Far infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas in that they heat your body directly instead of heating the air around you. This means that, for many people, infrared saunas are more comfortable to use as the temperature within the sauna cabinet is significantly lower--110 to 130 Fahrenheit compared to 180 to 235 Fahrenheit. There are a number of benefits to be gained from using an infrared sauna.
Increased Circulation
As your body is heated by the infrared rays, your blood vessels expand and blood flow increases---a phenomenon called vasodilation. The heat causes your heart rate to rise and, as the capillaries, arteries and veins open up, blood flow increases to all areas of the body including your extremities i.e. hands and feet. Increased circulation and vasodilation are also linked to a post-sauna reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Muscle Relaxation
Infrared radiation penetrates to a depth of around 1.5 inches and warms your muscles directly. Combined with the increase in circulation, heating the muscles in this way encourages the release of tension and promotes muscle relaxation. This is particularly useful for people suffering from poor posture, sports injuries, back pain and arthritic conditions.
Stress Relief
Using infrared saunas cause the release of endorphins into your blood stream. Endorphins are your body's natural "feel good" hormones and are chemically similar to morphine. Endorphins elevate your mood, increase feelings of well being and are also nature's pain killers. The combination of muscle relaxation and endorphin production leads to a reported reduction in stress levels in many sauna users.
Increased Joint Mobility
Infrared saunas encourage the production of synovial fluid within your joint spaces. Your body uses synovial fluid to lubricate your joints and keep the articular surfaces---called hyaline cartilage---healthy. Combined with muscular relaxation, well lubricated joints will move more easily, be less painful and be able to move through a greater range of movement. This is particularly beneficial if you suffer osteoarthritis or general joint stiffness.
Detoxification
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and one of its functions is excretion of waste products. Sweating allows you to rid your body of a variety of toxins including heavy metals and chemicals. Infrared sauna use encourages significant amounts of perspiration which increases the amount of waste products excreted through the skin resulting in detoxification of your body. Sweat lost should be replaced by drinking plenty of water during and after using a sauna to avoid dehydration.
References
- "Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing"; Lawrence Wilson; 2004
- "The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy"; Nina Silver; 2003
- "Sauna: Hottest Way to Good Health"; Giselle Roeder; 2002
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