Infrared Sauna Therapy

What is Infrared Therapy?

Infrared therapy is a type of treatment that uses infrared light to promote healing in the body. Infrared light is not a form of the visible light spectrum, but we feel it as heat because the energy emitted from infrared light stimulates the water in our bodies to generate energy, which is what you feel as warmth. While infrared radiation does not emit visible light, it is a part of what is called the electromagnetic spectrum.

Infrared radiation has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions and more recently has become popular as a way to improve overall health. Don't let the term radiation fool you, infrared is non-ionising, meaning that it is not harmful. There are many health benefits to using infrared therapy, including improved circulation, reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, wound healing, increased metabolism, weight loss, and improved detoxification. Infrared therapy can also help to relieve pain, improve sleep, and reduce stress levels. Infrared therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment and technologies, such as massage or acupuncture, halotherapy, and even other infrared light modalities such as red light therapy, to maximise its effectiveness.

How does infrared light work?

Infrared therapy works from infrared waves that have emitted infrared radiation, called infrared light, being absorbed by the body and converted to thermal energy. Infrared light passes through your skin and into fat cells, breaking down the triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. This process is called lipolysis, and it allows your body to rid itself of toxins stored in fat cells. As well as the above health benefits of infrared wavelengths, infrared therapy also works by raising your core temperature. This rise in core temperature in turn causes your heart rate to increase and your blood vessels to dilate. This increase in blood flow and improved circulation allows for greater oxygen and nutrient delivery, improved blood pressure, and stimulates the body's natural defences for even more health benefits.

Is infrared radiation safe?

Infrared therapy is safe. It is a non-invasive way to promote many health benefits and has been used for centuries. Don't let the term infrared radiation scare you, it is simply one term to explain the infrared wavelengths that are invisible to the human eye, hence the name infrared light. There are many objects that generate infrared radiation, including the sun, fire, and even the human body. The human body emits infrared heat as a normal part of its metabolism, while the infrared light from the sun is responsible for the warming of the Earth's surface. Because infrared radiation or infrared light is not visible light, it can only be seen with thermal imaging such as infrared cameras and night vision goggles. This thermal imaging is used to detect objects and is even used for infrared astronomy. Other infrared sources include heat lamps, infrared lamps, infrared lasers, and of course infrared saunas. Infrared therapy can be used by people of all ages and is a great way to promote overall health and well-being. The thermal energy produced by infrared waves, is completely safe since there are no harmful wavelengths of sunlight produced by our infrared technology, just natural therapeutic warmth. In fact, this infrared radiation is so safe that it's used in hospitals to keep newborns warm. Infrared therapy is safe for most people to use, though there are a few conditions that it should not be used for, such as pregnant women, those with heart conditions, or those with metal implants. If you have any concerns about whether infrared radiation is right for you, be sure to speak to your doctor before beginning treatment.

Which is better infrared or traditional sauna?

Infrared saunas work differently then traditional saunas in that they raise the body temperature directly, rather than heating the air. Therefore while a traditional sauna may have a warmer temperature measurement, they do not provide as many health benefits.

Traditional saunas can be uncomfortable and difficult to breathe in due to temperatures reaching upwards of 80°C-105°C, while infrared sauna cabins have lower temperatures and are a more comfortable alternative, directly heating the body's deeper tissue.

Some added health benefits of infrared waves are that it targets the release of toxins in fat cells and has been shown to increase metabolism over regular use.

In an infrared sauna, you receive all of the health benefits of high temperatures without exposing yourself to the damaging, extremely hot air of a steam sauna. Infrared therapy is a better choice for those who are looking to improve their overall health and well-being.