Can sweat therapy remove dampness from the body?

Jul 14, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I have a significant amount of dampness in my body. I've heard that sauna therapy is good for health. I'd like to ask the doctor, can sauna therapy help remove dampness from the body?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen

Sauna therapy can help promote perspiration, thereby aiding in body relaxation and the elimination of toxins to some extent. Dampness, referred to as "damp pathogen" in traditional Chinese medicine, is usually associated with impaired water metabolism in the body. Sauna therapy may increase body temperature, leading to increased sweating, which theoretically could help remove some dampness.

However, sauna therapy is not a specific treatment for removing dampness from the body; rather, it is more of a supportive health practice. If internal dampness is excessive, relying solely on sauna therapy may have limited effectiveness. Moreover, excessive sauna use may lead to dehydration and disrupt the body's normal water balance.

To address dampness-related issues, it is advisable to comprehensively adjust lifestyle habits and consult a physician when necessary.