Infrared saunas are saunas that use infrared heat to heal and detoxify the body. According to the Holistic Naturopathic Center, infrared heat is light produced by the sun and the warmth felt as it penetrates the skin. The body also gives off infrared heat. Infrared heat saunas penetrate deeper into body tissues than traditional hot air saunas.
Types
There are many types of infrared saunas. They come in different shapes an sizes, and can be portable or stationary. They can be an enclosed and made of wood, a special tent with infrared lamps inside to heat and detoxify the body, an infrared blanket or even a dome.
Creighton University's Alternative Medicine department says "infrared lamp saunas use incandescent infrared heat lamps for heating. They emit mainly near infrared, some middle infrared and perhaps a tiny amount of far infrared energy. They also emit a small amount of red, orange and yellow visible light, providing warming and stimulating color therapy. Far infrared saunas use ceramic or metallic elements for heating that mainly emit in the far infrared range."
Function
Infrared saunas give off infrared heat which penetrates deep into the body for relaxation, stress relief, healing and detoxification.
Infrared heat is claimed to penetrate the body's tissues to a depth of 1.5 to 3 inches. Infrared sauna therapy may duplicate the healthy frequencies of our own cells, which causes toxins from the cells to be put into the blood stream for removal. These toxins are removed from our bodies in the form of sweat, urine and feces.
Benefits
The main benefit of an infrared sauna is the removal of toxins from the body via sweating. Creighton University's Alternative Medicine department says "The list of chemicals claimed to be removed from the body includes: Mercury, lead, copper, cadmium, manganese, sodium, chloride, arsenic, nickel, benzenes, street drugs, prescription drugs, anesthetics, cholesterol, urea, nicotine, sulfuric acid."
Other benefits of an infrared sauna include relaxation and stress relief, detoxification, weight loss, improved immune system function ind improved cardiovascular health.
Considerations
Creighton University's Alternative Medicine department recommends consulting your physician before using a sauna. The sauna should be used for 15 to 20 minutes, with a gradual increase to 40 minutes per day. It can be used twice a week, no more than twice in one day. Twelve ounces of water should be consumed for every 15 minutes spent in the sauna.
"Healing reactions" may also occur as toxic substances exit the body. They may be rashes, tastes, odors, fatigue, gastrointestinal changes or headaches.
Warning
Creighton University's Alternative Medicine department says, "At any point during your sauna if you do not feel well, leave immediately, especially if you feel weak, lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous. If symptoms do not resolve, seek medical attention!"
Use of the sauna is contraindicated for those with multiple sclerosis, lupus and hyperthyroidism, and for those who are pregnant, have artificial joints or silicone implants.
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