Hammam - what is it and the history of its appearance, stages of procedures and soap massage, contraindications and reviews

Everyone has long known that the temperature regime of a sauna, Russian bath and hammam has significant differences. The peculiarity of the hammam is that the temperature in it is maintained at a much lower level (40 - 60 degrees) than in a sauna or bath, but the humidity reaches 100%, which significantly contributes to the much easier perception by the human body of the procedures taking place in a Turkish bath . Thanks to this temperature regime, hammams have practically no contraindications for visiting them, but on the contrary, they significantly contribute to the treatment of many diseases such as: salt deposits, chronic colds, respiratory diseases, muscle tone, etc.

Let's take a closer look at the construction of the hammam itself and the features of its design. A hammam is a separate building or a specially equipped room, which is equipped with the best materials that can maintain temperature and are resistant to moisture. To equip any hammam, you need a boiler from which hot steam is supplied through pipes passing under the floor. In the Turkish bath itself, this steam enters through special holes located in the walls of the hammam, due to which a uniform distribution of heat is achieved throughout the room.

Features of the Turkish bath

Hamam is unique in its temperature regime. A Turkish bath differs from a Russian bath and a sauna in that there is a high level of humidity. The air temperature here is relatively low, which creates a special atmosphere in the rooms where it is easy and pleasant to be around. The establishment is distinguished by special bathing procedures carried out by bathing specialists. Here they practice soap peeling, oriental massage with cosmetic oils, and tea drinking. Tiles and stones are used to design the premises, while the walls of baths and saunas are lined with wood.

Temperature in the hammam

This aspect is the main difference between a Turkish bath and a Russian one. With high air humidity (maintained at 100 percent level), the temperature in the rooms does not rise above 50 degrees. This is optimal for people who are prohibited from visiting the sauna for health reasons. The combination of this temperature and high humidity has a healing effect on the body. This promotes gentle cleansing of the skin and normalization of all processes. The air temperature of a standard sauna is kept at 100-120 degrees, humidity is 10-15%.

Steam supply

The building is heated by one large boiler. Hot steam is supplied from it through pipes laid under the floor. It penetrates into the premises through holes on the walls made at a height of 1.5 m. In the sauna, to create steam, water is splashed onto hot stones, which does not provide a uniform supply. In the hammam, due to the device, everything is heated equally: walls, floors, sun loungers.

Temperature stages

There are several stages with different temperature conditions of the hammam:

Tepidarium - located in a humid room where the temperature usually remains around 36 °C. This is the stage of useful acclimatization, the beginning of the process. But cleansing the body begins with it;
Calidarium is the next room/hall in which the temperature is noticeably higher - up to 45 °C. The action of the vapor is quite powerful, the moisture promotes sweating and makes the skin glow.

In the calidarium, the temperature and humidity are quite high. The steam bath contributes to significant loss of fluid.
Ideal for those who suffer from water retention and therefore the benefits of hammam for weight loss at this stage are clearly expressed. Usually it is recommended to drink herbal tea, a decoction with mint, and snack on fruit. In good, large hammams there is always a relaxation room with all the necessary attributes of relaxation. Read about the benefits and harms of delicious Milk Oolong tea in this article... How healthy it is to eat a lot of fruits and what fructose is, read in this article...
After sufficient time in the calidarium, the skin is ready to be scrubbed (exfoliated), and then, after washing, numerous methods of treatment or body skin care are possible:
massages;
hair and body wraps;
masks and treatments for face and body.

Frigidarium is the last stage of the hammam, in the hall of which the temperature is maintained at about 30C. Typically, immersion in cold water (about 28 ° C) is performed, which closes the pores and gives an enhanced tonic effect.

The history of hamams

Baths of this type appeared in Turkey at the beginning of the seventh century and implied a special culture of ablution, adopted from the Arabs. The latter borrowed the technology and architecture of Roman terms. When Islam came to the eastern countries, hamams became popular. Distributed in Turkey, Arab countries, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia. Traditionally it is believed that a hammam is a public institution for ablution. The name comes from the word “ham”, which means “hot”.

