What are the benefits of an infrared sauna?

What is an infrared sauna?

To first know what an infrared sauna, it is important to know what sets it apart from normal saunas. For instance, something that sets them both apart is that while normal saunas use lamps to heat the air around you, infrared saunas use special infrared lamps to heat your body directly. Infrared saunas (IR saunas) use special infrared panels to easily penetrate human skin and heat your tissues first, before heating everything else around you. IR saunas can also operate at a lower temperature than normal saunas, being around 30-40 degrees less than a normal sauna’s low temperature but still remains just as efficient. 

A selling point pushed by manufacturers states that IR saunas don’t waste much with only about 20% of the heat given off released into the air but 80% of the heat goes directly into your body. Another reason to go with an IR sauna is that according to physical therapist Vivian Eisenstadt, the lower temperatures make the environment more tolerable which allows you to stay in the sauna longer, which then increases the impact of the sauna. 

As a workers comp doctor in Wilmington DE - we often see using infrared saunas as a great recovery tool. 

What are the benefits of using an infrared sauna?

Listed below are the benefits that users get from using an IR sauna, although keep in mind that these benefits are very similar to the benefits you usually get from any ordinary sauna. These include:

• Better sleep
• More relaxation
• Overall detoxification
• Loss of weight
• Pain relief from any sore muscles
• Relief from joint pain, which can be caused by arthritis
• Clear as well as tighter skin
• Improvement to your circulation
• Helps people with chronic fatigue syndrome

People have been using regular saunas for centuries now, and there is lots of research that proves the risks and rewards of regular saunas. With this knowledge, the public is able to know whether or not it is a smart idea to enter one. However, there is not nearly as much research for infrared saunas specifically. 

The lack of proven and trusted evidence will leave you only one source for any and all information for these saunas, but it could be a bit biased. The reason for this is that the only way to get much information about IR saunas is from their manufacturers, which obviously want their product to sell well. So far there hasn’t been much evidence to refute their claims, but keep in mind that there could be a chance that some of their information is surrounded by loose research or baseless claims to persuade the reader to opt for their specialized products. 

So far there hasn’t been much evidence as to why not use IR saunas except for the usual risks one takes when using any sauna, such as dehydration, overheating, interference with medicine, dangers to any pregnant women, users with heart disease, or users under the influence of drugs, alcohol and other substances. 

Although even if a single session doesn’t surpass or even meet your expectations, molded by the company that sells it to you, it’ll still leave you feeling refreshed and feeling better than before. Even if the extra claims as to why you should get use an IR sauna aren’t true, you’ll still receive the benefits that you’ll receive from using any sauna and it’ll still contribute to your health. The IR sauna is able to loosen up any and all stiff/tight muscles, reduce joint pain, and gives you time to yourself and to relax and calm down. Even if the only thing it gives you is some alone time, it could still be good for your mood, or give you a break from your busy life.

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