While many people are familiar with traditional saunas, infrared saunas are a relativity new adaptation. Traditional saunas have been used for centuries as a treatment for a variety of health conditions, but the research showing the actual benefits has been questionable at best. However, infrared saunas work differently than traditional saunas. Whereas traditional saunas only heat the surrounding air, full-spectrum infrared sauna therapy uses harmless low-frequency electromagnetic radiation across the full light-wave spectrum to directly warm the body. The infrared heat penetrates deeply into the body to slightly raise your internal body temperature.
Infrared saunas also operate at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna, between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 150 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. This makes the sessions more tolerable to people who may not be able to take the higher temperature of traditional saunas. Additionally, the staff at Be Still Float that offers infrared sauna in Jacksonville, Florida points out that infrared heat more easily penetrates human tissue to produce a number of therapeutic results, including the following:
Detoxification
One of the significant benefits of a full-spectrum infrared sauna is it stimulates the immune system to help increase the body’s detoxification process. The body is constantly bombarded with toxins in food, water, and the air. Because there is literately no getting away from it, the only way to effectively deal with this onslaught of toxins is by helping the body be as efficient as possible in expelling them. However, constant exposure requires the body to expel toxins continually, and regular infrared sauna treatments may help improve the ongoing detoxification process.
Weight Loss
Research conducted at Binghamton University in New York showed that people saw significant weight reduction after using full-spectrum infrared sauna therapy. The study found a temporary increase in core body temperature resulted in an overall reduction in body fat percentage. The study found people who used infrared sauna for 30 minutes three times a week for four months saw an average of a four percent reduction in body fat. This would be the equivalent of a 150-pound person losing six pounds of fat. Participants did not change their exercise, or dietary habits during the study, and the control group experienced no weight loss.
Improves Skin Clarity and Tone
Many people turn to topical applications and chemical skin peels in an attempt to rejuvenate the skin. However, these treatments can burn the skin and often do more harm than good. Infrared sauna therapy deep heats the tissue to help the body expel these contaminants from the skin with the body’s natural cleansing process of perspiration. This also aids in increasing blood flow that brings more oxygen to the cells for healthy, softer, younger-looking skin.
Improved Circulation
Infrared light wavelengths are not visible to the human eye but are felt as heat. These heat waves penetrate deep into the body past the seven layers of epidermal tissue or skin and fully engage the body at the cellular level. In turn, this provokes a cellular response in the soft tissues, raises the body’s internal temperature, and improves blood circulation and oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Studies have found that infrared sauna treatments can help with chronic fatigue syndrome. While the precise mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed it may have something to do with the increased quality of sleep that comes from increased relaxation.
Increased Relaxation and Improved Mental Health
Full-spectrum infrared sauna helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by increasing the production of the neural transmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These substances are the body’s natural endorphins that act as natural mood enhancers and lower the stress-causing hormone cortisol in the body. A study at Oxford University in England showed evidence that using an infrared sauna at least five times in a 30-day period effectively increased mental well-being.
Hypertension
High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer” as it has no symptoms but can cause a host of medical conditions such as strokes and heart attacks. According to one clinical study, infrared sauna therapy has shown promise in reducing blood pressure.
Pain Relief
All pain in the body is caused by some type of nerve impingement resulting from some form of inflammation that places pressure on nerve endings. The increased circulation that results from infrared sauna sessions helps to stimulate the immune system to target and reduce the inflammation that causes pain. Following is a list of painful conditions that full-spectrum infrared sauna therapy may help with:
• Arthritis
• Depression and Anxiety
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• High Blood Pressure
• Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Psoriasis
Studies have shown that infrared sauna treatment helps decrease muscle soreness, and recovery time from strength-training sessions is also reduced.
Improved Sleep Quality
Sleep disorders can have far-reaching consequences on both physical health and mental well-being. Clinical research has shown that sleep problems are prevalent in people who suffer from anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. Because of the relaxation effect, infrared sauna treatment can indirectly help with these issues by improving sleep quality.
Improved Brain Functioning
Because infrared Saunas help improve circulation throughout the body, the brain benefits from improved blood flow to increase overall mental alertness that helps with the execution of tasks. Studies from the Neurovascular Research Laboratory at the University of South Wales have found that increased blood flow to the brain may lower the risk of dementia caused by a reduced blood supply that often occurs due to aging.
Guidelines for Using Infrared Saunas
Following are some general guidelines to help you get the most out of your infrared sauna sessions:
• Drink a full eight-ounce glass of water before your session and bring water into the sauna to drink as needed.
• The average temperature for an infrared sauna is between 100 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Start with a temperature at the low end and increase it gradually as you become accustomed to the heat.
• First-time users should begin with 10 to 15-minute sessions and increase the time gradually, building up to the suggested full 20 to 30-minute session.
• There is no dress code for using an infrared sauna, and some people wear a swimsuit, whereas others prefer their birthday suit.
• While in the sauna, you can read, listen to music, meditate or talk with friends, but do not allow yourself to fall asleep as this may create the danger of overexposure.
• After your session, allow your body to cool down, drink some more water and then take a shower or bath.
• For maximum benefit, you should start out using the sauna at least twice a week and work up to the recommended three or four sessions per week.
Note that you should avoid using an infrared sauna if you have been drinking alcohol, feel ill, or have a fever or health condition like high blood pressure or heart issues. If you are under medical care, do not use any sauna unless cleared by your healthcare provider.
Thanks to new studies, the infrared sauna is finally getting the attention and credit it deserves as a wellness therapy. Be Still Float offers infrared sauna Jacksonville and a host of other wellness treatments. Contact them today at 904-593-2452 for more information on infrared sauna, or visit them online at bestillfloat.com to schedule your first session. If you are outside of the Jacksonville, Florida area, you can find a treatment facility by performing an online search for “infrared sauna near me”.
