Infrared Sauna Health Benefits & My Experience
A few months ago I purchased my very own infrared sauna! They were on my radar for years and I’m so thrilled to finally own one. I can’t wait to tell you about some of the many health benefits and my results from regularly using an infrared sauna. The top hospitals, holistic doctors, cancer and weight loss centers around the world – even NASA – have been using and raving about the benefits of infrared saunas. And for very good reasons that you’ll learn about below.
Warning – this is a really, really long post! I’ve spent countless hours researching infrared saunas and comparing companies before deciding on one that I really love and believe in. If you don’t care about all the science or the details of my own experience and just want to see what eco-friendly, low-EMF infrared sauna I decided to go with, click HERE and mention that you saw this post on Primally Inspired. (This is NOT a sponsored post) *Update: We are doing a group buy so we can get wholesale pricing!!! Save about 40% off an infrared sauna with our group buy wholesale pricing – Click HERE and request wholesale pricing for the Primally Inspired Group Buy.
I had my very first infrared sauna experience when I was living in Maryland about 5 years ago. I was involved in a car accident 10 years ago that left me with chronic, nagging, neck pain. In those 10 years, I tried just about everything I could think of to end the chronic pain – physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, nutrition and herbal treatments, hydrotherapy, chiropractic care, and a lot more. And while most of those therapies did provide pain relief, the pain would always return just a few weeks later.
And then I visited a chiropractor in Maryland who was a firm believer in infrared saunas for chronic pain, inflammation, weight loss and detoxification. After my first session I was hooked. Just three sessions a week for three months and my chronic neck pain was finally gone….and didn’t return…..until just last winter when I re-injured my neck in a sledding accident. At least I knew exactly what to do for my neck injury this time around! By this time I had moved to Pennsylvania so I googled infrared sauna therapy in my area. Much to my dismay, the closest thing that came up was over an hour away, which was unrealistic for me to do at the time.
That’s when I made the decision to spend some time researching infrared saunas because I was interested in possibly purchasing my own. After months and countless hours of research, I finally picked a company who exceeded every one of my expectations and I bought my own infrared sauna (plus I learned a whole lot about infrared saunas in the process – way more than anyone ever needs to know haha!).
By the way, this post is NOT sponsored nor was I given a sauna for my review. I’m just head over heels in love with my sauna and want everyone to know about all the benefits of infrared sauna therapy because I believe it can make a considerable difference in your health just like my family and I have experienced. Once I collected the overwhelming evidence for infrared sauna therapy, I truly believe that it is one of the best healing tools available.
The benefits of regular infrared sauna sessions range from weight loss to detoxing harmful chemicals to cancer and disease prevention/treatment to relieving eczema and psoriasis, arthritis and so much more. I firmly believe that every heart disease, thyroid, weight loss, cancer, diabetic, chronic pain, autistic or autoimmune disease patient should have access to regular infrared sauna sessions.
And months after owning my infrared sauna, I can say without a doubt that regular infrared sauna therapy was the best investment I’ve made for my health and the health of my family. It moved the mark on our health the fastest and most noticeable, more than anything we’ve done prior. I can’t wait to tell you about the benefits we’ve received from infrared sauna therapy – some that really surprised us! (If you want to find out more about my infrared sauna, click HERE. (Update — Join our group buy to get wholesale pricing (about 40% off!!!) – click HERE and request the Primally Inspired Group Buy Pricing)
What is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna is a special type of sauna that basically uses light to create heat. You might also hear them called far-infrared because far describes where the infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. It’s on the same wavelength of light that gives life to the entire plant kingdom! Far infrared rays are the most vital to health and healing. Far infrared rays also stimulate endorphins (the happy brain hormones!), kill bad bacteria and parasites and most importantly, penetrate into the body to detoxify cells.
Far infrared is also the same type of heat produced by the sun, but without any of the negative effects of solar radiation. It’s like being in a your own box of healing sunshine without all the harmful radiation! In fact, there’s evidence that this type of light is actually the antidote to excess ultraviolet and EMF radiation. It’s even been shown to heal sun damaged skin, including wrinkles and fine lines!
