Did you know that infrared sauna can help reduce inflammation? It’s true! Infrared sauna therapy can help with pain relief by relaxing tense muscles through its infrared lights. So, if you’re struggling with chronic inflammation, infrared heat may be a solution. In fact, infrared sauna therapy may have many other long-term beneficial effects on the human body.

However, infrared treatment can be particularly helpful and rejuvenating if inflammation is a chronic health concern. At this point, however, you may be wondering how it helps with inflamed sensitivity as well as any other medical applications. Keep reading to find out.

What is an Infrared Sauna?  

An infrared sauna is a sauna variation that uses light as a means to produce heat.

Infrared sauna sessions differ from regular sauna sessions in that they use state-of-the-art infrared heaters, in stark contrast to the dry heat created by conventional saunas. This form of thermal therapy feels like a therapeutic intervention, as it reduces stress levels with its gentle heat. This can be especially reinvigorating if you’re managing an inflammatory condition.

One of its distinct characteristics is the potent yet non-invasive air temperature shift it creates in the sauna.

How Do Infrared Saunas Work?  

The infrared sauna experience consists of various light colors (such as red light) to generate heat. Where traditional dry-heat saunas warm the air, an infrared sauna routine heats your body rather than the air around you. This process creates a deep penetration that rejuvenates your body on a cellular level. And the best part is that this process doesn’t take a lot of time.

In fact, 20 to 30-minute infrared sauna sessions are all you really need. As your core body temperature rises, its natural response is to reduce oxidative stress and release heavy metals through perspiration. For this reason, infrared sauna bathing serves as a cleansing mechanism.

Key Health Benefits  

Infrared therapy has a wide range of potential benefits. As a result, it’s a possible solution for rejuvenation, longevity, and optimal health. In fact, numerous studies support the positive effects of infrared wavelengths. So, in this section, we’ll explore the infrared sauna health benefits you may experience from regular sessions.

Reduction of Inflammation  

One of the primary advantages of thermal therapy is its ability to alleviate systemic inflammation.

When you step inside a steam room, the infrared sauna blanket wraps you in its warm embrace, widening your blood vessels as a result. This process is referred to as vasodilation. And it delivers a generous supply of oxygen-rich blood to areas of muscle soreness.  

The result is an almost opioid-like effect of alleviation from chronic inflammation and joint pain.

Promotion of Relaxation  

Infrared therapy can also help you relax by alleviating muscle tension.

It creates streamlined circulation with oxygen flowing freely throughout your system. The result is less demand being placed on everything from brain function to your internal organs. For this reason, individuals struggling with stress or depression should try or consider infrared sauna therapy.

Improved Heart Health  

Far-infrared therapy may be beneficial to people with heart conditions.

In fact, one of the key health advantages of infrared sauna sessions is cardiovascular health improvement. The reason is that infrared light boosts nitric oxide production. This signaling molecule improves the health of your blood vessels.

As a result, your heart receives a surplus of oxygen-rich blood flow.

Enhanced Muscle Recovery  

An infrared sauna’s heat increases blood flow, which reduces the level of inflammation.

This process relaxes your muscles, which further accelerates their recovery time. One of the primary ways an infrared sauna helps with muscle recovery is by the increased blood flow it facilitates. Moreover, this also reduces pain while triggering the growth of muscles and tissues.

Relief for Arthritis and Chronic Pain  

Struggling with arthritis or chronic pain? The warm embrace of an infrared sauna blanket may be able to help. The heat generated by the infrared wavelengths increases oxygen in your bloodstream. As a result, infrared saunas are a health hack that may boost the output of white blood cells, alleviating inflammation and reducing chronic pain.

While you should still consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before using an infrared sauna, it may be a solution to your arthritis and chronic pain problems.

Comparison to Traditional Saunas  

An infrared sauna is quite different from the traditional sauna. While both applications share similar benefits, such as detoxification, relaxation, and improved circulation, there are a few core differences to be aware of. This understanding will help you to determine which method is the better option for you.

Heating Styles  

Traditional dry-heat saunas warm the air via a heater, reaching typical temperatures of about 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit.

