Sauna therapy is an old tradition dating back 10,000 years, originating in Finland. Back then, a sauna, which means “bath” or “bathhouse,” consisted of a large hole in the ground where stones were heated by a fireplace and then doused with water to create steam and heat.
Sauna technology has come a long way since then, and one of the most popular forms of this ancient practice is infrared sauna therapy.
What is an infrared sauna?
Rather than using a heater or heated rocks to heat the air around you, infrared saunas use infrared light to heat your body directly. The infrared heat penetrates your skin and is absorbed by your body. While traditional sauna temperatures range from 150° - 195°, infrared saunas are slightly less hot, ranging from 120° - 140°. And while traditional saunas typically require shorter, 15 - 20 minute sessions, infrared saunas can last up for 45 minutes.
The history of the infrared sauna
The infrared sauna has been around since the 1960s, though who invented it is murky. Dr. Tadashi Ishikawa has been credited with inventing it, as are Finnish scientists. But the most popular theory is that John Harvey Kellogg, the Kellogg’s cereal founder, created the earliest prototype. Kellogg dedicated his life to holistic healing and ways to innovate these practices. He recognized that infrared light had important health benefits, and that its attributes could be applied to traditional sauna therapy.
No matter who invented it, the infrared sauna was created to provide a more efficient heating process and is more compatible for people who have trouble tolerating high heat.
The science behind infrared saunas
Infrared light is all around us. It’s how the sun warms the earth. Infrared light, also called electromagnetic radiation, has a longer wavelength than the light visible to the human eye, but can be detected using special cameras.
There are three types of infrared light:
Near infrared (NIR)
Mid infrared (MIR)
Far Infrared (FIR)
These three types of infrared affect the body differently. While near infrared and mid infrared are absorbed by the skin and hemoglobin, far infrared is absorbed by water only. Far infrared heat is effective for sauna therapy because it’s safe and interacts with the body efficiently, allowing for soothing heat penetration and to increase your core body temperature without overly heating the air around you. The heat you feel is similar to the warmth you feel when the sun is on your face, allowing you to experience intense sweating at lower temperatures rather than the higher temperatures from a traditional sauna. This means that your sauna session is more comfortable, making it more accessible for just about anyone.
Infrared heat is safe. Only 20 percent of the energy from infrared heat is used to heat the air, which means that the remaining 80 percent heats your body. Because infrared heat is lower than a traditional sauna, it offers greater therapeutic benefits. And while traditional saunas may leave you feeling depleted, infrared saunas leave you feeling invigorated.
What are the health benefits of an infrared sauna?
Besides treating dementia and menopause, the health benefits of infrared sauna include:
Reducing stress
One of the biggest health benefits of infrared sauna is its ability to reduce stress by inducing hormesis in our bodies, which triggers our ability to adapt to and protect against stress. When homeostasis is activated, new cells grow, wounds heal, and muscles repair themselves, which all increase our resistance to stress.
Alleviating anxiety
Infrared heat produces a much more gentle and therapeutic heat than traditional saunas, which provides a much more relaxing experience. Because of the wavelengths of the infrared light, our body’s skin tissue absorbs it much more easily because of our everyday exposure to the sun. It’s like getting a healthy dose of sunshine, which gives us Vitamin D, supports circadian rhythms, and increases the production of mood-boosting hormones that reduce anxiety and allow us to feel more relaxed.
Physical recovery
As we sweat from the infrared light heating our bodies, our blood circulation increases, delivering the essential nutrients much faster, and removing the waste products in our soft tissue. Infrared sauna therapy can cause you to feel less sore and more flexible, and it increases neuromuscular performance and recovery rates by rebuilding muscles at the cellular level.
Better sleep
Because infrared saunas can help reduce stress and anxiety by relaxing the mind through the release of endorphins, it can be beneficial for people who suffer from irregular sleep patterns.
Helps fight germs and viruses
Visiting an infrared sauna regularly can increase the production of white blood cells, which improves the body’s immune response to fight germs and viruses.
Offers pain relief
Regular infrared sauna treatments can help with pain relief related to chronic medical conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia and can also help people who experience body stiffness.
Improving circulation
By making regular infrared sauna visits, you can improve the blood flow through your body. The heat dilates your blood vessels, reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. It also allows oxygen and nutrients to circulate through your body more easily, boosting your overall health and well-being.
Tips for using an infrared sauna
Start slowly by keeping your sessions short; 15-20 minutes at 110°, then build from there.
Go regularly. This all depends, of course, on your health goals and how your body responds. For overall health and wellness, use an infrared sauna 3 - 4 times a week. For specific goals like managing pain and improving muscle recovery, use it 5 - 7 times a week.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water because the sweat that pours out of your body during a sauna session can leave you feeling dehydrated. Here at Embody, we always provide water for you, but feel free to bring your own.
Rinse off afterward to wash off any toxins you sweated out before they can be reabsorbed through your skin. We offer showers for your convenience.
Consider starting a regular sauna routine at Embody. Our oversized infrared saunas have chromatherapy lighting, which uses colored light therapy to enhance your sauna experience. This practice is based on the theory that different colors can affect your body and mind in different ways, and that each color has a specific vibration frequency associated with it. Ask our retail associate to set the lighting to the color that fits your mood that day! Our infrared saunas are constructed with all-wood interiors, and include surround-sound speakers that deliver soothing spa music. Our sauna memberships offer an affordable way to incorporate infrared treatments into your weekly health practices. See the options HERE.
Not sure which option is best for you? You can book your first sauna experience with us online HERE, and one of our knowledgeable staff will help you decide when you come in. We look forward to hosting you at Embody!
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