The interior decoration was luxurious, because ablution was declared an obligatory action by the Prophet Muhammad, who said that “Cleanliness is half the faith.” It was believed that you can get true pleasure in a Turkish hammam. Roman baths and temples left over from other religions were often converted into them. Women's baths were placed next to men's, with one source of heating (boiler) and water supply, but different entrances. Sometimes there were not enough funds for this. Then they set up one building and declared certain “women’s” days there.

Arrangement of premises

A classic ancient hammam - a large building with many main and utility rooms. Everything was heated by a huge boiler of water, which was located under the floor. Holes for supplying hot air were located in the walls of the paired rooms at a height of one and a half meters. Special conditions inside are created due to the proximity of the heating boiler and the pipes running under the floor.

The classic hammam, according to a long-standing tradition, was built in the shape of a human hand with rooms of different sizes. In the center, in place of the palm, there is a steam room. There are five separate rooms around, which symbolize fingers. The dressing room is a prototype of the hand. The temperature here is no higher than 35 degrees, the room is intended to prepare the body for the ritual, to warm it up.

Five corridors lead from the steam room to other rooms (symbolizing the fingers of the hand). Each room has a different temperature, you need to visit them in turn. This helps create a safe load on the body and remove toxins. Due to the special way the boiler is located, the floors in all corridors and rooms are very warm, so moving around them is incredibly comfortable. Purpose of the premises:

Jamekian. The locker room is where shoes and clothes are taken off and a body bandage is put on.
Pestemal. The room where visitors take a shower.
Chebek. Body preparation room. There is a bed made of natural marble “chebek-tashi”. You need to lie on it with your stomach down. There are multi-stage benches.
Hararet. The main steam room is round in shape. Designed for deep cleansing of the skin. Here they do peeling, intense soap and oil massage.
Keif. Here after the procedures they relax and drink herbal tea.

After passing through all the rooms, according to legend, the body is cleansed. Then you should visit the steam room again for a massage session, which should be performed by oriental masters. The movements they perform may seem very rigid, especially to those who are undergoing the procedure for the first time. But Turkish massage perfectly relaxes, relieves fatigue, invigorates, and helps clarify the mind. After the session, you need to wash yourself with a hard washcloth and swim in three pools with water of different temperatures.

Historical summary

It is a mistake to believe that the ancestor of the bathhouse is Ancient Rus'. History proves that steam rooms existed in ancient historical times among different nations. Each nationality modified and added new elements in creating their own steam room.

A bathhouse called “hamam” was inherited from Turkey, which means heat source in Arabic. The forefathers of eastern “hot” places are considered to be Roman baths. Muslims believed that in steam rooms sinners were washed from evil spirits that consumed body, soul and mind.

The Finnish sauna has been known for many years. Since its origins, the steam room has undergone few changes. The main features and features have been preserved to this day. In Finland, visiting the steam room is considered a mandatory ritual, a centuries-old tradition that should not be neglected.

In Russia, for a long time, the construction of a house began with the construction of a steam room. In many European cities, there were cases when visiting the bathhouse was banned, but the Russian steam room was still held in high esteem and people did not stop visiting it.

Modern Turkish steam room in classic style

Today it is difficult to find a hammam where all the procedures required by tradition are carried out. You can find baths that are as close as possible, perhaps, in Istanbul or Bukhara, but in most resort cities they are not at all similar to the old ones. To increase the temperature, steam generators are used, which are disguised by the interior decoration. Hamams are intended for public ablution, and this is no longer relevant for Arab countries.

Modern Turkish baths are small, because it is almost impossible to find a suitable place for the construction of traditional-sized rooms. A trend towards a revival of the idea has emerged in Russia in recent years. Modern establishments are becoming more and more similar to traditional ones. Many health centers and sanatoriums offer Turkish-style ablutions to their clients.

