Far Infrared Saunas
It is estimated that over one million infrared thermal
systems have been sold in the Orient for whole-body
treatments. In addition, lamps tuned to the 2 to
25 micron wave band, are used for localized treatment
and relief of pain by over forty Chinese Medical
Institutions.
In Europe and Australia, lamps tuned to the same
2 to 25 micron wave band are employed together with
whole-body Thermal Systems for the removal of toxins.
These lamps are also used to promote the natural
healing of soft tissue injuries. Practitioners use
them to provide relief in chronic or intractable "permanent" cases
and to accelerate healing in newer injuries. Whole-body
infra-red therapy, with different technologies, has
been used for over eighty years by German physicians.
How Infrared Saunas Differ From Conventional Saunas
IR Thermal Systems use infrared energy to penetrate
the body's tissues to a depth of over 1 1/2".
Tests have shown that the energy output is tuned
so closely to the body's own radiant energy that
our bodies absorb close to 93% of the infrared waves
that reach our skin. By comparison, conventional
saunas must rely only on indirect means of heat:
first, on convection (air currents) and then, conduction
(direct contact of hot air with the skin) to produce
its heating effects. The IR sauna operates at temperatures
of 110° to 130°F versus 180° to 235°F
for hot-air saunas. Since conventional units require
30 to 90 minutes of warm-up before use, electricity
costs are reported to be somewhat higher than those
of IR units which warm up in 5 to 10 minutes.
Benefits of Saunas
Medical research has shown a vast number of benefits
associated with the use of saunas such as improved
circulation, cardiovascular conditioning, muscle
relaxation, improved skin conditions and burning
of calories.
- Cardiovascular Conditioning: As
the body works to cool itself, there is a substantial
increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic
rate. Blood flow during whole-body hyperthermia
is reported to rise from a normal 5 to 7 quarts
per minute to as much as 13 quarts per minute.
This benefit was recognized in the prestigious
Journal of the American Medical Association as
long ago as August, 1981:
"Many of us who run do
so to place a demand on our cardiovascular system,
not to build big leg muscles. Regular use of a
Sauna imparts a similar stress on the cardiovascular
system, and its regular use may be as effective,
a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning
of calories, as regular exercise."
- Caloric Consumption: "A moderately conditioned
person can easily sweat off 500 grams of sweat in
a sauna—the equivalent of running two to
three miles. While the weight of the water lost
can be regained by rehydration with water, the
calories will not be." Since IR Thermal systems are
reported to help generate two to three times the
sweat produced in hot-air saunas, in a thirty minute
session, the implication is that they may also
produce increased caloric consumption.
- Improved Skin Conditioning: Increased blood
circulation and deep cleansing of impurities improves
skin tone and elasticity. Research reports improvements
in acne, rashes, burns and skin lesions. Users
describe skin as "more
youthful and glowing."
- Removal of Toxins: In one study performed by
American researchers, the sweat of people using
a conventional sauna was found to be 95 to 97%
water while the sweat of those using an infrared
thermal system was 80 to 85% water with the non-water
portion principally cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins,
toxic heavy metals, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia
and uric acid. This unusually high concentration
of heavy metals and other fat-soluble toxins is
not found in the sweat from normal exercise.
Information taken from "Complementary Healing". |
