Anyone try Cold Plunge or Infared Sauna Therapy for PMR?

Hello @cheraloha, I'm not sure about the cold plunge but there are a few PMR related discussions on the use of infrared saunas. Here's a link to the discussions and member comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=PMR+%2Binfrared+sauna.

Here's a discussion on the sauna use that might be helpful:
-- Any experience with red or infrared light therapy for PMR?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-experience-with-red-or-infrared-light-therapy-fro-pmr/

Thank you so much!

I highly recommend weekly hyperbaric oxygen therapy for PMR. Best anti-inflammatory and I don’t have to take any meds anymore.

I am someone who gets cold really easily and so the thought of a cold plunge makes me cringe...however, this Sunday I went to a spa with my daughters where there were saunas, message, hot tubs, salt pools, cold plunge, everything.

I did it all, including the cold plunge a few times. I cannot say definitively if it was the cold plunge that made me feel so much better, but I do. I think it is worth a try. The infrared sauna was always busy, and not as hot as I like it. But, I think they keep it less hot so that pregnant women can use it.

Go to a spa!!!!

Thank you for your feedback. Glad to hear that going to a spa helped you to feel better!

Thank you. This is so great to hear!

I have done cold plunging for the last 3 winters and in the summer put ice in the tub! It has changed everything. Pain goes not only from the PMR but other old age aches and pains. LOVE it. and my doc is convinced it is what lowered my cholesterol from HIGH to mid NORMAL! an added perk. Anyway I love it. and have met some great people! I'm 78. had PMR 7 years. down to 1.5mg prednisone.

Good for you and thank you!

Some things to consider:

Infrared takes a very long time, like 90-120 minutes, to have much effect.

Sauna can apparently induce the same effect in about 15 minutes and is generally considered more enjoyable by most people. One question though is if infrared is doing something that sauna is not. Unlikely but needs more research. Has anyone tried both and noticed a difference?

There are considerable differences in saunas with most in the U.S. considered to be not so good and not delivering the same benefits as those in Europe. So for those interested in exploring this it might be worthwhile to invest in a better sauna.

More here: https://medium.com/@trumpkin/how-does-sauna-design-and-practice-affect-health-wellness-and-recovery-benefits-6afcdf78b63f
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In the end, the big thing is how well any of these do for relieving symptoms.

I'm also curious about others experience with different cold plunge temperatures. Most cold plunges in Europe are 65f (18c) but some in the U.S. think a cold plunge must be below 50f (10c). True?

I haven't done much research, but I have a Medical infrared sauna and I enjoy it and it makes me feel better. I can't say whether or not it is actually alleviating PMR symptoms and prednisone side-effects, but again, I find it relaxing and comforting and that alone helps with my overall mental and physical well-being. I also have a Plunge and I keep the temperature at 50f degrees, though I have gone lower 🙂 I think 50f degrees is low enough to receive the benefits of a cold plunge. Hope this helps!