The most common use that you can find in infrared sauna use is that of portable saunas. These portable saunas use the infrared rays to heat the water that is placed in the infrared sauna. Once the sauna is heat to the optimum heat the internal reflecting panels that are placed around the sauna will make sure that your entire body from the neck down is enveloped by hot air. This infrared heat that is produced in the infrared sauna will cause your body to sweat quite a lot. The sweating that is produced will bring many health benefits to you. Among these benefits is that of opening your pores so that your blood circulation flows freely through the body. You will also see that your skin is tightening considerably as the various heavy metals and other foreign substance that have accumulated in the skin are washed out of your body via the sweat. The other benefit to your health that you will find as a result of the infrared sauna is that of the calories are burned as if you had gone through a cardiac workout. Since the infrared sauna heats to a constant degree you will find that even though you are sweating profusely your body is not burning up as opposed the traditional sauna rooms. While these infrared saunas are much safer for your body compared to the normal sauna you should still consult a doctor before you start using any saunas. You can buy these infrared saunas from different companies that produce state of the art saunas like that of an infrared sauna. When you look for these companies you should see if you can find brochures that detail how these infrared saunas work. You will also need to find a good deal for the type of infrared sauna that catches your eye. As there are different types of infrared saunas you will need to look carefully at these many products and choose a sauna that you will feel comfortable in. Infrared saunas are great places for anyone to relax and let the soothing infrared rays seep into your skin and unravel the knots of the day’s work.
I first started to looking into purchasing a far infrared sauna about six months ago, when both myself and my boyfriend were fed up with our constantly aching necks and backs from sitting at our desks at our respective office jobs all of the time. Not only that, I wanted a place that was an oasis from the hectic days during the work week, and somewhere that I could unwind and enjoy an enveloping warmth. Dry heat has always been relaxing and soothing to me, especially since I suffer from asthma. There's just something about a penetrating heat, like the kind you get from sitting in the sun, and not surprisingly, the kind that an infrared sauna gives off, that makes you feel deeply relaxed and tranquil. This is precisely what we wanted out of a sauna, and so I began my search for the perfect infrared sauna. We ended up getting a four person unit installed in our basement about 4 weeks ago, and ever since it's been there, we've been in it every single night without fail. I can't even begin to describe the changes in my health and mental clarity that have resulted since then. First of all, the benefits the heat offers to anyone who has problems with knotted, sore muscles frequently are almost priceless, since it offers immediate relief, and even extended relief into your next day. Radiant heat, the type that is used in this type of sauna bath, is different from the kind of heat the is emanated from a traditional sauna, in that it actually heats the body directly rather than just heating the air around the body. Because it heats the body directly, it can penetrate up to one to two inches into the tissue, just like the heat of the natural sun, and it warms the muscles and tissues below the surface, creating more circulation and soothing sore muscles, also reducing lactic acid build up. I noticed from the first evening I used ours that my muscles were almost instantly soothed, and my body almost went limp as soon as I hit the dry heat. I also happen to not have the best circulation, so for me it feels wonderful to heat my extremities like my toes and fingers and get the blood flowing and pumping just as though I'd worked out. I don't think that a sauna should be used as a replacement for exercise, but I can see why it may be used in place of physical activity for people who can't move around very easily due to physical limitations. Not only is it excellent in it's physical benefits, but it also helps immensely with stress and anxiety. I swear, just by hopping in for a half hour to forty minutes makes me feel happy, almost like a new woman. There is some research suggesting that the radiant heat may help the body produce endorphins, and while I can't confirm how true that is, I can certainly say it applies in my situation. So, now that I've obviously sung the praises of what our new addition has done for my muscle soreness, let me tell you what else I've noticed since I've been using it. I've noticed that my skin looks pristine. I've had issues with acne in the past, and still do struggle with the occasional blemish from time to time even being in my thirties today, and since I've been using this sauna, my skin has looked clear and toned, and I've even received several complements that it looks smoother and more radiant. That is a benefit that I was only half expecting, but believe me, when you're dealing with skin problems your whole life, from acne to wrinkles, it's exhilarating to see your skin look so good. Some of the health benefits of the infrared sauna that I've read extensively about but have not had enough time to fully gauge yet due to only using it for a few weeks is that you rarely will get sick when using this since it produces a sort of "artificial fever" that kills harmful germs and viruses before they can make you sick many times. I haven't been sick at all yet since we've owned it, but like I said, time will tell with that one. The heat produced that penetrates the tissues is also supposed to be excellent for toxic drainage, and that includes helping to get rid of cellulite. So, since I've always had cellulite to varying degrees on my thighs and buttocks, I've decided to start using a pronged massager after I've been in the sauna for twenty minutes or so, when my skin has heated, and massaging it really well to help smooth out those areas. It really seems to be helping so far, and I'm hoping that with more time I will see a nice, dramatic reduction in cellulite. I also use a cellulite cream in conjunction with this regimen, and am hoping that will also boost the effectiveness of cellulite reduction. All in all, our infrared sauna has been one of the smartest investments we've ever made in our health. We wouldn't trade it for the world, and hope to get many years of enjoyment out of the spa-like environment and stress-busting quiet heat.
