What is Infrared Sauna?
The use of sweat bathing or “hot air baths” has been a common relaxation and detoxification strategy among people all over the world for centuries.
Modern saunas come with many more options, and the newest innovation in electric saunas is the use of far-infrared light to provide the same soothing and wellness-giving benefits as a traditional sauna.
What is the difference between a traditional sauna & IR Sauna?
A traditional sauna works by heating the air inside a closed room using a steam heater.
Infrared saunas work differently. Instead of using a heat source to warm the air, they use infrared lamps to warm your body directly. At MWB we use far infrared technology for its therapeutic benefits.
What is Far Infrared Therapy?
Infrared light is one of the invisible spectrums of light produced by the sun.
Infrared light is what makes your skin feel warm when you are out in the sun, and the skin easily absorbs these wavelengths.
This particular form of light has significant therapeutic benefits, which we will discuss in the section below.
Infrared can be divided into three main categories, which are near, mid, and far-infrared light.
The shortest wavelength, near-infrared, penetrates the deepest into your body to heat you from the inside out.
This wavelength boosts cellular repair and regeneration while helping your cells to produce more energy.
Mid-infrared waves boost circulation by improving vasodilation.
This type of infrared radiation also increases your overall metabolism and raises heart rate, which helps your cells get more oxygen.
Far-infrared rays (FIR) are most similar to the natural heat of your body and are readily captured by your cells. Far infrared heat generates a longer wavelength heat that warms your body directly, penetrating deep into the muscles allowing deep healing from the inside out.
What are the key benefits of IR Sauna Therapy?
Regular sauna therapy can promote relaxation of muscles and joints helping to reduce tension & stress in the body.
- Can balance your body’s cortisol levels
- Can increase dopamine levels which helps regulate your mood
- Stimulates endorphins which are responsible for feelings of happiness & wellbeing
- Detoxification of heavy metals
- Boosts Your Immune System
- Regularly using a sauna can improve the function of your immune system.
- Boost Immune System by raising your internal temperature & mimicking the effects of having a fever, which provides a little “workout” for your immune system.
- Reduces pain & inflammation – Far infrared rays increase your production of several critical immune cells, including t-cells and white blood cells.
- Improves blood circulation
- Can boost weight loss – IR Sauna burns calories, and single 30-minute sessions can burn as many as if you were rowing or jogging for the same amount of time.
- Reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue
- Improves allergy symptoms
Are there any precautions?
- If you take medications or have a medical condition, you should talk with your doctor about how FIR could affect you.
- If you have a history of heart problems, using a sauna can cause problems, so discuss this with your doctor.
- Saunas can cause fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for those with a heart condition.
- If you are prone to overheating or heat exhaustion, you should limit your time in the infrared sauna.
- Everyone should drink water before and after using any type of sauna to remain sufficiently hydrated.
- You should not use an infrared sauna if you have been drinking alcohol or if you have a fever or feel sick.
- While using the sauna, you may feel lightheaded. Be sure to move slowly and carefully to leave the sauna, then sit down again once you are outside the room.
Testimonial
“I started using the IR sauna after I was diagnosed with Ross River Fever. I felt that it really fast tracked my recovery by boosting my immune system. I sauna regularly to help to manage stress as it keeps all of my aches & pains at bay”. Belinda