Muscle aches, stiffness, and spasms are common and uncomfortable symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Because heat can help relax tight muscles, some people wonder whether an infrared sauna or other forms of heat therapy might provide safe relief.

The answer is: It depends on the individual. While there currently isn’t any evidence that infrared saunas specifically improve MS muscle aches and other symptoms, some members of MyMSTeam have reported personal benefits when they use heat therapy carefully and within their comfort level.

In this article, we’ll explore why heat can trigger or temporarily worsen MS symptoms and what MyMSTeam members say about their experiences with infrared saunas and other forms of heat therapy.

🗳️ Have you tried an infrared sauna for your MS muscle aches?

Yes, and it helped.

Yes, and it made me feel worse.

No, but I’d like to try it one day.

No, and I wouldn’t try it because all heat makes my MS worse.

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How Is It Different From a True MS Relapse?

Doctors sometimes call Uhthoff’s phenomenon a pseudoexacerbation. Unlike a true MS relapse, a pseudoexacerbation doesn’t involve new disease activity or permanent nerve damage. Instead, existing symptoms temporarily get worse because heat makes it harder for already-damaged nerves to transmit signals.

Interestingly, heat sensitivity was once used as part of the MS hot bath test, an older diagnostic method in which doctors observed whether symptoms worsened after exposure to hot water. The test is no longer used because modern diagnostic tools are much more accurate.

What Makes Infrared Saunas Different?

Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air around you, infrared saunas use infrared light to warm the body more directly. They also operate at lower temperatures, generally around 110 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to traditional dry saunas that can reach 150 to 195 degrees.

In general, it’s best to keep infrared sauna sessions to less than 30 minutes at a time so that you don’t put too much stress on the body. You also shouldn’t use an infrared sauna more than three or four times per week.

“My infrared sauna has been helping me a lot. It’s eased my pain and helped my brain fog and fatigue. I just started working out again.”

— A MyMSTeam member

Some people prefer infrared saunas because the lower temperatures may feel more comfortable. However, infrared saunas still raise body temperature, which means they can still trigger heat-related MS symptoms in people who are heat sensitive.

Can Infrared Saunas Help With MS Muscle Aches?

Research in the general population suggests heat can increase blood flow and promote muscle recovery, which may temporarily reduce feelings of soreness. However, research hasn’t established that sauna therapy specifically improves muscle aches caused by MS.

What Members Say About Heat Therapy

Although scientific evidence on infrared saunas for MS is limited, MyMSTeam members have shared a wide range of experiences with heat therapy. Some find it soothing and pain-relieving, while others find it worsens their symptoms. Many have landed somewhere in between, making it work for them by adjusting how they use it.

Finding Pain Relief With Heat Therapy

“My infrared sauna has been helping me a lot,” shared one MyMSTeam member. “It has eased my pain and helped my brain fog and fatigue. I just started working out again.”

“I too enjoy a good sit in a sauna. It did make my joints feel so much better,” added another. “I started to notice that I couldn’t stay in very long. I could feel the life being sucked right out of me, so I went to the locker room and took a cool shower.”

Another member described using infrared heat at home, adding, “I did an Epsom salt bath and used infrared heat on my back, neck, shoulders, and legs. It really helped, so I’m doing OK. A little slow moving today.”

Others have found that limiting heat therapy to target areas helps them manage pain flare-ups. “When I woke up this morning, my back was killing me. I lay down on my infrared heating pad and took ibuprofen. Soon the pain subsided to the point I could get up,” wrote one member.

When Heat Therapy Makes Symptoms Worse

For many people with MS, the challenge isn’t muscle pain itself. It’s what happens when body temperature rises.

One MyMSTeam member wrote, “I can’t do saunas, baths, etc. because I’m extremely heat sensitive. I need to stay cool to keep me strong.”

“I can’t do saunas, baths, etc. because I’m extremely heat sensitive. I need to stay cool to keep me strong.”

— A MyMSTeam member

“I only tried a sauna once. I should try again, but I can’t get too hot because then I’d faint,” noted another. “My body hates heat. If there was a sauna that deals with the cold, then I would definitely do it!”

Finding a Middle Ground With Heat Therapy

Not everyone experiences an all-or-nothing reaction to heat. Some members have also reported modifying how they use heat to their advantage rather than avoiding it altogether.

“I haven’t tried a sauna, but I have done hot tubs only at night,” stated someone. “I have heat sensitivity, but it’s worth the relaxation of my muscles and sleeping through the night to wake up feeling refreshed.”

“I can’t use a sauna because of the excessive heat,” another agreed. “I’ve never been able to tolerate it. But a spa/jacuzzi, absolutely!”

“I can’t use a sauna because of the excessive heat. I’ve never been able to tolerate it. But a spa/jacuzzi, absolutely!”

— A MyMSTeam member

Others prefer localized heat instead of full-body heat exposure. One even added, “My joints are in bad shape today. I’m leaning into a deep infrared heating pad that should warm my core.”

Remember, each person’s experience with MS is different, including when it comes to heat therapy.

Tips for Trying Heat Therapy Safely

If you’re interested in trying an infrared sauna or other heat therapy for your MS muscle aches, be sure to talk with your neurologist or healthcare provider first about using it safely.

If your healthcare team gives you the green light to try heat therapy, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Start with short sessions that are set at lower temperatures.
• Drink water or cold fluids before and after heat exposure to reduce the risk of dehydration.
• Have a cooling strategy ready, such as a cool shower, cooling vest, spray bottle with cool water, fan, or air-conditioned space.
• Stop immediately if you notice worsening symptoms, like vision changes, balance problems, severe fatigue, dizziness, or nausea.

Keeping these precautions in mind can help you gauge whether heat therapy is worth trying for your own symptoms.

Is Infrared Sauna Therapy Right for You?

An infrared sauna may help some people with MS feel more relaxed or temporarily reduce muscle discomfort, but there’s currently no strong evidence that infrared saunas specifically treat MS muscle aches.

For many people with MS, heat exposure can actually worsen symptoms, but everyone’s body is different. If you’re interested in trying a sauna for body aches, the safest approach is to work closely with your healthcare team to determine whether heat therapy is right for you.