Whole body infrared therapy has been used for over 80 years by German physicians. In 1965 it was used exclusively by medical practitioners in Japan until being released for public use in 1979.
Infrared therapy has been studied extensively for decades and no adverse effects have ever been reported (source). The American Journal of Medicine conducted a meta-review of all the studies on sauna use from 1966 to the present and concluded that infrared sauna use is safe and has therapeutic value for healthy people as well as heart disease patients. They are even safe for kids, pets and pregnant women. Hospitals have been using infrared heat for decades for premature newborns. NASA even uses infrared heat to maintain cardiovascular conditioning in astronauts during long space flights! The majority of top hospitals, cancer facilities and holistic doctors around the world use and recommend whole body infrared therapy for healing and disease prevention.
Hundreds of studies and clinical trials can be found reporting impressive improvements in:
arthritis
sleep disorders
mood disorders
thyroid disorders
acne
obesity
autism
cancer
cellulite
heart disease
radiation related illnesses
Chron’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis & fibromyalgia
scars & wound healing
strokes
menopause
depression
asthma
eczema and psoriasis
colds, the flu
and more!
Dr. Imamura in Japan put 25 men with heart disease in an infrared sauna 15 minutes a day for two weeks. The results were: significantly lowered blood pressure, significant weight loss, significantly lowered blood sugar, significantly increased blood flow, lowered cholesterol, and lowered triglycerides! These results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2001.
Infrared Sauna Compared to a Regular Sauna
While researching, I learned that there are healing benefits no matter what type of sauna you use. All types of saunas will make you sweat and doing so helps flush out toxins. The skin is a major detox organ, but the truth is, many of us don’t sweat nearly enough these days. We sit in air conditioned rooms all day and night. And if we do workout, most of us workout in an air conditioned environment where it’s really hard to work up a good sweat. Sweating in any type of sauna (or any situation!) is a good and welcome practice to release toxins via the skin.
However, the benefits of infrared saunas go much deeper and are much safer than a conventional sauna. The type of heat in an infrared sauna penetrates the skin deeply (1.5” to 6”!!!) aiding in many restorative body processes that are not available through a conventional sauna. Because infrared heat penetrates the skin so deeply and heats the body from the inside out rather than just heating the skin superficially like a conventional sauna, the infrared sauna is able to eliminate toxins and speed oxygen flow deep into the muscles, joints and internal organs. It’s able to remove impurities from cells, specifically the cells inside fat where the body stores waste and harmful toxins such as heavy metals, dozens of pesticides, cleaning agents, endocrine disrupting hormones, alcohol, and nicotine. Also because infrared energy travels so deep into the body, it’s able to regenerate damaged tissues and strengthen immune cells while weakening and killing viruses, pathogens and harmful bacteria.
The far infrared sauna is the only type of sauna proven safe for the elderly and for severe end-stage heart patients because the temperatures are much lower than a conventional sauna (the temperature is much lower and much more pleasant in the far infrared sauna, but you will sweat 2-3 times the volume of a conventional sauna!). I found a fascinating study from the Mayo Clinic that reported the far infrared sauna was the only thing that was able to improve late-stage heart failure patients with zero side effects when nothing else could be done by medicine. And the improvement took place in just 3 short weeks!
Bottom line: The sweating is deeper, more profuse and will enable your body to excrete a higher percentage of toxins through an infrared sauna. An infrared sauna also aids in many healing processes not available through a conventional sauna. Although all types of saunas can be beneficial, if you have the choice, a low-EMF infrared sauna is the way to go. (HERE’S the company I picked. If you are interested in joining our group buy to get wholesale pricing – about 40% off!!! – click HERE and request the Primally Inspired Group Buy Pricing)
Summary of benefits we’ve noticed from infrared therapy:
My husband and I are both sleeping deeper.
I’ve noticed healthier, thicker hair and my hair is growing like a weed (from the increased circulation).
Leaves my skin feeling like I got the best facial ever – my skin is baby soft!
Reduction in my fine lines and cellulite.
Eliminated my chronic neck pain!!! For those living with chronic pain, you can understand why I’m so excited about that!
