The difference between Steam and Sauna is very simple = Wet vs. Dry
Which one is right for you? It’s mostly a matter of personal preference.
Both saunas and steam rooms use of high heat to relax muscles and promote sweating. The most significant difference between the two is the type of heat. Saunas use dry heat generated from a stove or hot rocks to increase the room temperature to between 160 and 200 degrees. Steam rooms operate at lower temperatures, typically around 110 degrees, but keep humidity at 100 percent to maintain moist heat.
Pain Management
Heat has an analgesic, or pain relieving, effect due to its ability create more effective blood flow. Painful conditions caused by inflammation such as arthritis and fibromyalgia can be temporarily managed through heat treatments like those found in both saunas and steam rooms. For managing pain, saunas may be preferable for people who are negatively affected by humidity as are some sufferers of acute rheumatoid arthritis. However, Dr. Harvey Simon of Harvard Men’s Health Watch contends that “there is little evidence that [saunas and steam rooms] have health benefits above and beyond relaxation.”
Relaxation
Saunas and steam rooms may provide emotional and physical relaxation benefits. Wet and dry heat simulate sedative effects that generate feelings of calmness and relaxation, and some people who suffer emotional or mood disorder may find relief with regular trips to saunas or steam rooms. Saunas and steam rooms also promote muscle relaxation, which can provide pain relief from muscular injuries such as those from overuse or exercise.
Expectoration
One health advantage that can only be provided through the wet heat of a steam room is an expectorant effect, according to Dr. Doug Linz of the TriHealth Pavilion. Wet heat thins and opens the mucous membranes in your body, including in your sinuses, throat and lungs. If you suffer chronic congestion or sinus infections, a steam room can help loosen and clear the mucous from your nose, chest and throat. Conversely, steam heat can aggravate asthma, in which case a sauna would be a preferred choice.
from: http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/
Amerec is the steam bath leader since 1979.
Amerec supplies quality steam bath generators, controls and equipment for homes and businesses. Steam is our specialty; we know how to create the perfect steam bath environment, because we appreciate and respect its long history as a healthy way to purify both body and mind.
Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for providing the innovative, high quality products and services that make it easy to capture your moment daily—in a healthy, comforting and refreshing cloud of pure, clean steam. Our ongoing goal is to make it as easy as possible for everyone to enjoy the benefits of steam bathing every day.
STEAM
Imagine being able to shut the door on the world for a few minutes every day. Billows of warm, gentle steam wash over you, relaxing muscles, opening pores, inducing a skin-healthy perspiration. This is your moment—to follow a thought aimlessly, listen to the rise and fall of your own breathing, forget what comes next. When you emerge, you are yourself again, cleaner, vibrant and more whole.
Your own personal steam bath at home: it is easier than you might have thought. And once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without.
In today’s hectic world, aren’t we all looking for a private retreat–a place to become refreshed physically and mentally? Imagine being able to come home from a long day at the office and slip into the comfort of your own bath time paradise. Your muscles finally relax. All the hassles of the day leave your mind. You feel every ounce of stress drain from your body.
Amerec combines age-old traditions with modern design and technology to create your own healthy escape. Whether you prefer Traditional Finnish Sauna or a Custom sauna loaded with luxurious upgrades, there’s an Amerec sauna that’s perfect for you.
Amerec saunas are made of the finest materials available. Our wood, clear Western Red Cedar, is selected for its color, its performance in a sauna environment and its supreme quality.
We work directly with Pacific-Northwest lumber mills to secure the finest Western Red Cedar available. It is then slowly kiln-dried and milled to our exacting standards and specifications. Our attention to wood quality gives Amerec saunas a more refined look and ensures years of enjoyment.
Your own personal steam bath at home: it is easier than you might have thought. And once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without.
