Questions frequentes

Physiotherm itself has not carried out any studies on pregnant women. Yet a large number of research studies have been published which investigate the effects of the Finnish sauna on pregnancy. No negative effects have been described for pregnancies without complications, on the contrary, some benefits are reported. There is a consensus of opinion that overheating (i.e. artificial fever) should be avoided and that the physician responsible should be consulted.
The stress on the circulatory system during a Physiotherm session is considerably smaller, equivalent to cycling slowly at a speed of 10 kph. The body core temperature is increased by 0.2 to 0.3 °C, a level within the range of daily variation. No increased risk associated with the use of a Physiotherm cabin can be concluded from this data. Infrared radiation does not penetrate to or directly affect the child, the amniotic fluid or the uterus, so that no hazard can be identified in this case either.

Nevertheless:
each pregnancy progresses individually, and only the physician treating you is competent to determine whether you are subject to an increased risk by using the Physiotherm cabin. Therefore, please consult your doctor. You may wish to assist him or her by referring to the results of the safety study (link).

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Physiotherm has carried out no studies of its own to determine possible changes in the milk of nursing women due to use of a cabin. No negative effects whatsoever of infrared radiation on mother’s milk are to be expected, however, since infrared rays cannot penetrate to gland tissue.

Milk production can be stimulated by enhanced blood circulation. In any case you should be mindful of the increased needs for fluids and minerals caused by milk production and the additional loss of fluids and minerals due to perspiration. Especially while nursing, care should be taken here to ensure that losses are more than compensated.

“Sweating” contributes to detoxification of the body through the sweat glands, and some experts believe that this can have positive effects on mother’s milk.

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You must not use the cabin if you are suffering from a recent thrombosis. The physician treating you will be able to determine when no risk exists any longer due to increased blood circulation (i.e. increased reversed blood flow through the veins) through the affected leg.

Varicose veins are of themselves no reason to avoid using the cabin. Physiotherm intentionally does not employ heaters in the lower leg region, so that treatment agrees well with most people. Nonetheless, during treatment the venal system must return an increased volume of blood to the body, so that in rare cases (i.e. with a seriously damaged venal system) a feeling of tension in the lower leg may be reported. The veins are then working to capacity to transport blood. You can, if necessary, put up your legs on a small stool (10 - 15 cm is usually a sufficient height) in order to minimise the hydrostatic pressure in the veins of the lower leg. Additionally, you can use a soft seat (e.g. foam cushion), but please cover it with aluminium foil to protect it from the heater. An appropriate seat improves pressure distribution in the thighs and facilitates the reverse flow of blood to the veins. Make sure that your thighs and knees are bent as little as possible; this also facilitates the reverse flow of blood from the legs.

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Unlike microwaves or alternating magnetic fields, infrared radiation is unable to penetrate the body. This means that implants, regardless of what kind, cannot be directly heated by infrared radiation. In the area of the back exposed to radiation directly through thermal conduction, temperatures of about 39 °C are reached at a depth of 2 cm. During Physiotherm treatment, the body core temperature increases by 0.2 - 0.3 °C, a level equivalent to the range of physiological variation. Implants must be designed in such a way as to withstand without difficulty even high fever (temperatures up to 42 °C).

The only exception are implants such as pumps which are controlled or supplied by an external outlet. Direct exposure of hoses, cables or the region where the implant passes through the skin should be avoided.

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Like other implants, cardiac pacemakers are not affected by infrared radiation. The electromagnetic fields able to be measured in these cabins are of an intensity much lower than the levels that may be considered problematic.

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When suffering from low blood pressure, special attention should be given to an adequate intake of minerals and fluids.

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Due to gradual redistribution of blood, a slight increase in systolic pressure (the higher value of the two) occurs during treatment. In cases of very high blood pressure, you should ensure that the condition is controlled by medication. Regular application of Physiotherm treatment can in both cases contribute to amelioration of symptoms as a result of training the vascular system.

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Particularly when you feel a cold coming on, it is beneficial to use the cabin, as long as no circumstances contraindicating treatment exist (e.g. presence of fever or acute bacterial infections). Make sure to wrap up warmly after leaving the cabin – even your head and feet.

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Children, too, can take advantage of the low temperature infrared principle developed by Physiotherm. This provides for comfortable, natural perspiration at temperatures as low as 30 °Celsius.

Please observe the guidelines listed below. These have been prepared with reference to current research and our experience of many years.

Children should never use the cabin unless accompanied by an adult. You may, of course, take toys with you into the cabin, or you may read children’s books out loud. This makes the time pass more quickly and never becomes boring.
The surface area of a child’s body is in proportion larger than that of an adult’s, which means that children also absorb more warmth in relative terms. You should therefore reduce the length and intensity of the session.

Please make sure that the child drinks water before and after the session.

Recommendation for parents:

0-1 years: Infants up to 12 months should remain in the cabin in their mother’s arms and for no longer than 10 minutes.

1-3 years: Toddlers aged one to three years should maintain a distance of at least 10 cm from the heater and not stay for more than 10 minutes.

3-6 years: Children aged three to six years should maintain a distance of at least 5 cm from the heater and not stay for more than 15 minutes.

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During pregnancy, illness (e.g. sensitivity disorders including those following skin treatment, paralysis, epilepsy, high blood pressure, scars on the back, implants with external access) or when taking medication, in particular medication which might impair heat sensation, consult your physician before using the cabin.

Please avoid treatment in the presence of fever, acute infections and inflammation, recent injuries, thromboses, when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or after a sun bath or solarium.

In cases of other illnesses you are welcome to contact your Physiotherm consultant. We will be happy to forward your enquiries to our Medical Science Department.

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The term infrared radiation (abbreviated IR radiation, also ultra-red radiation) refers in physics to electromagnetic radiation in the range of the spectrum between visible light and terahertz radiation with longer wavelengths. Infrared radiation is a part of thermal radiation.The term infrared radiation (abbreviated IR radiation, also ultra-red radiation) refers in physics to electromagnetic radiation in the range of the spectrum between visible light and terahertz radiation with longer wavelengths. Infrared radiation is a part of thermal radiation.