What exactly is infrared, or radiant heat? No need to worry - it has nothing to do with either ultraviolet radiation (which gives you a sunburn and damages your skin) or atomic radiation (the kind from a nuclear bomb). Radiant heat is simply a form of energy that heats objects directly through a process called conversion, without having to heat the air in between. Radiant heat is also called infrared energy (IR). Our sun is the principal source of radiant energy that we enjoy daily (some more so than others). Have you ever been outside on a partly cloudy spring day of about 50 degrees F. and felt quite comfortable until the sun was suddenly obscured by a cloud? Although the air temperature had not had time to drop, you felt chilled, as the cloud would not let the warming infrared rays through to reach you. Infrared light is an important energy force that promotes healing - a raising of the white blood cell count. Why is that good? Because more white blood cells mean greater immunity. Greater immunity means greater health and a better quality of life. Today we're seeing new technologies employing far-infrared energy in health care products an din clinical protocols such as hyperthermic therapies for detoxification and cancer treatment. Energy medicine is an ancient practice and Chinese health practitioners would use healing touch therapies for improved cell growth, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in cells. Although these ancient practitioners did not know the technical terms as to why their therapy improved health, they were sure their patients got better. Yes, the human heat from their touch increased immune defense response in which white blood cells surround and ingested small living things (like bacteria) and cell wastes. Far-infrared heat follows the same principle: warm the injury site to speed healing. Why is infrared heat better than say, a heating pad? Because the vibrational energy of far-infrared light is unlike that of the heat energy we use for everyday functions, like cooking. Boiling water could actually damage our skin but it doesn't heat internal organs. Sunlight heats us in a profound way, however, because it contains penetrating far-infrared rays as well as the full range of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum. I know what you must be thinking - how can I benefit from the sun's infrared rays? I don't live near the equator. Besides, I thought the sun's rays were damaging to my skin. While it's true the sun's rays should be used judiciously, especially by fair-skinned people, the fact remains that infrared radiation promotes health. A few companies have captured the essence of this healing energy by creating spruce saunas and smaller wraps for localized healing in specific areas of the body. Some of these spruce saunas have been created using wood that contains no pesticides for better tolerance and detoxification. Over the past 25 years, Japanese and Chinese researchers and clinicians have done extensive research on infrared treatments and reported many provocative findings. Whole-body infrared therapy has been used for over 80 years by German physicians in an independently developed form. Among other benefits, whole-body infrared thermal systems make it possible for people in wheelchairs, or those who are otherwise unable to exert themselves, or who won't follow through on an exercising and conditioning program to achieve a cardiovascular training effect. This also allows for more variety in any ongoing exercise program. As for infrared's outstanding effect on caloric consumption and weight control, we find that burning from 600 to 2,400 calories in a 30 minute session to be quite routine. The infrared thermal system might then simulate the consumption of energy equal to that expended in a 6 to 9 mile run during only a single session. This would be invaluable for those who don't exercise and those who can't exercise yet want an effective weight control and fitness maintenance program. Evidently the flushing of toxins from the lymph areas and from the largest organ of elimination, the skin, are the source of many these health improvements. Toxemia has been targeted as the number one reason so many of us are ill. With the elimination of these poisons from deep within the body, the organs can then do their job unhindered. Although any health-restoring strategy involves some type of cleansing diet and supplements, infrared therapy would definitely be called for to augment the process more efficiently. The list of health enhancements through the use of infrared therapy is impressive and it includes: relief from all forms of arthritis, increase in the extensibility of collagen tissues, relieves muscle spasms and joint stiffness, increases blood flow, assists in resolution of inflammatory infiltrates, edema and exudates, weight control, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, blood circulation, ear, nose and throat conditions, skin conditions (including cellulite) and all-around beauty treatment. Is infrared therapy a cure-all? Well, I don't believe that. But it's value cannot be ignored. Especially in view of the fact that millions suffer from toxic overload and its vast array of symptoms. Perhaps many more will come to view it as the body care system of the future just like NASA's astronauts and newborn babies have proven.
