Is an infrared Sauna really effective for pain relief?

Relief from arthritic joints and lower back pain is a common benefit for many people. Research has also shown infrared therapy to effectively manage all manner of muscular and skeletal aches and pains, and even improve posture.

 

One of the main reasons for this is its ability to dilate the capillaries in areas associated with pains, allowing oxygen-rich blood to bathe the area and flush away metabolic waste that builds up and contributes to the pain, soreness and stiffness, this also brings 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 muscles, so that they recover faster. Many people who have had trouble sleeping from pain and stress have found deep restful sleep through regular use.

 

Due to the deep penetrating heat from infrared, health professionals and Sports Medicine have used infrared lamps for many years to treat muscle and joint problems.

 

It is recommended not to use an infrared sauna for the first 48 hours of recuperation if your injury is a sprain type.

How does a sauna reduce stress and fatigue?

High levels of stress put continuous strain in the autonomic nervous system and are one of the elusive causes of many chronic diseases. Heat therapy relaxes the muscles and relieves muscular aches and pains. By facilitating the expansion of capillary vessels, thereby improving circulation, physical stress levels are reduced.

 

The infrared rays also clear away build up of lactic acid and carbon dioxide around the muscles, by removing the toxins muscle and joint stiffness disappears. Besides these physiological effects, a sauna session also contributes to stress reduction by stimulating the endorphins of the brain, and simply by providing a peaceful and relaxing environment away from it all.

How often should I use an infrared sauna?

This is entirely up to you. As with any form of exercise, it is important to build up a tolerance first. We recommend that you use a lower temperature (35℃) for about 15-20 minutes, initially 2-3 times in a week. Once conditioned, many people enjoy daily sessions of up to 35 to 40 minutes in a SaunaMed sauna. It is worth noting that you do not need to endure high temperatures to gain all the benefits from a SaunaMed sauna. Many of the positive effects are attained at the lower temperatures.

 

It is also important to maintain hydration. We would advise customers to drink water before, during and after sauna usage.

Is an infrared sauna safe for use by children?

A SaunaMed infrared sauna is safe for children to use but they should be under Adult supervision. The core body temperature of children rises much faster than adults. This occurs due to a higher metabolic rate per body mass, limited circulatory adaptation to increased cardiac demands and the inability to regulate body temperature by sweating.

 

It is advisable for all users to have a glass of water before and after their sauna session to keep the body sufficiently hydrated.

 

If the sauna is used at all for children under ten, it should be used for a short duration at a low temperature (30-40°C) and ensure fluids are replaced through drinking plenty of water.

 

Recent research has suggested that the use of an infrared sauna can have a positive impact on autism and ADD/ADHD. However further research is needed in this area and we would not recommend purchasing a sauna for this reason alone.

How does regular use of the Infrared Sauna reduce cellulite?

Cellulite is the condition in which there are stored unwanted fats in some parts of the body. This usually happens after puberty in both men and women but more particularly in women. This prevents many from wearing sexy outfits or even wearing swimsuits.  Cellulite looks like dimples and occurs usually at the buttocks and thighs. This is due to lack of exercise and unhealthy diet and the presence of other bad habits like smoking. Wearing of fitted clothes and high heeled shoes can help increase cellulite in the body also.

 

European beauty specialists regularly incorporate sessions in programmes to reduce cellulite. Because the radiant infrared heat penetrates three times as deeply as conventional saunas, it is significantly more effective at breaking down hard to move cellulite and promoting a more youthful, beautiful complexion.

What maintenance is involved with an infrared sauna?

Maintenance should not be an area of worry with a sauna. The amount of maintenance required for an infrared sauna is very little if any. The only real maintenance needed is to wipe down the walls and benches every so often with a mild solution of water and soap. Regular sauna maintenance is like maintaining any other room in your house. In actual fact saunas are easier to maintain than most bathrooms.

 

Owning a traditional sauna requires more maintenance than that of an infrared sauna.
The one thing to avoid in a sauna is chemical cleaners. The residues from these cleaners may be released when the sauna is heated. This can cause unpleasant smells and in extreme cases it may affect your breathing. Most of the maintenance needs to be done in a preventative manner. Since the goal of the sauna is to sweat out toxins, what you need to do is provide towels for people to sit on as providing the towels helps to maintain the wood.

 

The traditional sauna heats the air, whereas the infrared sauna heats only 20 percent of the air, this leaves 80 percent of the heat available to directly heat the occupants of the sauna. With the traditional sauna heating the air you may need to adjust the wooden door of the sauna due to swelling. This is not necessary with a SaunaMed sauna.

 

If you are thinking of purchasing a sauna for your home you need not worry about the possible maintenance involved. Saunas are one of the most carefree areas of your home.

Is an infrared sauna safe for use by the elderly?

The older we get, the more toxic we become unfortunately. Many anti-aging practitioners are now incorporating far infrared sauna therapy into their programs.

 

It is important to note that most patients over sixty are dehydrated to some degree and this should be addressed along with mineral deficiencies. Low temperatures are mandatory, you should never exceed 55℃ to keep risks to a minimum. Research suggested it is perfectly safe to begin at 30℃ and gradually increase the temperature.

 

As with any regular change to your lifestyle you should consult your health practitioner.

Is a Far Infrared Sauna good for weight loss and burning calories?

There is the obvious weight loss that is associated with burning calories. Most importantly, however, is the weight loss that occurs in those users with chemical toxicities. These are the people who have tried many diets with little or no results. Toxic chemicals are stored in the fat cells and the body will not let go of the fat unless the toxins are removed from the cells. The body very cleverly binds up these toxins in the fat to preserve other organs. Once the toxins are removed, the weight gain associated with high acidity/mal-absorption is also solved.

 

As you relax in the gentle heat of the infrared sauna, your body is actually hard at work, producing sweat, pumping blood – and burning calories. In a single sauna session you may burn as many as 600 calories, similar to exercising for 30 minutes.

Will an infrared sauna boost my immune system?

Combat the effects of daily stress and wake up your immune system. Deep radiant infrared heat results in a rising of your body’s temperature, identical to the body’s defence mechanism against bacteria, microbes, and infection. The beneficial side effect of this induced temperature increase is immune system improvement resulting from increased production of white blood cells (leukocytes) by your bone marrow and killer T-cells by your thymus. When toxins are present in our body blood circulation is blocked and cellular energy is impaired. The body’s immune system is inhibited, which makes it difficult for the body to fight disease.

 

Combined with the elimination of toxins and wastes from your body, your overall health and resistance to disease is noticeably improved so you feel and look better.

Is a Far Infrared Sauna good for detox?

Scientific studies have shown that a thirty minute session in an infrared sauna can result in the loss of toxins and stored fats in the body by up to six times the level a traditional sauna or exercise alone can achieve. Infrared is the only heat that penetrates deep enough into the tissues of the body to melt away cellulite and fats and the unique light wavelengths act to break down dangerous toxins and acids in the body. Compared to a session in a traditional sauna, you can perspire up to three times more, resulting in these fragmented impurities being safely eliminated by the body through perspiration. An added health benefit of using an infrared sauna is weight loss. Your body will use up to 600 calories in just 30 comfortable and relaxing minutes.