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What is an Infrared Sauna?

Detoxification can be used as a means to relieve symptoms and as a preventive tool to increase overall health, vitality and resistance to disease. Sweating is the body’s’ way to release toxins and regulate it’s temperature. Sweat carries impurities out of the body through the pores. The average person has 2.6 million sweat glands that are distributed over most of the body. The skin is the largest organ of the body and plays a significant role in the detoxification process. Detox therapy is important for those suffering from immune system problems, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, environmental illness , chemical sensitivities and fibromyalgia. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that over 80% of all illnesses have environmental and lifestyle causes.

Traditional saunas are more likely to spread and cultivate bacteria in the humid air, therefore an infrared sauna creates a more sanitary environment. An infrared sauna will heat up in a shorter time period than a steam sauna because it can heat the skin directly and does not need to heat the air. A tailored detox program that includes an infrared Sauna can be helpful for people suffering from diseases and conditions including  allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, chronic infections, depression, headaches, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar, digestive disorders, mental illness and obesity.

It is estimated that one in every four Americans suffers from some level of heavy metal poisoning , including mercury, lead , cadmium and aluminum. Toxins in the body also include chemical pollutants such as pesticides , DDT , PCB’s (poly chlorinated biphenyls), food additives, drugs, alcohol and heavy metals. Other uses for an infrared sauna would be stress reduction, relaxation, pain relief and lowering blood pressure.

Infrared light is part of the sun’s invisible spectrum. One of the far infrared light’s characteristics is the ability to easily penetrate human tissue. You can be exposed to far infrared heat for hours and your skin wall never burn. A far infrared sauna is completely healthy and safe for all living things. In fact hospitals use it to warm newborn infants. All humans send and receive far infrared waves.

The range of waves generated by the body is 6 to 20 microns. The optimal output range is between 7 and 14 microns, which are very close to the resonant frequency of a water molecule. And since our bodies are almost 70% water , this “Vital Ray’s” range appears to have special regenerative effects on the body. This vital wave resonance or vibration causes a release of cellular toxins such as heavy metals, cholesterol and toxic gases such as sulfur and formaldehyde.

Contraindications for Infrared Saunas

• Medications
• Implants
• Fever
• Pregnancy
• Alcohol
• Children
• Joint injury
• Cardiovascular conditions
• The elderly
• Pace maker
• Hemophiliacs
• Reduced ability to sweat
• Sensitivity to heat

Procedure

How Often:

For therapeutic use one should use the infrared sauna at least weekly. If one is very debilitated, start with once or twice per week and for only 10 to 15 minutes maximum. As you increase your comfort level in the infrared sauna, you may increase the time and frequency of use. Work up to daily use as one is able. When beginning an infrared sauna detoxification regimen, many people over-do it and stay too long. Always start slowly, even if you are in great physical condition. Always leave any sauna if you feel faint, dizzy or sick.

Sauna prep:

Preheat the infrared sauna to about 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit and not over 120 F. It is best not to wear clothing in an infrared sauna for best penetration of the infrared rays. It is fine, however, if a bathing suit is required. Avoid heavy meals two hours before a sauna session. Please avoid alcohol and other intoxicants. Drink at least 8oz of distilled or purified water before entering an infrared sauna. Always keep water near by so you can drink as much as necessary. Remove all metal jewelry before entering a sauna. Do not put any oils on the skin before a sauna, as they also may become very hot, especially in an infrared type of sauna. Since the skin is the body’s largest eliminative organ, and it expels about a pound of waste per day through the pores, dry brushing the skin before entering an infrared sauna stimulates the lymph system, thus maximizing the body’s natural detoxification process.

Finishing up:

How long one remains inside an infrared sauna depends on one’s health condition. Most people do well with 20-50 minutes in a sauna. We do not recommend more than an hour at a time. When finished, take a warm shower to rinse off the toxins that are excreted during a sauna. Avoid using soap if possible, as you should be quite clean after sweating. If using soap, shampoo and conditioner, use products that are 100% organic, as most contain chemicals that are toxic to the body. Also try to avoid most oils, lotions and creams as they may clog pores. Drink 8oz-16oz of water after a sauna session, and if possible sit or lie down for at least 10 minutes after to reap the full benefit of the sauna experience.