Faster recovery time from working out.
Super fast recovery on my husband’s injured shoulder (3 days versus his usual 2+ weeks).
Makes me more mentally relaxed, while making my husband feel more energetic and rejuvenated (it seems to balance us because I tend to be high strung and he’s usually very low key).
Cleared my husband’s back acne.
Seems to be helping with my typical “winter blues” so far. I haven’t felt them yet this winter – woo!
I accidentally ingested some dairy which resulted in a horrible headache. After my sauna session, it was completely gone.
My scars are almost completely faded!
I can attest to the cardio benefits. I recently ran a 5K with my runner friend (I am so NOT a runner) and it was a piece of cake. I kept up with her even though I can’t even remember the last time I ran before that. We both couldn’t believe it!
I finally broke through my flexibility plateau (this is a big deal to me – I’ve been working on my splits for the last year and was stuck in this one spot for months).
My husband and I haven’t been sick at all, not even a hint of sickness, even though we were around numerous people who were sick with colds and the flu (I even accidentally drank after someone who was sick!)
My mom recently bought an infrared sauna from the same company, too so I’ll keep you posted on their results after a few months! It’s exciting to see how much it’s helped us so far!
I think it’s so cool how in a single sauna session, I can get a facial, burn fat and calories, get cardio exercise, kill off bad bacteria, viruses and pathogens, relax and restore, spend time praying, boost my metabolism, strengthen my immune system, prevent cancer and disease, increase flexibility, relieve pain, detoxify from harmful chemicals, all at the same time!!! Talk about getting the most bang with your buck! It was truly the best investment I’ve made for my health.
Infrared Sauna for Helping & Preventing Cancer and Disease
An infrared sauna session will raise your core body temperature. When the core body temperature is raised, it’s the body’s natural healing mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response as well as burn off viruses and bad bacteria as evident in the case of a fever and infection. This enhanced immune system, combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via profuse sweating, increases your overall health and resistance to disease.
Infrared saunas are showing great promise in helping cancer patients and almost all top cancer facilities and holistic doctors around the world are now using them as part of their cancer treatment and prevention. At 109 degrees, cancer cells die. In repeated infrared sauna treatments, resistance of cancer cells become weaker while immune function gets stronger as tumor cells die away.
It’s calculated that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women who are alive today will face cancer in their lifetime. This world is so sick. The soil is sick, the trees are dying, the water is contaminated, we’ve got over 4 billion pounds of chemicals, including 72 million pounds of known carcinogens released into the nation each year. If we want to stay healthy in today’s world, we’ve got to help our body get the toxins out and keep the body’s healing mechanisms strong. Through my research I learned that an infrared sauna is the very best way to detox toxins and strengthen the body’s healing mechanisms.
Getting personal for a second — all my cancer prevention research was a major influencer in my decision to ultimately purchase an infrared sauna. When I was 24 years old, I watched my strong, athletic, fit dad, who was only 46, die a painful and horrible death from a rare form of aggressive cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Quite honestly, watching my precious dad suffer like he did traumatized me (but also lit a fire in me to help change the world!) and I vowed that I would do all that I possibly could to make sure that would never happen to me or anyone I loved. I love knowing that my infrared sauna is the best thing available to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. And I’m honored that through my blog I get to tell the world (well, my readers all around the world!) about one of the very best ways to prevent cancer.
Infrared Sauna for Weight Loss, Calorie Burning and Metabolism Boosting
A 30 minute sauna session burns anywhere from 300-600+ calories (I’ve even seen some research that shows it burns 900 and more calories!). That’s the equivalent of going on a 45 minute jog, but instead you’re relaxing in a sauna! How cool is that?!
Actor, Jeremy Davies told the New York Times that he was able to lose 33 pounds quickly for the movie “Rescue Dawn” using an infrared sauna!
