“Hot air baths” and makeshift saunas have been in use for centuries by cultures across the world, from the sweat lodge ceremonies of Native Americans to the Diocletian bath of Ancient Rome. While the practice of going to the sauna persists even today, modern technology has allowed for an option said to come with a practically endless list of benefits: enter the infrared sauna therapy.
~ Megan Patiry
Infrared sauna waves penetrate deep into your tissues to recharge at the cellular level through improved mitochondrial function, reduced pain, and detoxification through sweat.
The infrared waves themselves are invisible, falling within the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Also referred to as “far-infrared” waves (FIR), they can positively alter the body’s tissues by penetrating below the surface of the skin, generating mitochondrial activity and effectively circulating heat. Although long-term research is still being conducted, infrared sauna therapy is considered to be an affordable, safe, and extremely effective way to reduce pain, increase detoxification, improve the cardiovascular system, and more.
Of the endless list of benefits, none is more impactful than the power of “hormesis” as it relates to the use of an infrared sauna. Within the hormetic zone, there is generally a favorable biological response to low exposures to stressors, such as heat or cold.
Infrared Sauna creates a hormetic effect that results in the development of Heat shock proteins (HSP); a family of proteins that are produced by cells in response to exposure to conditions, such as heat, with benefits to the cardiovascular system and the immune system. Heat shock proteins are a chaperone for other protein and autophagy—which is the recycling of old cell parts.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Infrared sauna therapy differs from the ancient practice of using fire beneath a makeshift lodge to generate heat, and traditional saunas, which can get very hot, and instead utilizes infrared light waves to generate heat in the body. These waves penetrate deeper into the tissues without excessively raising the temperature of the sauna room, making this therapy ideal for people who can’t tolerate the higher levels of heat and humidity of traditional sauna rooms and so might miss out on the potential benefits.
Is Infrared Sauna Therapy Safe?
Some may question the safety of infrared sauna therapy due to infrared light’s ability to penetrate beneath the skin layer . While no serious adverse side effects have been reported in the use of the therapy, it is not recommended for young children or elderly adults who are prone to heat exhaustion and dehydration, nor is it recommended for those taking medications that impair their ability to sweat. Of course, be sure to talk to your doctor about any health conditions you may have before trying out infrared sauna therapy.
Our recommendation? Have a happy sweat.
At Regenus Center, Infrared Sauna is part of the first complete Red-Light Therapy protocol available. Whole body Photobiomodulation + Laser Therapy + Infrared Sauna.
General Disclaimer: These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This Website offers health and fitness advice. This advice is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice, treatment, or diagnosis of a healthcare professional. Always consult your physician before beginning any therapy program. You agree that you assume all responsibility when choosing to act on any of the health or fitness advice contained on this Website. We reserve the right to amend this policy at any time without any prior notice to you.
