I Tried Sauna Therapy for My Joints—Here’s What Happened

Sauna use dates back nearly 10,000 years in Finland, where it remains such an integral part of daily life that it’s been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Describing this environment as “a church of nature,” the Finns use saunas not only for warmth and relaxation, but for socializing, business, physical healing, and mental well-being.

Given how central sauna culture is to Finnish life, it’s no surprise that much of today’s research on sauna therapy comes from the region.

To better understand the evidence-based health benefits of this ancient practice, I turned to a Finnish expert whose research focuses on traditional sauna use.

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