WHY USE AN INFRARED SAUNA?
The modern world is full of environmental toxins. It is estimated that there are over 80,000 toxic chemicals used regularly in the US. There are over 500 chemicals stored in our body and the average individual has at least seven pesticides tested in their urine (1, 2).
It is imperative to have a daily detoxification lifestyle to get these unwanted toxins out of our system. The major detoxification organs in the body include the liver, kidneys, skin, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system and urinary tract. The major eliminatory processes include respiration, urination, defecation and perspiration.
Due to the amount of toxins in our 21 st century society health is absolutely dependent upon optimal eliminatory channels. Infrared sauna’s help the body to maximize toxic elimination through perspiratory channels (3, 4).
HOW DOES IT WORK:
Glow’s infrared sauna is Far Infrared technology (FIR), which is a non-invasive form of light therapy that penetrates the body as much as three inches. Optimal FIR wavelengths vary in size between 5.6 microns and 20 microns. This process heats muscle tissue and internal organs without heating the surrounding air. This helps the organs and tissues push toxins into the blood stream where they can be eliminated through the perspiration process (5).
Infrared wavelengths have the ability to stimulate multiple pathways in the body. These pathways include liver detoxification metabolic pathways, kidney filtration and elimination and fat cell mobilization. It also kills off pathogenic organisms and improves the immune system, reduces stress and stimulates metabolism which enhances healthy weight loss (6).
BENEFITS OF INFRARED TECHNOLOGY
FIR technology can penetrate between 1 ½ – 3 inches into the surface of the body. This has been shown to decrease the size of water clusters in the body which gives them greater mobility and access to body tissues. This enhances cell membrane tone and functionality which helps the cell to absorb nutrients and excrete toxins more effectively. This effect also improves circulatory patterns and toxin release through perspiration (5).
The FIR sauna has been shown to lower lactic acid levels, stimulate endorphins, kill pathogenic microorganisms and strengthen the immune system. It also detoxifies cells by vibrating ionized bonds, stops swelling and inflammation and improves blood and lymphatic circulation. The increase in core temperature
TREATMENT PROTOCOLS:
It is important for individuals not to overdo themselves in an infrared sauna but instead to allow it to gradually pull toxins. Most experts recommend the first session to be about 5 minutes and then to add 30 seconds per session until you reach 15-30 minutes. It essential to maximize hydration both before and after sauna usage. Also, a mineral and anti-oxidant rich diet is extremely critical for healthy sauna usage and detoxification processes.
Most infrared saunas run at about 110-140 degrees (we can alter this for your preference). Following the sauna, we will provide you with a towel so that you can wipe yourself down with cold water, which improves the detoxification process and closes down the pores, tones the skin and invigorates the body.
