and pain management. Is it safe for an individual with PMR?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

megz | @megz | Feb 21 6:36am

In reply to @freeme "Hbot and pemf therapy do help with pmr." + (show)

What are Hbot and pemf?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 21 9:02am

In reply to @megz "What are Hbot and pemf?" + (show)

Hi @megz - HBOT is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, PEMF is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. There are discussions on the topic if you want to read what others have shared.

--- HBOT Therapy search results: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=HBOT+therapy
--- PEMF Therapy search results: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=PEMF+therapy

DadCue | @dadcue | Feb 21 9:10am

In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @megz - HBOT is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, PEMF is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. There are discussions..." + (show)

I'm amazed at everything that is being tried for PMR/GCA. I was only offered long term prednisone for 12 years. Except for several DMARDs like methotrexate and leflunomide, not much else was tried until Actemra was tried. Now Kevzara is another option.

Medical treatment should evolve. It seems like PMR/GCA was left behind when it is believed that long term prednisone was the "only option." I still hear people propagate that notion. Maybe there is some hope for the future.

isabelle7 | @isabelle7 | Feb 29 6:31pm

In reply to @sandysomers "I tried infrared sauna last weekend (after having a mechanical lymphatic therapy treatment). I'm at the..." + (show)

Would the aqua therapy be beneficial for both PMR and GCA?

nyxygirl | @nyxygirl | Mar 1 9:52am

I had to look up what exactly is an infrared sauna - learning that the infrared light is only the heat source !!
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/well/live/sauna-health-benefits.html#commentsContainer
this type of comment from many a Finnish reader of NYT : " Sauna is a lifestyle at its best with time set aside for quieting from your busy life, connecting, and inner exploration. The sauna ritual is quite the opposite of the results-driven American desire to find the next fad for a superficial quest for fulfillment and eternal life."

After doing my PT exercises in the pool, i like going into the sauna so that my body and Turkish Towel dry off ! It feels great, but i certainly attribute being in remission to the effect of Prednisone on the cellular pathway of PMR.

Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Mar 1 10:32am

In reply to @isabelle7 "Would the aqua therapy be beneficial for both PMR and GCA?" + (show)

I do water walking 2 plus times a week. Mayo said keep doing and I think it helps

sandysomers | @sandysomers | Mar 1 11:58am

In reply to @isabelle7 "Would the aqua therapy be beneficial for both PMR and GCA?" + (show)

I wish I could answer your question. I don't (thankfully) have GCA. The aqua therapy helps with the stiffness caused by PMR and is helping me increase my mobility again. Additionally, it's helping build up strength that I lost when I could barely move from the PMR. My understanding (limited) of GCA is that it causes headaches and pain in the jaw and scalp tenderness so I don't know that aqua therapy would help GCA. Best to you in your healing.