“Hot steam baths” and saunas made from repurposed materials have been utilized throughout the ages by different cultures around the globe, from the sweat lodge rituals that were practiced by Native Americans to the Diocletian baths in Ancient Rome. Although the tradition of visiting the sauna is still practiced today the modern age of technology has provided the possibility to offer an unlimited list of benefits. Infrared sauna therapies.
Infrared sauna therapy is distinct from the traditional method of burning a fire under an unintentional lodge to create heat. Instead, it uses infrared light waves to create warmth inside the body. The waves penetrate further into the tissues without elevating the temperature of the sauna space which makes this treatment ideal for those who cannot tolerate the extreme humidity and heat of traditional sauna rooms , and consequently miss the benefits that could be gained.
Infrared waves are not visible, and fall into the electromagnetic spectrum. Also known by the name of “far-infrared” wave (FIR) They are able to positively alter the structure of tissues in the body through penetration below the skin’s surface creating mitochondrial activity and efficiently circulating heat.
While long-term research is being conducted, an infrared sauna Sydney is believed to be affordable, safe, and effective method of reducing discomfort, boost elimination, enhance heart health and much more.
What’s more? Let’s examine how infrared saunas can do much more to your health than getting your sweat on:
1. Enhanced Skin Tone
The infrared sauna therapy dilates blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow throughout your body. The improved circulation does not just help eliminate unwanted substances and toxins, but also assists in delivering more nutrients and oxygen into the skin. Because our skin relies on these nutrients to make collagen (which helps keep our skin in a firm position) Infrared sauna therapy is an excellent way to enhance skin tone and lessen wrinkles.
2. Gets rid of Toxins
The immune system of our bodies is battling against a myriad of toxins that our forefathers would never have thought of Pesticides as well as toxic metals, PCBs found in the plastic industry, pollution from the environment as well as GMOs (genetically altered organisms). In combination with a poor diet can set the stage for the accumulation of toxins and an weakened immune system.
Infrared sauna treatments can provide your body an additional push to rid itself of the poisons. This is accomplished through sweating. It has been demonstrated in numerous studies to improve elimination and decrease the levels of toxins within the body.
3. Weight Loss
It’s been discovered that having a break in a sauna that is infrared can assist in losing weight. In a study of overweight adults, researchers observed that “… the body’s fat and weight significantly reduced after just two weeks of infrared sauna therapy.” Researchers believe this is due to an increased cardiovascular rate as well as the body’s efforts (i.e. using calories) to chill itself.
In that same research, subjects of normal weight who had an appetite loss experienced “increased calories consumed and increased eating behavior.” This indicates that infrared sauna therapy could be a hunger and weight “balancer” by raising the levels of ghrelin (the food hormone) in patients with low appetite and keeping levels of ghrelin even for obese people.
4. Improves the Cardiovascular Function
Infrared sauna therapy has been found to be beneficial to your cardiovascular health. The results have been to be so effective that studies have been conducted that have linked the infrared sauna with a lower risk of sudden death from cardiac or death from coronary heart disease death from heart disease, and all-cause death.
The reason for these effects is the increase in blood flow, heart rate and higher blood pressure for patients receiving saunas that use infrared light. In a fascinating study, researchers compared heart rate that patients get from the sauna with a strenuous walk.
5. Pain Relief
Another great benefit to infrared therapy for stress is the capability to alleviate chronic pain without the adverse effect of many pain medication. In one instance, research conducted out from the Netherlands discovered that patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with infrared sauna for four weeks saw a decrease in stiffness, pain, and fatigue after the treatment. The researchers believe these benefits resulted in lower inflammation levels that lessen friction between joints, which causes chronic pain.
6. Wound Healing
The infrared therapy has also the extraordinary capability to speed up healing process for wounds. In particular, research conducted by NASA has proven that infrared light dramatically increases cell growth and regeneration because mitochondria are capable of taking infrared light.
7. Increases Circulation
Infrared sauna therapy has been shown to increase circulation. It has many advantages, ranging from better skin tone (as previously discussed) to lower blood pressure. Researchers have discovered that the benefits of infrared sauna therapy are significant. It improves blood vessel functioning in diabetics and smokers who have high cholesterol.
8. Combats Chronic Fatigue
A recent study has found an interesting finding that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can cause extreme fatigue that has no specific cause, can be significantly relieved by saunas that use infrared light. The study included CFS patients who were seated in 60degC (140degF) sauna for 15 minutes. This was and then a bed rest under a blanket for thirty minutes in an isolated room. The study was conducted daily 5 days per week for a total 4 weeks.
The result? The results? Negative mood, anxiety and depression levels dramatically improved following the treatment as fatigue ratings improved on a scale of one to 10 ranging between 6.7 up to 4.8. Although there isn’t a clear explanation for the reason why infrared sauna therapy is beneficial to CFS patients, research suggests it could be due to its ability to decrease the oxidative stress that causes heart output and cardiac output, both of which have been associated with CFS.
It’s important to know that the study authors claim the patients did not feel the effects of the treatment but they definitely felt less tired after 4 weeks. If you’re interested to try infrared sauna therapy for fatigue, you should be aware that you’ll need to endure a full month to truly experience the effects. But, just a little less than an hour per each day over four weeks to alleviate fatigue is something that is worth it!
Are Infrared Sauna Therapy safe?
There are some who question the safety of sauna treatments using infrared light due to the infrared light’s capability to penetrate below skin layers. While there are no major adverse results have been observed during the course of treatment, it’s not recommended for children and older people who are at risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, and it is not recommended for patients taking medications that hinder their sweating ability. It is important to speak with your physician about any health issues that you may be suffering from prior to taking on the infrared sauna.
In addition to exercise Who would have thought that exercising can provide such amazing health benefits? In the end, infrared sauna therapy is beneficial to almost everyone, from those seeking to detox every month to those searching for alternatives to a variety of problems.