The caveat, however, is that this intense heat may not be suitable for many people. In fact, it can actually be quite uncomfortable and possibly even dangerous, especially if you have underlying health conditions.In contrast, Infrared saunas apply infrared light to directly heat your body.

Moreover, the heat is milder with typical temperatures of only 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the infrared sauna experience is more temperate and tolerable.

Sweating and Detoxification  

Both traditional and infrared saunas promote perspiration and detoxification.

However, the way each type facilitates these outcomes is different. For example, conventional dry-heat saunas use intense heat temperatures, causing surface-level perspiration. On the other hand, infrared steam rooms penetrate your skin at a deeper level, which produces a more thorough sweat. The result is a sauna experience that detoxifies your body on a cellular level.

And this deeper detoxification gives you a more extensive cleansing that is lost in a traditional sauna. For this reason, the infrared steam room is often seen as a more well-being inducing choice.

Circulation and Cardiovascular Benefits  

The high heat of a traditional sauna will increase your heart rate and accompanying circulation.

An infrared sauna will also boost your circulation; however, the lower temperatures are easier to tolerate. As a result, you can remain in an infrared sauna longer than in a traditional dry-heat steam room, which can contribute to a bigger improvement in cardiovascular health.

While both saunas can improve your heart health, the gentler heat from infrared steam rooms may be the better option if you’re more sensitive to higher temperatures.

Practical Guidance for Use  

Before you drape your towel over your waist or throw on your swim attire, it’s important to cover a few steam room best practices. These simple suggestions will help you get the most out of your infrared sauna bathing experience.

Safety Considerations  

Safety precautions for both infrared and traditional dry-heat saunas are relatively the same. However, it’s important to note that if you have painful conditions, degenerative diseases, or other health concerns, you should consult with your healthcare professional before steeping your foot in either an infrared or dry-heat sauna.

But with that said, here are some safety considerations for your sauna experience:

• Stay well hydrated: The heat from the sauna can leave you feeling parched rather quickly. As a result, it’s critical that you have a water bottle nearby to ensure you remain properly hydrated while enjoying the sauna experience.
• Remove all jewelry: Whether it’s a watch, earrings, or finger rings, jewelry made from metal will easily and quickly heat up in a sauna, creating pain and skin irritation. As a result, you’ll want to remove these accessories before jumping in any steam room.
• Pay attention to your emotional state: Be cognizant of how you feel when you step in a sauna. If you begin feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or even a bit nauseous, these are clear indicators that your body is not reacting well to the heat. Immediately step out of the sauna to regain your composure and emotional self-control.
• Dress in the appropriate clothing: Heavy clothing can easily result in overheating. For this reason, select loose-fitting clothes or even a light towel or swimwear for your sauna session. This will allow you to enjoy the sauna for longer and experience more of the benefits as a result.

Your safety should be your number one priority when entering a steam room. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure your sauna experience is a positive one that will yield many health advantages over time.

Recommended Duration and Frequency  

The amount of time and frequency of visits will differ from person to person.

Someone who has more experience (and as a result, tolerance) with saunas will be able to extend the time. However, if you’re just getting started, you may want to limit your exposure until you feel more comfortable with prolonged sauna bathing sessions.

However, as a general rule, you should limit your sessions to about 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 days a week.

Post-Sauna Care  

You’ll sweat a lot in an infrared sauna.

For this reason, ensure you remain hydrated by drinking water immediately after your session. Also, wait for your system to cool before doing any other activities. Once you arrive home from the steam room, take a shower to clear the toxins from your skin.

Start with a warm shower and then consider briefly turning it to a cooler temperature to seal up pores.

Next Step: Claim 50% Off Your First Service  

Infrared sauna can help alleviate inflammation, improve blood flow, promote relaxation, and so much more. As a result, it’s a form of heat therapy that goes above and beyond when it comes to your health and wellness. At InfuZen Health, we are Fort Worth’s number one IV therapy clinic.

Our professional treatments offer a holistic approach to wellness that merges with the tried-and-true health best practices. So, if you’re ready to prioritize your health and wellness, contact us today to claim 50% off your first service.