INFRARED SAUNA
What is Infrared Sauna?
Sauna use is believed to date back as far as 7,000 BC and since then sauna therapy around the world has evolved scientifically, socially, and spiritually. Variations of saunas continue to be used today for physical therapy, massage and wellness clinics, spas, and even for personal use at home throughout the world.
The infrared saunas at Maynard Clinic of Acupuncture in South Burlington use infrared emitters at varying wavelengths, without added humidity, promoting heat generation within the body, increasing the body’s core temperature, resulting in a multitude of health benefits. The heating of the body versus heating of the air surrounding the body results in deeper sweat, increased production of white blood cells, and better detoxification than that of a traditional steam sauna.
3 Types Of Infrared Wavelengths
There are 3 main types of infrared wavelengths generated in infrared saunas, including near infrared, mid infrared, and far infrared.
Near infrared wavelengths penetrate tissues the deepest, as it’s not absorbed by the water in your body, increasing your core body temperature the most.
Mid infrared wavelengths are partially absorbed by the water molecules in your body, which promotes the increase in blood flow and temporarily elevates heart rate and metabolism.
And far infrared wavelengths are most often associated with increased energy and strengthening as they are naturally put off by your body and are easily absorbed by water molecules throughout our tissues.
How Infrared Saunas Work
The infrared wavelengths created by infrared saunas are similar to those created by the sun, without the harmful effect of UV rays. The wavelengths penetrate the skin and muscles to create heat, creating therapeutic effects, including increased circulation and blood flow to muscles delivering more concentrated oxygen throughout your body.
The penetrating heat also increases core body temperature, making your body respond with a “false fever” and causing your immune system to increase production of white blood cells. The increase in white blood cells reduces inflammation and swelling and strengthens your body’s ability to fight off infections and increases circulation, targeting toxins stored in fat cells and stimulating sweat glands, which causes an elimination and decrease in built-up toxins in the body.
Take advantage of the natural health benefits infrared sauna use has to offer and book a session at Maynard Clinic of Acupuncture in South Burlington today!
Health Benefits of Infrared Sauna
- Decrease in headaches, inflammation, and joint pain
- Aid in healthy weight loss
- Detoxification and elimination of heavy metals and other organic and inorganic pollutants
- Natural pore cleansing and blemish reduction
- Boost immune system
- Decreased risk high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiac events
- Long-lasting antidepressant effects
- Stress management, relaxation, and improved sleep
Regular sauna bathing is a simple, self-directed treatment that is effective for reducing headache pain and intensity in chronic tension-type headaches.’ – ‘Efficacy of regular sauna bathing for chronic tension-type headache: a randomized controlled study.’
Kanji, G. et al. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, February 2015.
Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery For Athletes
Infrared sauna use has been shown to temporarily increase blood flow to muscles, easing inflammation and offering relief from symptoms linked to chronic pain. One study reported a nearly 70% drop in pain levels in patients after their first session of infrared sauna therapy. Longer term studies found patients with rheumatoid arthritis saw a 40% improvement in pain and stiffness after only four weeks of 30-minute sauna sessions twice weekly.
In addition to chronic pain treatment, hyperthermic conditioning linked to long term infrared sauna use has been shown to increase athletic endurance. The infrared sauna boosts your cardiovascular, immune, and lymphatic systems to aid in detoxification giving you a better, more purifying workout. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, consistent sauna use has a similar effect on your cardiovascular system as moderate exercise or running, making it a great, safe alternative for people unable to exercise due to health restrictions, weight, and even heart, renal, and liver diseases. Long term sauna use can also prevent muscle atrophy, increase growth of new brain cells, and improve memory and learning.
Participants who used the sauna regularly has a greater loss in body fat. Participants measured up to a 4% drop in body fat over the four months. The change in body fat was confirmed by measurements of serum glucose levels.’ ‘Study to Measure the Effects of Sauna use on Body Temperature, Physiologic Measures, and Long-term Body Weight Changes.’ McLeod, Kenneth. Binghamton University, SUNY. https://infraredsauna.com/weightlossstudy.pdf
Does it work for weight loss?
If your new year’s resolution includes getting into better shape or losing weight, another benefit of sauna use is increased weight loss and body fat reduction as proven with a study conducted at Binghamton University. Participants with regular sauna use had a greater loss in body fat, measuring up to a 4% drop over the 4-month study. Interestingly, the participants that used the infrared saunas later in the day or evening hours, had a greater loss in body fat than those that used the saunas in the morning hours. In the second phase of the study, participants who used the infrared sauna on average five times a week totaled a 4% loss in body in just two months as opposed to 4 months as in the first phase of the study.
How does it help stress?
The penetrating heat from infrared wavelengths in infrared saunas has been shown to have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, putting you into a “rest and digest” state, allowing your body to relax and heal. A survey of regular sauna users shows sauna use ranging from five to fifteen times per month resulted in higher mental health and wellbeing ratings. The results were reinforced by another study reported in the International Journal of Hyperthermia, in which participants shared continued reductions in depression and depressive symptoms up to six weeks after just one session of infrared sauna therapy.
Can it help boost your immune system?
Not only has infrared sauna use been linked to improved mental health, it also has a substantial effect on your immune system. A lot of bacteria and viruses are unable to survive body temperatures above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and since sauna use aids in white blood cell production, improves circulation, and releases stored toxins, it is a natural option to help avoid a variety of flus and colds, especially in the winter months in Vermont. In addition to fighting off viruses, increases in core body temperature to the point of inducing sweating helps your cells release and eliminate stored toxins and heavy metals, like lead, mercury, alcohol, nicotine, and other harmful toxins; so your immune system has less to combat.
Whether you want to enhance your exercise routine, expand on your existing health plan, explore additional treatments for depression, or just want to take time out of your day to relax and destress, even the science says regular infrared sauna use is one of the best alternative ways to naturally aid existing health conditions, decrease future health risks, and improve overall health and well-being!
Book your infrared sauna session with Maynard Clinic of Acupuncture in South Burlington today!