Infrared saunas are known to help break the plateau in weight loss and are especially helpful in releasing stubborn belly fat. That’s because heavy metals and toxic chemicals accumulate primarily in fat cells, especially belly fat, and those toxins actually keep the body from eliminating the fat itself. Many of those stored belly fat toxins are classified as obesogens because they cause fat cells to get larger or multiply. There’s also evidence that obesogens slow the metabolism and increase appetite. Toxins play a huge role in belly fat storage. Helping your body eliminate these toxins will go a long way at losing that stubborn fat. A clean body is able to metabolize unwanted fat properly. The best way to quickly and effectively eliminate these stubborn toxins is through infrared sauna treatment!
Sauna sessions boost your metabolism, too! While you’re relaxing in the infrared heat, your body is hard at work pumping blood and increasing sweat production to try to cool itself. This increases circulation, boosts metabolism and burns calories.
Infrared Sauna for Cardio Exercise
Infrared saunas make it possible for people in wheelchairs or those who are unable to exert themselves or for those who wouldn’t otherwise exercise achieve cardiovascular exercise. A single sauna session has been compared to the same cardio benefits as a 6 to 9 mile run! That makes it an effective weight control and fitness program with the benefits of regular exercise. So cool, right?! The Journal of American Medical Association (8/7/81) explains that infrared sauna use produces a “stress on the cardiovascular system and its regular use may be as effective, as a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning of calories, as regular exercise.” While you are relaxing in the infrared heat, the body responds to this deep heat by increasing both heart volume and rate. This beneficial heart stress leads to a sought-after cardiovascular training and conditioning effect. Medical studies confirm the use of a sauna to provide cardio conditioning as the body works to cool itself and involves substantial increases in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate. NASA even uses infrared heat to maintain cardio exercise in astronauts during long space flights!
Benefits of Infrared Sauna on Skin and Cellulite
The profuse sweating achieved through an infrared sauna session carries off deeply imbedded impurities and dry and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and immaculately clean. The increased circulation draws nutrients and mineral-rich fluids to the surface which helps increase firmness and reduces fine lines and wrinkles! You’ll also see improved skin tone, firmness, elasticity, and fresh color. It’s even been shown to heal sun damaged skin. The increased blood circulation and toxin removal has also been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions and cuts. In addition, open wounds heal more quickly and scarring is reduced. Infrared therapy is used routinely in burn units in Asia.
The benefits of skin health are quickly seen after just one infrared sauna session! Your skin will be baby soft, glowing and feel deeply cleansed after one sauna session. I feel like I just got the best facial of my life after every session. I love what it’s done for my skin! It’s also greatly improved my scars, almost to the point where they are hardly noticeable anymore. If I keep getting results like this, I believe that in just a few more months my scars will be completely eliminated!
My husband dealt with acne on his back since he was a teenager. We’ve tried numerous things over the years with not much luck. Three sauna sessions later and it’s completely gone. I learned that the infrared heat opens pores that haven’t been functioning in years. It forces out clogged debris and flushes out dead skin. His skin is now completely clear and baby soft That’s good news for teenagers and acne sufferers!
Another wonderful skin benefit is the ability to reduce and eliminate cellulite. Cellulite is superficial pockets of trapped fat, water and waste which cause dimpling of the skin. There is a direct link between the slowing of metabolic rates and the storage of toxins in fat cells. Infrared heat increases heart rate and blood circulation, which reverses the accumulation of liquids in the fat cells to reduce and eliminate cellulite! The deep penetration of heat into the cellulite also helps flush out unwanted debris and stubborn toxins trapped in the fat.
Infrared Sauna for Arthritis, Joint, Muscle and Chronic Pain
The clinical studies (and my own personal experience!) on infrared therapy helping those with chronic pain is exciting! My sister has rheumatoid arthritis so I was especially interested in learning how an infrared sauna could help her.
In countries around the world, infrared heat therapy is used to treat patients dealing with many forms of arthritis with success. It’s been shown effective in the treatment of sprains, compression fractures, back pain, whiplash, sciatica, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness and many other muscular-skeletal ailments as well as proven effective at reducing pain and increasing mobility. Much of the stiffness, aches and soreness that comes with aging is reduced or eliminated. Many of the studies attribute the pain relief to an increase in the release of natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Deep penetrating infrared heat increases circulation and blood flow, which helps stop inflammation, decreases pain and speeds healing.
