Fantastic article found on Chiropractic Economics
Far, middle and near-infrared wavelengths are all part of the broad infrared healing wavelength spectrum.
These wavelengths penetrate soft tissue up to an inch and a half, warming the body and opening blood vessels in a process called “vasodilation.”
Infrared is so safe it is regularly used in hospitals to keep newborn babies warm. Infrared and infrared saunas have been researched and studied for decades. Doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists use infrared every day in clinics and hospitals around the world to ameliorate pain, heal skin conditions, increase flexibility and generally help heal the body.
There are also specific hospital insurance billing codes for infrared because of the research that underpins the importance of this therapy for patients.
Infrared saunas also help with:
- Detoxification
- Stress and fatigue
- Muscle aches, arthritis, and joint relief
- Weight loss and calorie burning
- Increased metabolism
- Immune system support
- Skin conditions
- Heart health
- Appearance of cellulite
- Diabetes support
1. Detoxification
Infrared saunas can help increase blood circulation and stimulate the sweat glands, releasing built-up toxins in the body.
Daily sauna sweating can help detoxify the body as it releases heavy metals (lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium) as well as alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid and other organic and inorganic compounds.
It has been known for decades that sweating is a wonderful way to get rid of stored chemicals.1
Infrared saunas are also used at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Beth Israel Hospital in New York, and the Acadia Cancer Institute in Germany.
2. Stress and fatigue reduction
Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna will help one feel relaxed, rejuvenated and renewed.
Many infrared sauna customers comment on how much they look forward to their sauna session. An infrared sauna sanctuary provides a great time to relax. It’s like having a day spa in the home that’s open all the time.
Infrared saunas have been shown to affect the autonomic nervous system by putting the user in the parasympathetic (rest and digest) state, allowing the body to heal and restore itself.2
3. Muscle aches, arthritis and joint pain
Too much of anything can take its toll, including exercise. Infrared saunas can help relieve inflammation, stiffness and soreness by increasing blood circulation and allowing the deep, penetrating infrared heat to relax muscles and carry off metabolic waste products, while delivering oxygen-rich blood to the muscles for a faster recovery.
Infrared helps warm the muscles for greater flexibility and range of motion, while relieving muscle tension and pain.
Studies have also shown that time spent in an infrared sauna can bring relief from different forms of arthritis.3Radiant heat has been effective in the treatment of sprains, neuralgia, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness and many other musculoskeletal ailments. Much of the normal stiffness, aches and pains that come with aging can be lessened with regular sauna usage.
4. Weight loss and increased metabolism
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association has stated that regular use of an infrared sauna imparts a similar boost to the cardiovascular system as running. While relaxing in the gentle infrared heat, the body is producing sweat, pumping blood and burning calories.
This is called a “passive aerobic workout,” because although the body is receiving all these benefits, it is not being stressed in the same way as a normal workout. The body is more relaxed and is in parasympathetic mode during that time.
As the body increases sweat production to cool itself, the heart works harder to pump blood while boosting circulation. This increase in metabolism is also burning more calories.
A 30-minute infrared sauna session can burn somewhere between 300–800 calories.4
5. Immune system support
The penetrating infrared wavelengths from infrared saunas raises the core body temperature, inducing an artificial fever. A fever is the body’s mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response, as seen in the case of infection.
This enhances the immune system, and combined with the improved elimination of toxins and wastes via intense sweating, it can increase overall health and resistance to disease.5
6. Skin conditions
The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes in a sauna carries off deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and clean. Increased circulation draws the skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface for a natural glow.
Many clients report improved skin tone, color, elasticity and texture. Increased blood circulation has also been shown to help improve acne, eczema, psoriasis, and aid wound healing with reduced scarring.6
7. Heart health
The Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver found that infrared sauna therapy can help keep blood pressure within healthy levels, lower cholesterol, reduce chronic pain and be of therapeutic value to patients with chronic congestive heart disease (CHD).
A study published in the Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society showed that infrared sauna therapy reduced heart arrhythmias and the symptoms of chronic heart failure in patients with cardiovascular disease.7
8. Appearance of cellulite
Cellulite refers to superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or “orange-peel” skin. It appears in 90 percent of post-adolescent women and is rarely seen in men.
Common, but not exclusive, areas where cellulite is found are the buttocks, thighs, and the abdomen. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to obesity, and the appearance of cellulite is not always reduced by weight loss.
Because the far infrared radiant heat of a sauna warms three times as deep as conventional saunas, it is significantly more effective at reducing cellulite. There is a link between the slowing of metabolic rates and the storage of toxins in fat cells.
Sauna use and far infrared heat increases heart rate and localized blood circulation, which essentially reverses the above-mentioned trends toward the accumulation of liquids in the fat cells to reduce the appearance of cellulite.8
9. Diabetes support
Much has been written about how infrared sauna therapy can aid and support those managing diabetes, because it helps decrease multiple side effects.9
These activities include:
- Toxin elimination
- Improved circulation
- Internal organ cleanse
- Infrared resonance
Extremely well written article found at https://www.chiroeco.com/health-benefits-of-infrared-saunas/
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