Modern hammams consist of only three rooms. The approach to the construction processes and selection of materials has been significantly simplified. If earlier buildings were made entirely of stone, now ordinary brick is used. The interior decoration is done in oriental style. The use of natural stone is encouraged. A modern Turkish bath consists of rooms for preliminary preparation (locker room), steam room (harareta), and cooling. Each room has its own characteristic features.

Locker room (jamekian)

This room resembles a traditional dressing room. Here a person must remove all clothes and shoes. Then here or in the next room (depending on the structure) they take a warm shower. This is how the body undergoes primary cleansing and prepares for other procedures. They walk into the next room wearing only a body bandage. It is important to note that the latter should be made exclusively from natural materials, for example, silk or cotton.

Steam room for hot baths

Hararet is a sacred place. This is a large round room with a lot of free space. They take hot baths there. First comes the steaming procedure to open the skin pores. This is followed by ablution with a coarse washcloth made of natural goat hair. Alternate rubbing and rinsing with warm water. After this procedure, it is proposed to visit the third room, where the body will regain strength after the stress it was exposed to under the influence of high temperatures.

The ceiling of the steam room deserves special attention. It is made in the shape of a dome and must be at least three meters in height. This is necessary so that condensation does not accumulate on top, it does not drip onto the floor and visitors to the hararet, but flows down the rounded walls and ends up in the drainage system. Lamps corresponding to the general stylistic design are mounted to the ceiling. Lighting should be bright, but not annoying.

Soguklyuk for cooling and restoring the body

In this room the temperature is lower than in the others, about 30-35 degrees. Here the body cools down and recovers after exercise. There are showers here. After massage and other procedures, a visit to this room is mandatory. As a rule, in a room to restore the body and cool down, you can not only lie down and relax, but also drink aromatic tea and enjoy oriental sweets.

When is it better to choose a steam room from Finland?

The steam room from Finland, according to most doctors, has a good effect on the body of people who do not suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Dry hot air makes breathing difficult, despite the large accumulation of oxygen masses and a small amount of water vapor. Therefore, people with diseased lungs and bronchi are also prohibited from visiting Finnish steam rooms. Indications for visiting the sauna:

poor vascular functionality;
excess waste, toxins;
contamination of skin pores - under the influence of excessive temperatures, pores open to the maximum;
depression, frequent stress;
fatigue, loss of vitality;
metabolic disorders;
decreased performance;
deterioration of the immune system;
pathologies of the urinary and musculoskeletal systems.

Depression

How to take a steam bath in a hammam

Ablution is a whole ritual, which is a clear sequence of actions. If you want to make the most of your visit, you should definitely go through all the stages. How to steam properly:

In the locker room you need to take off your clothes, take a shower at room temperature, and stay for about a quarter of an hour so that the body gets used to the conditions and the pores begin to open.
Visit a warm room. Stay there until the first drops of sweat stand out.
Then you should go to the marble hall. Here you need to sit on a warm lounger with your stomach down. The attendant will rub you with a special scrubbing mitt. This is followed by several rinses with warm and cooler water. This sequence of actions will ensure high-quality skin peeling. Then intense soaping occurs.
The foam from olive soap, whipped with special “pillowcases”, will cover every centimeter of your body. This is the most enjoyable stage among all the others.
After rinsing your body, you should plunge into the pool or jacuzzi. This is very invigorating and helps the pores close.
Then it’s time for relaxation. You can drink green tea with spices, lie down with a clay mask on your face.
The final stage is a massage with natural oils.

Rules for visiting the hamam

There are several traditions that are very important to observe. Basic rules for visiting a Turkish bath:

There are separate rooms for women and men.
Before going for the procedure, avoid drinking alcohol, fatty, fried and other unhealthy foods. This can put additional stress on the body and make the ablution session seem too difficult.
Be sure to wear a sarong or tie a sheet around your body. You need to take care of its availability in advance. It is not acceptable to be naked here.
You must place a towel on the massage bench before lying down.
At the end of the procedures, you should not stand up suddenly, because heated muscles can be damaged.
For a full course of ablution, it is recommended to spend at least one and a half hours in the hammam.