As you read above, my chronic neck pain was finally eliminated by infrared therapy when nothing else worked. I’m so thrilled about that! Infrared therapy is a valuable tool to reduce and heal pain naturally without taking prescription drugs!
My husband had an old shoulder injury that would act up a few times a year and leave him with pain and decreased mobility. In the past, whenever it acted up, it would take weeks of rest before he was completely back to normal. His shoulder has benefited tremendously from infrared therapy. Infrared therapy and supplementing with collagen had him back to normal in 3 days – that’s by far the quickest he’s ever recovered! I’m very curious to find out if his shoulder pain will ever come back since he’s doing regular infrared sauna sessions! I’ll keep you posted!
Infrared Sauna for Detoxification
We live in a world crowded with toxic chemicals that didn’t exist less than a century ago. Our body is now the home to hundreds of these harmful chemicals. In fact, studies show that 100 percent of human fat cell biopsies reveal elevated levels of known toxins! And these toxins get transferred from mother to baby.
These harmful chemicals are difficult for the body to eliminate and they end up accumulating in the body. Over time they can wreck havoc on the body. Toxic overload creates an acidic internal environment and has been implicated in a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic fatigue, allergies, skin conditions, asthma, mental illness, hypertension, gastritis, kidney disease and obesity. Studies are beginning to reveal that toxic overload contributes to more serious conditions such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory/rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Infrared heat increases blood circulation and stimulates the sweat glands, releasing those accumulated toxins in the body. Regular infrared sessions detoxifies your body as it rids itself of accumulated highly toxic metals such as lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium, as well as alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid, and other toxic compounds. Saunas also stimulate the cells to release toxins which can then be eliminated by the liver and bowel. Several published studies have now shown that infrared therapy can rapidly remove of a wide range of toxic substances from the body. Through my research I learned that the best way to get rid of heavy metals and pesticide residues is through an infrared sauna.
Why Health Mate Saunas
I spent months and countless hours researching infrared saunas and comparing different low-EMF infrared sauna companies. After narrowing it down to three top companies, I finally settled on Health Mate, a company with a great reputation who have been around for over 35 years. During my comparison research, I found out that Health Mate is actually the manufacturer to all the other sauna companies I was comparing!
I had high expectations since this was a once in a lifetime purchase that I didn’t take lightly. Health Mate not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. Did you know they handpick their wood for sustainability and then plant 10 saplings for every tree they cut down? I love companies like that! That’s the kind of company I am happy to support and tell others about.
My expectations that Health Mate met and exceeded:
VERY low-EMF (among the very lowest in the industry!)
Non-treated wood and no toxins in manufacturing
Reasonably priced (Update — We are doing a group buy to get wholesale pricing! You can get one for about 40% off with the wholesale pricing!!!! They also offer 25 months 0% interest financing. Click HERE and request wholesale Primally Inspired Group Buy Pricing)
Excellent workmanship (it’s a handcrafted work of art and so beautifully made!)
Lifetime warranty
Excellent customer service
Made in North America
Environmentally Green Company
Energy Efficient (only costs $1.50 per MONTH for regular use!!!)
My sauna was promptly delivered and took my husband about 1/2 hour to completely set up. He is very handy, but it truly was so simple to put together that I think I could have done it myself in about that same time. It’s just a latch system (no tools, no screws!) so you’re basically just latching together the sides, top and bottom. Here’s a picture of my sauna:
It’s beautiful, right?! I love it so much! I bought one of the larger models since I had the space, but there are smaller options available. My mom bought a space saving corner unit from Health Mate that’s absolutely gorgeous! If you’re interested in purchasing your own Health Mate sauna, you can get wholesale pricing with our Group Buy!!!! Click HERE and request information to see the Primally Inspired Group Buy Price Sheet.
If you are a business owner, it’s worthwhile to put one in your office for the health of your employees and then you can write it off! Infrared saunas can stop the flu, a cold and other sicknesses before they develop further!
