Far Infrared and Infrared Sauna

The infrared sauna is a medical application of sauna principles that enhance the body’s capacity to detoxify. In a regular sauna, perspiration is primarily water and salt. Perspiration in an infrared sauna has up to 15 percent of what are called particulates—chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxins that are seldom eliminated in a regular sauna. In addition, the body’s enzymes work up to 5,000 times better when using this type of sauna. An infrared sauna is much more effective than regular saunas in helping the healing process along.

We need to detoxify as a necessary part of healing. These toxins also affect the brain. Some toxins live in the fatty tissue of our bodies and our brains. Over the years we have been exposed to many insecticides and other chemicals. The infrared sauna allows these toxins to be carried out through the skin.

The infrared sauna has a wide variety of applications, from heavy metal and chemical detoxification to weight loss and the relief of pain to treatment of high blood pressure. Mercury, for example, is eliminated from the body through the sweating induced by a far infrared sauna and then evaporates from the skin. This takes pressure off the kidneys to do this work of detoxification. Under the infrared heat, the skin becomes a third kidney. This is a much safer way of eliminating mercury, which can damage the kidneys.

Infrared energy is a form of heat, transmitted by light. This wavelength of light is not visible to human eyes. Infrared is a wavelength slightly farther from the visible red. We feel this form of light as heat. There is evidence that when used for 30 minutes daily, infrared light therapy can improve eyesight, treat ringing in the ears, eliminate skin tags, and improve joint function, among numerous other effects. Studies have also shown that red/infrared lights applied locally to the jaw can help heal cavitations or hidden infections in the jawbone.

Infrared energy is useful in therapeutic saunas. It warms objects without having to heat the air between, as in a regular sauna. Infrared heat penetrates one and a half inches below the skin surface, and can therefore cause the body to sweat when the temperature is only 120°F. The temperature in a regular sauna often reaches 180 to 225°F.

It is optimal to exercise for 15 minutes before the sauna, but not absolutely necessary. Two towels are required: one to sit on, and a second to wipe the perspiration. This last towel is very important for the beneficial effects of the sauna. Wipe off perspiration as soon as it appears on the skin. Also, throughout the sauna sip from a glass of alkaline water or a glass of water with electrolytes. The typical infrared sauna session is 30 minutes at 120°F. After the sauna, take a shower. Sit in the sauna daily for maximum benefit, although even once a week is helpful. For more information, see The Manual of Sauna Therapy, by Dr. Larry Wilson (www.drlwilson.com).

You may sit in the sauna daily for maximum benefit, although even once a week is helpful.