5 Studied and Health Boosting Benefits of Infrared Sauna

It is no secret that we live in a hectic world. Every day filled with challenges as you rush in different directions trying to meet obligations to work, family, and friends.

Perhaps you are one of the millions of people with chronic pain that robs you of energy and joy.

Wouldn’t you enjoy a little bit of space in your life to feel better and relaxed? Vacations are expensive and running away from home is impractical, but spending time in an infrared sauna could be the break you need.

Cultures all over the globe have used different forms of heat therapy to heal the body for centuries.

The technology behind infrared saunas (some varieties are far-infrared saunas and near-infrared saunas) makes it possible for you to experience this form of heat therapy in your own home or in the office of a medical professional. As opposed to traditional saunas they do not heat the air around you.

Infrared saunas use heat and light to relax your body. They emit infrared light waves, which are not visible, that warm your body directly from the inside out. It is worth noting that neonatal beds for newborns have utilized infrared heating elements to keep babies warm but not restrained.

The process of heating causes you to sweat and release body toxins. Numerous tests have shown infrared sauna treatments are safe to use.

According to Dr. Josh Axe, infrared saunas are helping many people suffering from pain feel better and helping users feel more relaxed.

As with all health treatments, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting infrared sauna treatments, especially if you have health conditions.

Benefits of Infrared Saunas

According to Mayoclinic Medical inquiries have looked at using infrared saunas as a therapeutic treatment for persistent health conditions, such as congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and rheumatoid arthritis, and have found indications that these ailments respond to the infrared sauna treatments. More studies are required to show the long-term benefits of the treatments.

Numerous studies regarding the health benefits of infrared saunas resulted in evidence that backs up the previously mentioned health benefits. A partial compilation of studies of humans made by the College of Family Physicians of Canada is available here, The works compiled offer evidence of the health benefits of infrared saunas particularly in the areas of cardiac and coronary medicine.

According to Dr. Frank Lipman from the blog Be Well, here are six- tangible benefits to using an infrared sauna:

1. Flush toxins- Toxins may flush out of your body when you sweat. An infrared sauna causes more sweat at a deeper body tissue level.
2. Blood pressure- The treatments increase perspiration which can increase blood circulation. This, in turn, can help to lower your blood pressure.
3. Reduce length and severity of colds or the flu- The radiant heat can increases circulation and the improved circulation may boost your body’s production of white blood cells which help combat illnesses.
4. Improve your skin- The improved circulation and blood flow may increase your body’s production of collagen which enhances skin’s luminosity. Additionally, your pores open when you perspire flushing out dead skin cells and dirt.
5. Weight loss- Your body releases excess water as the infrared sauna increases perspiration
6. Muscles will unwind- Improved circulation may reduce both muscle stiffness and inflammation; this helps muscles relax and eases the pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to a study published in Health Mate Sauna, clinical trials involving patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Arthritis demonstrated reductions in pain and stiffness after a 30-minute session in an infrared sauna.

Both groups reported pain reductions of 40%-60% all patients reported feeling well during the treatments and 88% of study participants concluded that they felt “comfortable” or “very comfortable” after their infrared sauna treatment. This is encouraging progress for non-drug-related treatment for those who suffer from these forms of arthritis.

Cardiovascular Health

In studies published in health.harvard.edu, Dr. Thomas Lee explains that the benefits of the sauna to the cardiovascular system are well documented. This includes lowering blood pressure. Dr. Lee, the founding editor of the Harvard Heart Letter and a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says that studies conducted on cardiac patients also point to lower death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Weight Loss

There is no doubt that infrared saunas will help you drop some weight. However, according to Gogo Lidz of NYMAG.com, it is mostly temporary water weight loss. The good news here is that there is evidence which shows because infrared saunas deeply penetrate skin layers, your metabolic rate can increase.

A report from Healthy Focus says that there is a connection between weight loss, infrared saunas and other healthy lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.  This makes sense especially given a metabolic rate increase.

Chronic Fatigue

Treatments for Chronic Fatigue sufferers are few and results vary greatly. However, infrared sauna treatment studies give patients with Chronic Fatigue reason to be hopeful. A study by Kagoshima University Faculty of Medicine in Japan tells of symptom relief from a very specific treatment regimen which includes infrared saunas.

This study, published in part in University Health News, explains that participants spend about 15 minutes in an infrared sauna. After the body temperature increases, they leave the sauna and rest for 30 minutes under warm blankets. The participant drinks an amount of water equal to the water weight lost in the sauna. This therapy takes place one time a day for three to five days a week over a span of two to six weeks.

The participants rated perceived fatigue level using a numerical rating scale before, during, and after therapy. In addition to fatigue level, the assessment included other troubling symptoms of Chronic Fatigue like pain level, anxiety, and depression. The study found that, on average, participant’s fatigue reduced from 6.7 to 4.8 on a ten point scale.

Additionally, participants reported significant improvement in their ability to engage in social and work activities as well as a reduction in anxiety, depression, and overall negative mood. No participants reported any negative effects during the course of the therapy.

Detox

A widely touted benefit of infrared saunas is detox. Medical professionals know that the body perspires as a way to naturally cool and detoxify itself. The increased amount of perspiration and the depth it comes from are part of what makes infrared sauna treatments a good way to achieve enhanced detox.

A study published in hindawi.com says that sweating is a very therapeutic process. Your skin is a chief organ of detoxification, which allows for the elimination of a variety of toxins. Numerous studies confirm that your levels of toxins reduce with therapy to induce sweating.

According to Lauren Berlingeri, co-founder of the Higher Dose, a personal state-of-the-art thermae, “Infrared is the real-deal detox.” Berlingeri says that many so-called cleanses don’t remove toxins from your body. However, infrared sauna treatments may pull environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and radiation that are stored deep within the body in fat cells.

Dangers

As with all therapies and treatments, infrared saunas receive criticisms as potential health dangers. However, according to Marc Seward of Healthy Focus no published study has found evidence of harmful effects resulting from infrared sauna treatments.

Livestrong.com published an assessment of the risks of infrared sauna treatments. . The results concluded that the risks of using an infrared sauna are similar to the risks of using a traditional sauna.

The chief risks are dehydration and overheating, both risks lessen in infrared saunas. Because of this, the elderly and children use all saunas under physician recommendation. Live Strong further advises avoiding alcohol before and during treatments, as this can increase overheating.

Another caution against use is for those with specific cardiac ailments including severe narrowing of the aortic valve, recent heart attack, and unstable angina. A final caution is that infrared saunas can potentially increase itching in those who have Eczema.

Types of Infrared Saunas

You can purchase an infrared sauna for your own home; this is a great idea if you anticipate frequent use.

They are available at a variety of price points and in styles ranging from single user pods to elaborate built-in wooden units which can seat several people at one time.

The infrared saunas come in two specific types; the far infrared sauna and the near infrared sauna. The main difference between them is the level of light wave concentration.

Far infrared saunas spread out their light waves, and near infrared saunas concentrate greater amounts of light waves in a smaller area for deeper penetration. Both types offer the same benefits and there is no full consensus as to which is better.

Infrared saunas live up to their hype and offer many health benefits for users. Experience an infrared sauna treatment to see for yourself how much better you feel.