“Hot steam baths” as well as makeshift saunas have been utilized throughout the ages by different cultures around the globe, from the sweat lodge rituals from 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 of a method that is said to offer an unlimited list of benefits. Infrared sauna therapies.
Infrared sauna therapy is distinct from the traditional method of burning a fire under a temporary lodge to produce warmth, instead, it utilizes infrared light waves to create warmth within the body. The waves penetrate deeper into the tissues, without elevating the temperature of the sauna space which makes this treatment ideal for those who aren’t able to handle the extreme humidity and heat of traditional sauna rooms , and consequently miss the benefits that could be gained.
The infrared wavelengths themselves are invisibly invisible, falling into the electromagnetic spectrum. They are also known by the name of “far-infrared” wave (FIR) They are able to positively alter the structure of tissues in the body by penetrating beneath the skin’s surface creating mitochondrial activity and efficiently circulating heat.
Although research on long-term effects is still being conducted Infrared sauna therapy is thought to be affordable, safe, and efficient method to ease discomfort, boost detoxification, boost heart health and much more.
How much more? Let’s examine how infrared saunas can do much more to your health than just getting your sweat on:
1. Better Skin Tone
Infrared sauna therapy increases the size of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow throughout your body. The improved circulation does not just help eliminate the waste 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 tight) Infrared sauna therapy is beneficial to improve the tone of your skin and decrease wrinkles.
2. Eliminates Toxins
Immune systems of the human body are battling against a myriad of toxins our ancestors would never have thought of such as pesticides as well as toxic metals, PCBs within plastics pollution from the environment and GMOs (genetically engineered organisms). In combination with a poor diet can set the stage for the accumulation of toxins and the possibility of a weakening of our immune system.
The good news is that infrared sauna Sydney treatments can provide your body an additional push to flush out the poisons. This is accomplished by sweating, which has been demonstrated in numerous studies to boost elimination and decrease the levels of toxins within the body.
3. Weight Loss
It is evident that having a break in an infrared sauna could help in losing weight. In a study of overweight adults, researchers observed that “… the body’s fat and weight significantly diminished after two weeks of infrared sauna therapy.” Researchers speculate that this could be due to an increase in cardiovascular rate as well as the body’s efforts (i.e. using calories) to chill itself.
In that same research, subjects who were at a normal weight but with an appetite loss experienced “increased calories consumed and increased eating behavior.” This indicates that infrared sauna therapy could serve as a diet and weight “balancer” by raising the levels of ghrelin (the food hormone) in people with low appetite and keeping levels of ghrelin even when obese individuals.
4. Improves the Cardiovascular Function
Infrared sauna therapy has been found to be beneficial for the heart. The results have been to be so effective that studies have been conducted that have linked the infrared sauna to a decreased risk of sudden death from cardiac and the fatal heart attack, death from cardiovascular disease, and all-cause death.
The effects are due to the increase in blood flow, heart rate and improved blood pressure for patients receiving saunas that use infrared light. In a fascinating study, researchers compared heart output that patients feel in the sauna with a strenuous stroll.
5. Pain Relief
Another benefit to infrared therapy for stress is the capacity to ease chronic pain without the adverse effect of many medication for pain. As an example, research conducted out from the Netherlands discovered that patients suffering from ankylosing and rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with infrared sauna for four weeks saw a decrease in stiffness, pain, and fatigue after the treatment. Researchers believe that these benefits stemmed from lower levels of inflammation that lessen friction between joints, which causes chronic pain.
6. Wound Healing
The infrared therapy has also the amazing capacity to speed up the healing process for wounds. Particularly, research from NASA has proven that infrared light dramatically increases cell growth and regeneration due to mitochondria easily taking infrared light.
7. Increases Circulation
Infrared sauna therapy has been shown to increase circulation. It can provide a wide range of advantages, from improved skin tone (as mentioned earlier) to lower blood pressure. In fact, research has shown that the benefits of infrared sauna therapy are significant. It improves the function of blood vessels in diabetics and smokers with high cholesterol.
8. Combats Chronic Fatigue
A recent study revealed the fact that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can cause extreme fatigue that has no specific reason, can be greatly eased by saunas that use infrared light. The study included CFS patients who sat in 60degC (140degF) sauna for 15 minutes. They were then and then a bed rest in a blanket for 30 minutes in an isolated room. The study was conducted daily 5 days per week for a period time of 4 weeks.
The result? The results? Negative mood, anxiety and depression levels dramatically improved following the treatment and fatigue scores on a scale ranging from 1 to 10 ranging between 6.7 and 4.8. While there isn’t an exact explanation for the reason why infrared sauna therapy is beneficial to CFS patients, research suggests it could be due its ability to lower the effects of oxidative stress and increase cardiac output as well as improve cardiac output. Both are linked to CFS.
It’s important to remember that the research team states that patients didn’t feel any effects of the treatment however, they did notice less fatigue after 4 weeks. If you’re thinking of in undergoing an infrared sauna treatment to treat fatigue, remember that you might need to go through a whole month of treatment to truly experience the effects. In reality, less than one hour per each day over four weeks to alleviate fatigue is an effective treatment!
Do you think Infrared Sauna Therapy safe?
Some might question the security of the infrared sauna treatment because of the ability of infrared light to penetrate below skin layers. Although no significant adverse results have been observed with regard to the treatment, it’s not recommended for children and older people who are at risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, as well as people taking medication that affects their sweating ability. It is important to consult your physician regarding any medical conditions that you may be suffering from prior to taking on the infrared sauna.
In addition to exercise Who would have thought that sweating out could bring such incredible health benefits? All in all, sauna therapy is beneficial for almost everyone, from those seeking to detox every month to people seeking alternative solutions to various issues.