Sauna is a great way to tee up for a nap:

• Muscles relaxed.
• Mind cleared.
• Body in equilibrium.

We sauna enthusiasts enjoy the authentic sauna experience at varied times:

• Morning sauna.
• Sauna after work out.
• Happy Hour sauna.
• Sauna party.
• Rainy day sauna at the cabin.
• Sauna before bed.

One group technique that is gaining a presence at the VA is the Native American sweat lodge ceremony. According to a VA directory of Native Veteran Services, sweat lodge ceremonies are available through VA medical facilities in nine states including Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. Sweat rituals include multiple factors that produce positive effects on the body, mind, and spirit. The health benefits of sweat rituals have been well documented through research on saunas. Benefits include the prevention and treatment of lung, heart, and skin problems, and in promoting deeper sleep, pain relief, muscle relaxation, and helpful in treating insomnia, arthritis, and improving vascular endothelial functioning. The most frequently found psychological effects of sweat rituals are relaxation and stress relief.

More recent research indicates a benefit to combining sweating with psychotherapy. Baseline research comparing sweat and non-sweat groups showed that sweat groups accelerated and intensified group dynamics. In other words, participants in sweat groups opened up quicker and self-disclosed more. They also showed stronger group cohesion than participants in an office setting.

The first psychologist to investigate the use of a sweat ritual as a psychotherapeutic intervention was John P. Wilson, Ph.D. Dr. Wilson is an internationally recognized expert in the field of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who has authored eight books and over 20 articles on traumatic stress syndromes. He is a founding member and past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Included among his numerous awards and honors are a Presidential Commendation from President Jimmy Carter for his work with Vietnam Veterans.

In 1985, Dr. Wilson incorporated the sweat lodge ceremony as part of a comprehensive treatment program for Vietnam Veteran’s with PTSD and examined how the Native American sweat lodge can function as a form of treatment for anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders (1989). He explained how sweat rituals work to help people with PTSD, (1989, p. 69-70):

In summary, it appears that the neurophsyiological mechanisms of PTSD may be altered by the sweat lodge ritual in several ways that are theoretically discernable. First, the extreme temperature of the lodge and the conditions present to induce an altered state of consciousness, point to a changed state of neurophysiology in the brain. Catecholaminergic (NE, 5-HT, DA) and cholinergic (Ach, cortisol) levels are reduced to promote a neurological condition that results in a greater balance in the ergotropic and trophotropic subsystems. The psychological and behavioral result is a reduction in both intrusive and avoidance symptoms of PTSD. Specifically, there is a positive mood state; a greater sense of emotional stability and expressiveness; low levels of anger, anxiety, fear, and depression; and an increased sense of well-being that is experienced as being calm and relaxed and having a greatly enhanced sense of ego vitality. More important, the traumatized individual is able at this point to begin new forms of integration of previously traumatic affect and imagery. In this way the effect of the ritual is allosteric and a form of natural healing.

While there has been a greater acceptance of traditional medicine in healthcare in recent years, the use of the sweat lodge ceremony is still limited. Expanding the use of the sweat lodge ceremony may be inappropriate and impractical. The Native American sweat lodge ceremony is a religious ceremony. Incorporating a religious ceremony into a healthcare facility can be controversial to many Natives and non-Natives. Sweat lodges should be built and ceremonies be led only by qualified Native traditional healers, which can be hard to find.

One way to expand the use of this powerful technique is to combine psychotherapy/counseling with the sweating process with the use of a sauna. Saunas have been manufactured and promoted for secular use for more than half a century. They are especially practical as they can be installed in any facility, can be used regardless of the weather and can be brought up to temperature within 30-minutes. Saunas are also designed with an air circulation system, lighting for monitoring, and the components are UL Listed.

Having a sauna for sweat therapy in a healthcare facility would be useful in working with multiple populations and conditions including mental health, substance abuse, physical therapy and for people with lifestyle-related illnesses. A unique quality of sauna that makes it particularly useful to these areas is that sauna is one of the only cardio exercises that does not require movement and can therefore accommodate a wider range of patients based on ambulatory ability. Knee, hip or other joint problems are not a problem with sauna and in fact may aid in pain relief.

Below is a floor plan of a sauna that would fit well with group work.

The next step to pursuing the use of sweat therapy for VA medical facilities is to explore sweat therapy with specific group populations and issues. Research questions should include basic questions such as optimal dosing, duration, and frequency of treatment and incorporate both quantitative and qualitative research methods. There is a need for both descriptive case studies for specific issues as well as larger clinical studies for different disorders. Veteran’s Health Administration, Research & Development, may be the best resource for supporting future research on sweat therapy with Veterans. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine through the National Institutes of Health is also a likely funding resource.

References

DeLucia-Waak, J.L. (2004). Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Wilson, J.P. (1989). Trauma, Transformation, and Healing: An Integrative Approach to Theory, Research, and Post-Traumatic Therapy. Brunner/Mazel, New York.

Related articles on the Use of the Sweat Lodge Ceremony with Veterans

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0913/p20s01-usmi.html

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/11/modern-soldiers-ancient-medicines/

http://www.montana.va.gov/features/Sweat_lodge_ceremony_held_at_Fort_Harrison.asp

http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/pdfs/talkingcircle.pdf

1. Flushes out open pores on your skin – ridding toxins, sweat, dirt.
2. Contracts muscles, mind, body – accentuating the benefits explained in the rubber band theory.
3. Stimulates euphoria – endorphin rush akin to intense exercise (yoga, running, biking).

BONUS:  A three round, three clean rinse sauna:  no post sauna shower needed, no soap, no messing around in front of a mirror, just a refreshed post sauna glow.

A clean rinse after EVERY round:

1. At a lake cottage or cabin? Jump in the lake.
2. At a backyard sauna? Stand under an outdoor shower or cold water bucket dunk.
3. At an Indoor, health club or hotel sauna? Find the cold lever on the shower handle.

Like it says on the laundry detergent box:  Heat up, cold rinse, repeat.

Saunaflow's Potato Skins served up post sauna.

We are well aware that sauna is best experienced NOT on a full stomach.  For sweating is a form of exercise.  Just as food tastes better after a work out or outdoor exercise, post sauna and a clean rinse is a perfect time to indulge and replenish.

Stephen's Chicken Soup warmed and ready after sauna.

Here are a four proven ideas:

1. Apres Sauna Potato Skins. Kati and Laura from Saunaflow recently won Sauna From Finland Association’s Food Sauna Contest with this recipe.

2. Chicken Soup. Stephen appreciates a nice bowl of his signature chicken soup after sauna.  Lots of liquid hydration and some sodium replenishment.

3. Pretzel, Cheese, Fruit Combo. No prep or cooking, just easy finger food enjoyment.

Twin City Sauna Club's Jerk Chicken fresh off the grill.

4. Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken and/or Boneless Buffalo Chicken. The Twin City Sauna Club swears by this tradition.  With an outdoor backyard sauna or cabin sauna, the outdoor vibe can continue, spilling out onto the patio, often times while rotating the chicken off the hot coals wearing just a towel, or nothing at all.  Jamaican Jerk Chicken flows nicely with a worldly sauna party music mix.

CONCEPT:  Sauna enthusiasts make for good chefs.

Care to share one of your favorite post sauna food ideas?