Massage treatments

Manipulations of this nature are performed by specially trained oriental specialists. For some, the massage may even seem too harsh, especially if a person is visiting the bathhouse for the first time. The procedure is incredibly beneficial not only for the body, but also for the mind. After it, a person feels complete relaxation, followed immediately by a surge of strength and emotional uplift.

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How often can you visit

In this matter, you need to be guided by your own capabilities and state of health. To maintain tone, it is optimal to visit the establishment once a week. You should stay in the bathhouse for at least an hour and a half, but it can be longer if your health allows. For example, women used to be able to spend the whole day there. They not only went through procedures, but also communicated, exchanged news, and drank tea and treats.

Treatments for rejuvenation

It’s just the right time to apply nourishing products to pristinely clean skin, instantly penetrating through open pores into the deep layers of the dermis. It is not forbidden to carry out:

Massage with coconut oil;
Rub in the honey-vitamin mixture;
Wrap with Moroccan clay, chocolate, seaweed.

Select procedures from the list or limit yourself to applying peach, grape seed, or olive oil.

Treatments in the hammam are not only pleasant, but also useful for rejuvenation and health promotion.

Decay products and salts are removed from the open pores along with moisture.
Tissues and blood are saturated with oxygen.
Cell division and blood flow increase.
The keratinized cells of the epidermis are removed.
The skin texture is evened out.

To experience all the benefits of this establishment, you need to know how to visit the hammam correctly. It is very important to evaluate in advance all the benefits of Russian and Turkish baths, to find out what the health benefits and effects of each of them are.

It’s worth saying right away that the differences between these two types of baths are visible to the naked eye. If a Russian steam room is always decorated with wood, then a Turkish hammam is always decorated with marble. In the east, it is customary to create the most acceptable conditions for comfortable accommodation of guests and take care of their comfort. But the differences don't end there.

Another important point: you can visit the hammam at any age, even if a regular sauna is strictly contraindicated for you. This Turkish bath has high humidity as well as optimal body temperature. These factors help achieve maximum peace and relaxation. In addition, the hammam helps to relax muscles, pain goes away, and tension is relieved.

Construction of a Turkish bath in a gym or fitness center requires special knowledge. In order for the hammam to bring the desired effect, it is necessary to use only high-quality materials, not violate construction technology, and be attentive to details. After all, the health and safety of people will depend on this. Therefore, such an event should only be trusted to professionals.

In order for you to have only positive impressions after your first visit to the hammam, and for the procedures performed to bring maximum benefit, you should take into account some features. Below is a detailed description with photographs, which will help to better imagine the structure and operating principle of the Turkish bath.

To understand what a hammam looks like, you should know the location of its rooms:

Jamekan is the room from which the hammam begins. As a rule, it consists of a lobby with ticket offices and a locker room. Also, there is always a fountain located here.
Sogukluk is the next room, which is a washing room with showers and toilets. The maintained temperature here is 30 – 35 degrees.
Hararet is the main, warmest room of the hammam. The temperature in it reaches 50 - 60 degrees. The hararet is located in the center and is distinguished by the so-called “belly stone”. It is a firebox that creates heat for the entire room. On the marble benches located here, visitors are treated to a healing traditional massage. Also, a swimming pool is often installed here, which is called “kurna”.

Thanks to a unique set of procedures and special temperature conditions, the hammam has a comprehensive and beneficial effect on the body.

Namely:

heals and cleanses the skin, relieving inflammatory processes;
normalizes the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the scalp;
accelerates metabolism and promotes the removal of toxins;
has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, improving microcirculation;
relieves inflammation in the nasopharynx;
improves the functioning of the respiratory system;
has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive system;
serves as an excellent prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
helps get rid of headaches and insomnia;
helps relieve fatigue and irritability;
significantly improves overall emotional state.

