Infrared Sauna
Infrared Sauna Therapy
All saunas are beneficial for the body. Conventional saunas rely on indirect means to heat the body. These saunas heat the air currents and then, by conduction where the hot air has direct contact with the skin, they heat the body.
The infrared sauna’s heat goes down to the subcutaneous cell fat storage, pulling chemicals out directly into the sweat. A greater sweat volume up to two to three times higher than regular saunas is achieved at lower temperatures (between 110-120 deg. F) compared to wood/electric temperatures (160-200 deg.F).
The three main benefits of an Infrared Sauna are: 1st, to burn calories and control weight, 2nd, improve elimination through sweating, and 3rd, relieve muscle pain.
Burns Calories and Controls Weight
As you relax in the infrared heat, your body is actually hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories. As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart will work harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation and improve overall cardiovascular fitness.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, in a single sauna session you may burn as many calories (600) as if you have rowed or jogged for 30 minutes! Up to 600 calories can be burned in a 30-minute infrared sauna session.
European beauticians have traditionally used saunas to help eliminate cellulite. Since the far infrared radiant heat of our sunlight sauna warms three times as deep as conventional saunas, it is significantly more effective at reducing cellulite and improving skin tone, firmness and elasticity.
Relieves Muscle Pain
The deep heat of an infrared sauna helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscle, so they recover faster.
Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion.
Far Infrared heat relieves muscle tension and thereby helping your body to make the most of its intended healing abilities. Infrared heat reduces soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle joints and fibers are heated.
Improve Elimination Through Sweating
When our bodies heat up they counteract the increased body heat levels through their natural cooling process of perspiration or sweating, since the skin is the largest eliminative organ in the body. The autonomic nervous system governs the sweat glands, the main purpose being to keep the skin moist and the body temperature regulated, and to excrete waste. People who do not sweat easily may be unable to eliminate toxins properly and these toxins may upset the nervous system.
Elimination through sweating is more passive and requires less energy than elimination through the kidneys and bowels. Along with water, sweat glands secrete minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper, and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and nickel. Studies have shown that other chemicals such as morphine and amphetamines as well as chlorinated pesticides can be eliminated through the skin.
The infrared sauna will warm the body to a much deeper level and more efficiently than a conventional sauna. It converts energy directly to heat inside the body and not the air around it, which then only superficially heats the skin.
Contraindications
If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect any of the following disorders, infrared sauna therapy may not be appropriate for you:
- Adrenal suppression and systematic lupus erythematosus or multiple sclerosis.
- Recent (acute, within 48 hours) joint injury, chronically hot and swollen joints, enclosed infections (either dental, in-joints or any other tissue).
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.
- Metal pins, rods, artificial joints or any other surgical implant due to the reflection of infrared rays by these articles.
- Hemophiliacs and anyone predisposed to hemorrhage should avoid any type of heating that would induce vasodilatation, which can potentiate the tendency to bleed.