Far Infrared Sauna Therapy

Infrared Sauna therapy works by warming the body with beneficial red spectrum (far infra red) rays.  Far infrared (FIR) waves are invisible light rays naturally produced by the sun.  FIR are beneficial light waves that penetrate the skin surface up to two inches, which provides heat to blood vessels, tissues, and muscles.  Unlike other saunas, infrared saunas operate at a temperature of 90-145 degrees F compared to the traditional sauna heating to 185-230 degrees F.  With a lower more concentrated temperature, the FIR waves heat less of the air around you and more of the skin surface area.  A lower air temperature creates a comfortable environment that allows for deep relaxation, easy breathing, and longer durations, allowing you to experience the deep therapeutic healing benefits of FIR sauna technology.  

Please read the entire list of advisements and contraindications for sauna use prior to booking your far infrared sauna session

Far Infrared Sauna Therapy Pricing:

Sauna sessions are 60 minutes (20-40 minutes of actual sauna time recommended).

Single Session - $40
Five Session Package - $150
Add-on person - $10 

The benefits of Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (FIRS):

 DETOXIFICATION

A high-quality infrared sauna has the ability to eliminate stored waste from the body.  According to scientific analysis, infrared heat induced sweat contains substantially more toxins, fat, and impurities than normal sweat.  The toxins and waste found include, metabolic wastes, environmental toxins, city pollution, fat, cholesterol, heavy metals, alcohol, and nicotine.  Detoxification is accomplished by an infrared sauna in this way: Heat from the infrared sauna increases the skin temperature.  Just below the surface of the skin there is a layer of fat and oil.  The heated surface skin temperature causes those fats and oils to “melt” and drain out of the skin’s oil glands.  The fats and oils contain stored toxins, so when the sweat and oil are secreted, the toxins dissolved in them are secreted as well.  By shedding these toxins and then washing them off of your body, you have lowered your toxins load and improved cellular health. 

Based on multiple studies, research also shows that sweat is an important excretory pathway for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. They show that the rates of excretion of heavy metals through the skin could match or exceed urinary excretion. In addition, the heating of the body increases the liver and kidney’s detoxification efforts, leading to greater overall removal of toxins (Sears et al, 2012).

Be sure to shower afterward and wash away these free toxins with non-toxic soaps to prevent them from reabsorbing back into the body.  A diet rich in fat-mobilizing vitamins and essential fatty acids make the sauna detoxification even more effective.  You may decide to combine your sauna detoxification with our nutrition-based detox program to kick-start a healthier lifestyle.

ASSISTS IN FAT LOSS AND INCREASES METABOLISM

Our body expends energy to produce sweat.  Re-hydration will return lost water weight to normal however the calories burned in a sauna session will not be regained.  A sauna therapy session can also help to raise your basal metabolic rate meaning you will burn calories at an elevated rate for hours after your session has finished.  This can translate to a benefit of burning hundreds of calories from a single session.

FIR sauna has also been studied for obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure). One study compared persons participating in either cardiovascular exercise for 15 minutes with 30 minutes of FIR sauna or 15 minutes of exercise only (the control group) three times weekly for eight weeks. Subjects in the sauna group lost 1.8 times as much weight and 4.6 times as much body fat as the control group. Similarly, the diastolic blood pressure drop was 1.8 times greater and the systolic blood pressure drop was 3.3 times greater than in the exercise only group (Crinnion, 2011).

PROMOTES HEART HEALTH

Heat from infrared sauna stimulates vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to the skin surface and the extremities in order to dissipate heat.  This flushing of blood to the surface engages the cardiovascular system and forces your heart to pump at a greater rate to boost circulation to the furthest reaches of the body.  The increased demand on the heart creates the conditioning benefits of continuous exercise.  Heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate increases while diastolic blood pressure drops.  The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2001) concluded that repeated infrared sauna treatment improves impaired blood vessel functions in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol, suggesting a preventive role for sauna use for arteriosclerosis.