Now, knowing detailed information about the hammam - how many degrees the temperature is in its steam rooms, what are the basic rules for visiting and what fundamentally distinguishes it from other types of baths, you can safely go for healing procedures.

The beneficial properties of hamam procedures have made it one of the most popular. Regular visits to the Turkish sauna will help achieve the following effects:

remove salt deposits;
normalize blood pressure;
increase immunity;
relieve muscle tension;
cure some respiratory diseases.

Most women spend a lot of time on their own appearance. The procedures offered by the hammam staff have a number of advantages: they will help preserve beauty, get rid of cellulite, improve skin condition, and strengthen hair. Healthy sleep and stress relief will be an addition after visiting the hammam.

The beneficial properties of hammam have been proven for the male body. Since it is the stronger sex that is most susceptible to various diseases associated with the functioning of the genitourinary system, it is useful for men to visit the hammam. With increased sweating, the kidneys are unloaded for a certain time, which relieves pain. Men visiting a Turkish sauna relieve nervous tension that occurs during stress and normalize the general condition of the body.

For athletes

After a workout, the hammam allows you to relax your joints and muscles, and relieve stress that occurs during strength training. The benefits of visiting the hammam after the gym are manifested in the relief of painful sensations, which allows you to reduce breaks between workouts. However, you should not do this, because the process of muscle and tendon restoration proceeds as usual, and the felt relaxation in the hammam does not speed it up.

To relax your back muscles after training, it is recommended to steam while sitting. Lying down can cause irreparable harm to your body: one awkward movement can lead to a dislocation of the spine.

The key feature is the way the heat is supplied. A true Turkish bath has several rooms, and visitors must have free access to each of them. The differences between the rooms are in the air temperature. By evenly distributing heat, gradual warming of the body becomes possible.

This is followed by a healing and relaxing massage. A special feature of this procedure is that the visitor is first rubbed with liquid soap so that the body is completely covered with foam. Sometimes a person may feel some discomfort during a massage, but usually such a procedure is performed only by qualified professionals, so you should not worry about uncomfortable sensations, massage is aimed at relieving tension and improving health.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with: Layout of stones in a sauna stove

After the massage has been performed, the visitor will undergo a bath by the bathhouse attendant, after which he will return to the “cold” room. You can already relax there and drink green tea. But it is important to remember that this type of procedure has its own benefits and harms, its own contraindications, which you should definitely familiarize yourself with.

The benefits of hamam

Regular visits to the Turkish bath have a beneficial effect on the body. What is the effect of ablution?

Helps cleanse, moisturize and tighten the skin, normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, and eliminate acne. This is achieved due to high humidity levels. Oily and sensitive skin is well cleansed, while dry skin is softened, becomes elastic and toned.
Relieves fatigue, stress, helps fight depression and insomnia. Positively affects the nervous system.
Rejuvenates. When bathing, a person’s metabolism accelerates and the intensity of oxidative processes increases. This helps rejuvenate the body.
Removes toxins and waste from the body.
Facilitates well-being in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Regular visits for osteochondrosis, rheumatism, arthritis or muscle strain help to significantly reduce the pain caused by these diseases.
Improves blood circulation. Congestion is eliminated. Vessels and capillaries dilate, the outflow of blood from internal organs increases.
Increases immunity.
Promotes a speedy recovery from rhinitis and bronchitis. If a person often suffers from colds, steaming is very useful for him. It is easy to breathe in the rooms due to the volumetric area of evaporation. Prolonged warming of the body improves immunity and helps resist ARVI.

For a cold

If a person does not feel well, it will be useful for him to visit a Turkish bath. This will immediately ease the discomfort caused by malaise, sore throat, and runny nose. Steaming is prohibited if body temperature is high. You are not allowed to dive into the pool or take a cold shower. How Turkish hammam is useful for colds:

Warm, moist air reduces pain in joints and muscles.
Bathing has a positive effect on the functioning of the respiratory system.
The hammam bath ionizes the body and increases its protective abilities.
Due to the moist air, when you have a runny nose, mucus comes out easier and the spread of inflammatory processes stops.

