Heat Therapy… But with Less Heat

INFRA-RED SAUNAS ARE GAINING POPULARITY; HERE’S WHY

By Dylan Roche

If you’ve ever enjoyed a brief sit inside a sauna and left feeling refreshed and invigorated, there’s some science behind that—the short period of high heat is actually good for you. But now there’s a growing trend in how that heat gets applied to your body. Infra-red saunas have become increasingly popular.

Unlike traditional saunas, infra-red saunas don’t use steam or flame to heat up an entire enclosed space. Instead, these new types of saunas use electromagnetic lamps to deliver warmth directly to the skin, which can warm up your body without warming up the entire room. The benefit to this is that it’s much more comfortable— the temps usually hit somewhere between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit, versus the nearly 190 degrees Fahrenheit you might sit in with a traditional sauna—while still offering the therapy people look to get from heat.

What might that therapy look like?

For starters, high heat stimulates a response from the body similar to exercise: As the body works to cool itself, the heart rate increases, and blood vessels open up to drive blood flow to your skin. This improved circulation is good for recovery after intense exercise because it sends more blood (and more oxygen) to your muscles. People undergoing regular heat therapy will often see better heart health, lower blood pressure, and less chronic pain.

But there are mental and emotional benefits as well. Warmth is good for helping your body relax, so people who use infra-red saunas are less likely to experience bouts of depression and anxiety, and they may even enjoy improved sleep.

While scientific research supports the use of heat therapy in these regards, it’s important to note that there are some misconceptions about heat therapy that don’t have as much research to back them up. Don’t fall for the notion that the heavy sweating you experience in a sauna is necessary for removing toxins from the body—your body does a sufficient job of detoxifying itself without excessive perspiration. In fact, this is one reason it’s important to be moderate in your use of heat therapy. Monitor your hydration to replace any water you lose from sweating, as you don’t want to become dehydrated. Additionally, never stay in a sauna for longer than 30 minutes, and don’t use the sauna more than three or four times per week. Even with the reduced heat you experience in an infra-red sauna, it’s important to remember the body is still being exposed to high temperatures and caution should be exercised.