Health Benefits for Chromotherapy (Color Light Therapy)
Health Mate saunas also come with the addition of color light therapy called chromotherapy. Chromotherapy is the use of colored lights to stimulate the senses, the body, and the mind. It is powerful phototherapy utilizing the properties of all 7 colors of the healing spectrum. Color Light therapy has the ability to elevate moods, produce soothing mindsets, stimulate cell regeneration, and help in healing.
Light therapy is well known and documented to help treat Seasonal Depression. Light therapy also has the ability to decrease inflammation and pain and accelerate wound healing and after-surgery recovery. Another very popular and exciting use of light therapy is for the treatment of anti-aging. Many people, myself included, notice a reduction in fine lines, age spots and wrinkles with red light color therapy (yes, this is the same red light therapy that fancy spas charge a fortune for and you can have access to it regularly with your own infrared sauna!!).
(source – Azeem, Y;Raza SM, 2005, “A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution” and Grubson, L, 1982, “Color has a powerful effect on behavior, researches assert”)
Here are the colors and their healing properties:
Red: Enhances libido and increases energy. Red light therapy activates collagen cells and helps stimulate skin to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It energizes organs and promotes faster healing when used in conjunction with infrared therapy. Promotes cellular growth and circulation, very helpful for lymphatic movement, colds, arthritis, anemia, liver problems, low energy, or pneumonia. It stimulates the adrenal glands and improves strength, stimulates hemoglobin production (helpful for anemics).
Yellow: Encourages mental clarity, nervous system, and digestive tract. It heals pores and scar tissue. Used to treat gas, diabetes, eczema, and constipation.
Green: The universal healing color, relaxes thoughts and muscles and nerves. Encourages peace and harmony, lowers blood pressure and soothes the autonomic nervous system and helping heart problems, ulcers, cancer, headaches, and flu.
Blue: Eases symptoms of pain, anxiety, and depression. Some research shows blue cools down inflammation, lowers fevers, helps high blood pressure and relieves migraines. Other research has shown blue is effective in reducing acne because the blue lights kill bacteria which is a major source of acne infections. It’s mentally relaxing, helpful for sleep problems, communication and speech problems. Reduces nervous problems and increases feelings of being positive and well.
Orange: Frees the mind, combines physical energy with mental wisdom. Cheering, warm, non-constricting, helps us embrace and assimilate new ideas. An emotional stimulant, helps us lose inhibitions, bringing joy and zest for life. Helps repair kidneys, cough, seizure disorders, cramps, and sinus infections.
Violet: Heals diseases of the scalp, sciatica, tumors, meningitis, cramps, concussion. It is often recommended for neurological pain caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. Nourishes brain cells, purifies thoughts and feelings and encourages inspiration and spirituality. Helps us tap our own wisdom and inner strength, artistic talent and creativity. Da Vinci said you can increase power of meditation tenfold by meditating under violet rays, such as in stained glass church windows.
White: This is the most common color used in LED color therapy. It uses the three primary colors (Red, Green, & Blue), making it easy to receive the benefits from all the colors used for color therapy. Research has shown that white light can even increase vitamin D levels!
The Bottom Line
I realize owning an infrared sauna may not be in the budget for everyone nor does everyone have the extra space to own one. I adore my Health Mate infrared sauna and know how important detoxification is, but I wrote this post to share my experience and to help others who may be considering getting a sauna or learning about how infrared therapy may help you so you can seek out a practitioner who owns one. Hopefully all my research and comparison shopping will be helpful to you! Here’s the link again to request information to participate in our Group Buy so you can get wholesale pricing and save about 40%!! Click HERE and then request to see the Primally Inspired Group Buy Price Sheet.
*****UPDATE***** Health Mate saw this blog post! And because of my large readership, they offered to give us wholesale pricing, reserved only for their large wholesale clients if we participated in a Group Buy!!!! How cool is that?! To participate in our group buy click HERE and then request information to see the Primally Inspired Group Buy Price Sheet. It’s about 40% off their regular prices – SO COOL!!!!!
I’d love to hear your results if you’ve ever used an infrared sauna! Let me know your experience by leaving a comment below
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