For sinusitis

Specific temperature and humidity cause positive changes in the body. For sinusitis, you can visit the bathhouse during periods when there are no signs of intoxication and high temperature. It is better to go for a steam bath during the recovery stage. Washing speeds up the process and strengthens the immune system. Hot and humid air in the steam room will help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses; it will regenerate faster. The discharge will become less abundant. Rules for visiting for sinusitis:

During recovery, you can go to the bathhouse twice or thrice a week. The procedure takes no more than half an hour. You need to constantly monitor your well-being.
For chronic sinusitis in remission, you can visit the bathhouse every day. It is better not to stay there for too long; the optimal stay time is 15-45 minutes. There should be no complaints about your health.

Hammam for weight loss

People who want to lose excess weight will find it very useful to visit a Turkish bath. In one session you can get rid of 1-2 kg. The effect will be more noticeable if you combine bathing with tea, and do an intense massage. Many nutritionists recommend going to a Turkish bath as part of a set of weight loss measures. How does the procedure affect a person’s weight:

Heat exchange slows down, causing metabolic and oxidative processes to accelerate.
Pores open and sweating increases. Toxins, waste, harmful substances and excess fluid are actively removed from the body.
Metabolism accelerates, subcutaneous fat accumulations are broken down.
Intense soaping and massage help eliminate cellulite.

For bronchitis

If the disease has entered the recovery stage and the acute phase has been stopped, then moist air will be beneficial. For bronchitis, it is allowed and even useful to visit a Turkish bath. The exception is when the body temperature rises above 37 degrees and severe shortness of breath appears. If there are no contraindications, then you can visit the hammam, strictly following the following recommendations:

Before entering the steam room, drink plenty of warm herbal tea. This will help the body warm up from the inside.
Breathe deeply indoors to help remove mucus.
Do not leave a warm room into a cold one, do not dive into a pool. The body should cool down gradually. Otherwise, the disease may recur.

For acne and pimples

Regular visits to the Turkish bath promote skin regeneration and cleansing. During the procedures, dead cells are removed, and the functioning of the sebaceous glands is normalized. This helps improve your appearance. In addition, during bath procedures, toxins are removed from the body, which often cause acne and rashes. The condition of the skin and the peeling are improved.

How to avoid negative effects from high temperatures?

Do not go to the sauna on an empty stomach . Also, you should not overeat immediately before the bath. It is best to eat 1.5 -2 hours before bath procedures.
Be sure to remove any metal jewelry . As a result of heating them, you risk getting burned.
While warming up, change your position periodically . This will help you avoid overheating and warm your body more evenly.

Move slowly and smoothly . Sudden movements may cause dizziness, leading to fainting.
Wipe away sweat from time to time . This way you will speed up the process of sweating and removing toxins and waste.
While in the steam room, wear a special headdress . It will help prevent overheating and ear burns.

Take the correct position . It is best to lie in a bathhouse or sauna on a shelf or bench with your legs slightly raised. This improves the outflow of lymph and normalizes blood circulation.

Don't tolerate discomfort . If you feel hot or feel unwell: immediately go to a more comfortable area, for example, a dressing room or locker room. Do not forget that visiting the bathhouse should be for the benefit, and not to harm the body.

Don't drink a lot of liquids . If you are thirsty, you can drink some clean water (150-200 ml). Drinking a lot of water increases the load on the heart and can cause illness.