According to Richard Beever, MD (2009), “as infrared heat penetrates more deeply than warmed air, users develop a more vigorous sweat at a lower temperature than they would in traditional saunas. The cardiovascular demand imparted by thermoregulatory homeostasis (sweating, vasodilation, decreased afterload, increased heart rate, increased cardiac output) is similar to that achieved by walking at a moderate pace. As such, FIRS might be of particular benefit to those who are sedentary due to various medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis or cardiovascular or respiratory problems.”

If you have advanced heart disease, you must be under the care and guidance of physician prior to beginning infrared sauna therapy.

ENHANCES MOOD & COMBATS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)

Warming the body increases blood flow and the release of beta-endorphins provide the brain and body with calming therapeutic results.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has been widely acknowledged by the medical profession for many years. People suffering from (SAD) can see an increase of metabolic disorders, depression, skin diseases, allergies and conditions caused by impaired/suppressed immune systems.  Light deprivation and more time indoors over the dark cold winters create circumstances for severe light deprivation.  The far infrared rays from our sauna mimic the benefits of natural sunlight and warm the body at a deeper level, naturally elevating mood and combating SAD.

PROMOTES RELAXATION, REDUCES STRESS AND IMPROVES SLEEP

Studies have shown that sitting in a sauna for 30 minutes doubled beta-endorphin (neurotransmitters commonly released during intense exercise) levels in the blood.  Beta-endorphins are neuropeptides and naturally occurring opiates possessing morphine like effects involved in natural pain management and the natural reward circuits in our brain.  Beta-endorphins relieve pain, are anti-stress hormones and may also produce a sense of wellbeing and euphoria. A reduction in stress hormones coupled with an increase in serotonin (associated with elevated mood, relaxation and sleep) induce a deep state of relaxation that promotes better quality of sleep.

PROVIDES CHRONIC JOINT & MUSCLE PAIN RELIEF & SPEEDS INJURY RECOVERY

Therapeutic heat from the infrared sauna penetrates deeply into the affected tissues causing blood vessels to dilate and blood to move more efficiently.  Increased circulation improves the removal of metabolic waste products and increases tissue oxygenation levels that promote healing and recovery.  Infrared sauna can be used to aid in the therapeutic treatment of chronic arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic back pain, bursitis, as well as assist in recovery from muscle, joint and soft tissue injury.

PROMOTES A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM

Infrared Sauna therapy creates an artificial “fever” by increasing the body’s set point for temperature.  A fever is the body’s natural defense mechanism to kill microbes.  By increasing the temperature to a point that certain microbes (i.e. bacteria and viruses) cannot survive, sauna therapy assists the immune system in raising the core temperature to help rid the body of infections, such as colds and flus.

In a study where 25 volunteers were submitted to sauna bathing and 25 participants in a controlled group, it was concluded that sauna bathing probably reduces the incidence of common colds. In both groups, the frequency, duration, and severity of common colds were recorded for six months. There were significantly fewer episodes of common colds in the sauna group. This was found particularly during the last three months of the study period when the incidence was roughly halved compared to controls (Ernst et al, 2009).

IMPORTANT: Medication Interactions

FIRS CONTRAINDICATIONS 

 

How often can the FIRS be used?

2 – 3 times a week is the recommended frequency.

How to prepare for the sauna:

Do not use deodorant, lotions, makeup, or perfume prior to sauna session.

Please bring a clean bathing suit or shorts. The infrared sauna will not work through clothing.

Remain inside the sauna 20 -30 minutes at a time and rest for about 5 - 10 minutes afterwards.  We will provide you with mineralized water to drink after the sauna.

Use a small towel to wipe off the sweat. It is not recommended to talk or work in the sauna.

 

What to do after the sauna:

 

When finished, you can take a shower and use only warm or cool water but not hot. Avoid using soap as it leaves a film and clogs the pores. Wash off the sweat with a skin brush or loofah. Only use shampoo and conditioner if needed. Do not use lotions or creams.

Drink a full glass of mineralized water after the sauna. The amount of water intake can vary with the individual. If any signs of dehydration such as thirst, dry skin, dry mouth, or decreased urine are noticed, the amount of water intake should be increased. Water should be taken throughout the day for optimal hydration. You should drink pure, filtered water as much as possible. Lemon may be added to the water. Do not drink soft drinks or sugar drinks.