Do you have aches and pains? Feeling stressed? Looking for relief from specific health issues? An infrared sauna could be just what you need.
Because of the way infrared saunas work, they’re believed to deliver even greater health benefits than traditional saunas.
Keep reading to learn the top 10 health benefits of infrared sauna therapy and how it can help you feel healthier, happier, more energised and alive.
Heat has long been known to improve a vast array of musculoskeletal ailments.
The ability of infrared heat to penetrate up to 50mm into our bodies means it can get right into joints and provide pain-relieving benefits.
The heat from infrared saunas has been known to work on inflamed or injured joints and muscles to alleviate muscle spasms, joint stiffness, sprains and back pain.
Additionally, increased blood circulation removes metabolic waste and delivers oxygen-rich blood to muscles, helping them recover faster.
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of any wellness plan. There are many studies showing a correlation between sauna use and weight loss.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of a sauna imparts a similar boost on the cardiovascular system as running.
As you relax in the gentle infrared heat, your body is hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood and burning calories.
As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart works harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism will burn calories.
Tests have shown that for each gram or millilitre of sweat a body produces, it burns 0.586 of a calorie. This means that if you sweat 1 litre or 1 kg of sweat, you will burn 586 calories, the same as a brisk 1-hour walk.
It is possible to produce 1 litre of sweat during a Vortex Infrared sauna session. What better, or more relaxing way to burn calories?
Numerous studies show that stress can shorten the average lifespan and increase the risk of chronic illness.
Stress relief is one of the greatest benefits of using an infrared sauna.
The heat penetrates deep into muscle tissues and causes your body to completely relax. It can help to ease pains and aches that are bothering you, further adding to the stress relief.
Infrared saunas have also been shown to affect the autonomic nervous system putting you in the parasympathetic (rest and digest) state allowing your body to heal.
High blood pressure has been shown to lead to an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular illnesses.
Studies have shown that use of an infrared sauna has lowered blood pressure in some people.
As the body is heated, the heart rate increases and capillaries under the skin dilate to dissipate the excess heat. This natural reaction gives a great low-intensity workout for your circulatory and cardiovascular system.
Our skin is the largest organ we have. The body’s natural way to clear pores and clean the skin is to sweat.
Beauty therapists often use a steam machine to help clear pores but for most, it is impractical to visit a beauty therapist on a daily basis. You can achieve the same effects and more through daily use of an infrared sauna.
Sweat literally cleans and clears the skin from within. Saunas open your pores and allow your whole body to sweat them clean. In this way, infrared saunas can help give you the younger, healthier-looking skin we all desire.
Cellulite is the dimpled-looking skin that commonly occurs in the thigh region. It forms when fatty tissue deep in the skin pushes up against connective tissue.
There is a direct link between the slowing of metabolic rates and the storage of toxins in fat cells.
Infrared sauna use can increase heart rate and localised blood circulation, which essentially reverses the accumulation of liquids in the fat cells which reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Since infrared heat penetrates deeper than heat from conventional steam saunas, it is significantly more effective at reducing cellulite. Learn more about the top difference between infrared and steam saunas.
One of the best things about an infrared sauna is its ability to increase your blood circulation and stimulate the sweat glands, releasing built-up toxins in the body.
Infrared sauna detox benefits are well known. By tuning the wavelength of heat to that of our body, not only does the heat penetrate further, but it also has an enhanced detoxifying effect.
Daily sessions in an infrared sauna increase blood circulation and stimulate sweat glands, this naturally releases the built-up toxins within the body.
We all understand that a strong immune system is vital in defending against viruses and bacteria, as well as naturally occurring cancer cells.
Deep heating from infrared saunas raises the body's core temperature, this creates an artificial fever and this is the body's natural way of strengthening the immune system.
The concept of heat therapy (also known as Hyperthermia) to improve the immune system and treat some illnesses, was first published by Hypocrites around 400 BC.
The American Cancer Society has investigated the use of hyperthermia for the treatment of cancer but although it has concluded that more research in this area is needed, infrared therapy can (in most cases) assist in improving immune systems and recovery times.
Many rheumatic conditions respond very well to heat so infrared sauna sessions can offer benefits to these forms of arthritis.
Radiant heat can also be effective in the treatment of sprains, neuralgia, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness and many other muscular-skeletal ailments. Aches and soreness associated with ageing can be reduced or eliminated.
A daily session in an infrared sauna can give significant relief to sufferers of these conditions.
An infrared sauna can be an incredible tool to help take your training to the next level. It can help you train harder, feel better, and perform better.
There are many health benefits to using a sauna after a workout. Muscle soreness, fatigue, and drops in performance are all issues an infrared sauna can help improve.
While many people use saunas as part of a healthy lifestyle, what’s best for you may not be what’s best for someone else.
We do not recommend using a sauna before a gym or fitness workout as it can lead to a number of risks during your workout such as relaxed muscles, lower energy, dehydration and overheating.
Additionally, certain health conditions are not compatible with saunas or steam rooms. As a rule, we always recommend that you consult with your medical practitioner before buying any sauna.
The benefits of infrared therapy have been researched for many years worldwide.
You can see a list of studies, articles and clinical trials that focus on infrared therapy in this detailed article.
Now that you know all about their wonderful benefits, we hope you have a better idea how an infrared sauna can help your mind, body and soul.
To learn more about infrared saunas and all their wonderful health benefits, contact us now. or visit your nearest Spa World store.
With over 30 years in the industry, we're experts in spas, swim spas and saunas and are passionate about health and wellness. We back every product we sell with industry-leading warranties and offer a ‘no-risk’, 60-day money-back guarantee.
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Disclaimer
The health information contained in this article is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. If you have any concerns about your current health or wellbeing, please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice.
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