Harm from hamam

Moderation is good in any activity, and a visit to the Turkish bath is no exception. In some cases, staying in it can harm the body, so you need to treat this with caution, take into account all contraindications, and follow the rules. Possible negative consequences of visiting the bathhouse:

Pregnant women are not recommended to take a steam bath. High temperatures can harm the fetus.
People with mental disorders, oncology, or skin diseases should not go to the hammam.
You should not steam during any acute inflammatory process.
If you have severe lung diseases, you should not visit the bathhouse. It will be difficult and even dangerous for a person to stay in such a humid environment.
People with cardiovascular diseases should not be in the steam room. This will overload the body, which will negatively affect the condition. Those with hypertension should also be careful when using the steam room. Moist hot air can cause an increase in pressure. At the same time, normalizing the condition will be problematic.
In case of high temperature and viral diseases, ablutions will only worsen the condition.
Staying in a warm, humid room promotes the growth of fungus. People with any manifestation of this disease should avoid hamam. In addition, visiting public bathing areas by people with a fungal infection is unethical in relation to others present there.

Lose weight with pleasure!

The pace of life, snacks on the go, often not the best quality food, lack of time for sports - and now extra pounds have appeared. Heading to the gym? But intense physical activity, as a rule, does not evoke enthusiasm after a hard day at work. Try the hammam!

It turns out that you can lose a couple of kilograms in one session. During the procedure, metabolism accelerates and fat deposits are broken down. Temperature contrast, intensive soaping and massage also have an anti-cellulite effect.

How to go to the hammam correctly to get rid of extra pounds? Of course, to get the maximum effect, visiting the Turkish bath should be regular and combined with other methods, for example, with the same balanced diet or walking. Otherwise, the lost kilograms will return again.

Sign up for the online course “Basics of nutrition for health and weight loss”

By the way, a good mood after the procedure is not an accident, since staying in the hammam increases the level of hormones responsible for the psycho-emotional state. In addition, the endorphins produced have an antidepressant effect. Agree, such weight loss for a person who is not a sports fan is much more attractive than intense training in the gym.

Contraindications for visiting

Not all people are allowed to take a steam bath in a Turkish bath; sometimes health conditions prohibit it. Contraindications for visiting are:

severe bronchial asthma;
heart disease, hypertension;
epilepsy;
thyroid dysfunction;
cancer;
phlebeurysm;
open wounds, irritations, abrasions, scratches on the skin;
inflammatory processes in the kidneys.

Hammam for varicose veins

This diagnosis, like other diseases of the cardiovascular system, is a contraindication for visiting a Turkish bath. High temperature negatively affects people with this diagnosis. Because of it, the vessels dilate and the volume of circulating blood increases. The load on the veins increases several times. This is an extremely dangerous condition with varicose veins. Even if precautions are taken, visiting the hammam is prohibited if you have this disease. Doctors confirm this.

For bronchial asthma

People with this diagnosis are strictly prohibited from visiting the hammam. This can provoke new attacks and worsen an already dangerous situation, especially if the disease is severe and has complications. In some cases, doctors give the go-ahead for asthmatics to visit the hammam at the initial stage. Some patients benefit from moist and warm air in the bathhouse, because under its influence the volume of the lungs increases and the number of attacks decreases. Visiting the steam room in this situation is allowed only under the conditions recommended by the attending physician.

What kind of steam room did the Finns give?

The difference between a Finnish sauna, a Russian bath and a Turkish hammam is that the steam is not used for its intended purpose. The air in the sauna is dry, the temperature is about 100–110°C. Often lovers of super-hot conditions prefer to heat the sauna to 130°C. Excessive heating of the air causes increased sweating.

To cool down after the steam room, it is customary to dive from the pool, which should be built in every sauna. If the steam room is located on the banks of a river or lake, lovers of high-temperature procedures after steaming dive into the abyss of natural waters.

Steam sessions are accompanied by constant lying on a shelf, inhaling the aromas of pine needles. Reduced humidity helps to cope with discomfort associated with arthritis, rheumatism, osteochondrosis, and radiculitis. Strong heating with dry air reduces the inflammatory process. For most people, the dry, hot air of a sauna is easier to tolerate than the humid microclimate of a sauna.