Infrared saunas
- the secret therapy tool
Infrared saunas are thought to have originated from research
done by NASA in the sixties or eighties - depending on which web site
you read.
I've looked at the NASA products spin-off database from their
developments for space flight and I can't see any references to producing
the far infrared sauna.
However, digging a bit further I found an article by Dr. Aaron
M. Flickstein titled "Research on Far Infrared Rays". In it Dr. Flickstein
notes that,
"Dr. Tadashi Ishikawa, a member of the Research and Development
Department of Fuji Medical, received a patent in 1965 for a zirconia
ceramic infrared heater used in the first healing infrared thermal systems."
He then goes on to say that only Japanese medical practitioners
used infrared systems for 14 years. Until 1979 when they were released
for public use.
Infrared therapy was further refined and started selling in
the USA around 1981.
So it is conceivable that NASA began using it for astronauts
in the mid 1980's as some sauna web sites claim.
If you want the full detoxification benefits of an infrared
sauna it is important that you use it the right way.
An infrared sauna heats tissues to a greater depth compared
to a conventional sauna. So you do need to decide whether to get checked
out first before your infrared sauna session.
People Who Should Check Before Using An Infrared Sauna
If you're on prescription medication you should check with your
doctor and pharmacist whether the drug's effectiveness is reduced by
heating with far infrared.
If you have a specific ailment you must talk through with your
doctor exactly how you intend to use an infrared sauna. There may be
no problem, however your doctor may be aware of certain diseases that
should not be heated higher than your "normal" core body temperature.
If you have silicone or metal implants or heart monitors or
pacemakers it makes sense to check with your doctor whether heating
with infrared heat will affect it, and you! Of course in the unlikely
event that you feel any pain stop using the sauna.
Using an infrared sauna shouldn't cause pain. If it does you
need to stop the session and either see the doctor or assess where the
pain is coming from. Only resume the sauna sessions when you're completely
satisfied that the cause of the pain has been removed.
People Who Should Not Use An Infrared Sauna
If you've an internal infection, such as a tooth cavity, a joint
injury or other infection you should wait until they have healed before
using the infrared sauna.
Pregnant women are wise to stop taking saunas until after birth
as the infrared sauna does heat down to a deep level of tissue. It's
not worth the risk to the unborn child.
If you're prone to excessive bleeding you should avoid infrared
saunas. This is because heating causes vasodilation which in the majority
of people is beneficial in haemophiliacs and others with a higher risk
it can increase the likelihood of bleeding.
Who Benefits From An Infrared Sauna?
Atheletes, footballers, golfers, in fact anyone who has an active
life style. What's more the infrared sauna can promote faster healing
of sprains and other injuries (leave 48 hours before using the sauna
to allow swelling and heat to reduce from the injury first).
Infrared heat will help recovery, with or without injury because:
1) Infrared heat increases the extensibility of collagen tissues
2) Infrared heat reduces stiff joints
3) Infrared heat reduces muscle spasms
4) Infrared heat helps with pain relief
5) Infrared heat increases blood flow to promote healing.
So it's also useful for people with arthritic conditions and
also with leg or body ulcers because of the deeper penetrating heat
and the ability to get the blood flowing faster.
Skin conditions such as eczema, acne, nettle rash Psoriasis
and even blocked pores are all helped by infrared sauna therapy.
There is quite a list of medical conditions that are all alleviated
or improved with infrared sauna therapy.
It's certainly helpful when it comes to reducing feelings of
stress as you're gently warmed by the infrared sauna. Maybe you should
give it a try?
