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Infrared Sauna Inflammation Treatment: How Heat Can Help You Feel Better
Chronic inflammation and acute inflammation have become an epidemic in the Western world. They are among the leading causes of death and disability, yet it is largely preventable.
Thankfully, there are ways to help reduce chronic inflammation and feel better.
One of those ways is through infrared sauna therapy. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of infrared sauna therapy for inflammation and how it can help relieve your condition.
Contents
Inflammation: Causes And Symptoms
Inflammation is a body’s immune response to fight infection and injury.
It’s a common problem encountered by many people and can cause pain and sensitivity.
Before we discuss the benefits of infrared sauna therapy for inflammation, let’s take a look at what causes inflammation in the body.
There are many different factors that can contribute to chronic inflammation, including:
• Stress
• Diet
• Environmental toxins
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
Inflammation can manifest itself in different ways depending on the person. Some common symptoms of inflammation include:
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Heat sensation
How Infrared Therapy Alleviates Chronic Inflammation
Infrared sauna therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic diseases such as inflammation. The heat from the infrared rays helps to reduce chronic inflammation and improve blood circulation. This, in turn, can help you feel better overall.
Some of the benefits of using infrared sauna therapy for chronic inflammation include:
Provides Pain Relief
Infrared saunas increase blood circulation by increasing the amount of oxygen in your body’s cells, which generates white blood cells to reduce inflammation and decrease chronic pain.
Increased blood flow also contributes significantly to the reduction in chronic pain.
The higher amount of ATP enhances the oxygenated blood supply. The increase in oxygen-rich hemoglobin circulation is absorbed into the tissues, where it reduces discomfort immediately.
Moreover, heat therapy releases endorphins that promote relaxation and better sleep. Known as the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins are happiness hormones released by the nervous system to cope with pain and stress.
Strengthens The Immune System
A stronger immune system lowers inflammatory effects. Weak immune systems create painful inflammation. They ae triggers that can heighten inflammation levels since such condition is related to immune system response in relation to probable infections.
When you use a sauna, your core body temperature increases and this helps to stimulate your immune system, resulting in lower chances of getting an inflammatory response.
Increases Flexibility And Range Of Motion
Inflammation in the joints, ligaments, and muscles results in swelling and may limit the range of motion. Regular use of infrared saunas has been shown to improve flexibility and capacity to move. This is likely due to the improved blood circulation and increased oxygenation of tissues.
Increases Blood Circulation
Infrared heat therapy tones the blood vessels, which improves circulation in all parts of the organ. It hyper-oxygenates the blood cells, which aids in efficient circulation throughout the system. This helps not only alleviate but even prevent inflammation in the body.
Improves Blood Pressure Levels
Inflammation is associated with high blood pressure levels. When the levels of inflammation is measured among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the C-reactive protein (CRP) is seen to be ten times higher than normal. measured among rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Saunas improve our blood pressure via vasodilation. That is a fancy word meaning the dilation or the opening up of blood vessels. The heat from the sauna’s infrared rays stimulates this process.
Enhances Sleep Quality Of Inflammation Patients
Inflammation brings pain and discomfort, which make it difficult to rest. The infrared sauna has a relaxing and calming effect. When your body is relaxed, it’s easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Reduction In Inflammation Markers
It’s now known that infrared sauna therapy can play a significant role in reducing chronic inflammation by stimulating antioxidant activity and promoting detoxification pathways.
This enhanced detoxification happens because the heat from the infrared sauna helps to open up your pores, which allows the toxins to be released from your body.
Relieves Stress And Anxiety That Inflammation Causes
Saunas aid in the reduction of bodily tension and the alleviation of chronic stress-related symptoms caused by chronic inflammation. They are prompted to produce more ATP as their cellular structure absorbs reflected light from the sun.
Infrared saunas promote relaxation and help relieve stress when one if suffering from inflammation. When you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode and releases cortisol. This hormone is responsible for our instinctual reaction to danger.
Cortisol is a good thing in short bursts, but if it’s constantly elevated due to chronic stress, it can lead to all sorts of health problems. It can cause weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, and even heart disease. Note that chronic stress raises inflammation and has been linked to an increased risk of heart illness and other chronic autoimmune conditions. This is further linked to a slew of health problems.
The heat from the infrared sauna helps to reduce cortisol levels and promote relaxation. It also improves your chronic stress response. Sauna can be helpful in managing anxiety and preventing its harmful effects on your health.
Studies Proving Infrared Saunas Work To Relieve Inflammation
There are several studies that have been conducted on the effects of repeated thermal therapy on inflammation.
One study showed that regular use of an infrared sauna for two weeks significantly reduced CRP (C-reactive protein), TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and IL-18 levels, which are markers of inflammation.
Another study showed that using a far infrared sauna three times per week for 30 minutes led to a decrease in inflammatory markers within just two weeks.
Far infrared light is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the vascular endothelium, which decreases the risk of blood clots and vascular disease. Far infrared saunas have been shown to improve inflammatory markers in autoimmune diseases.
Several studies have shown that far infrared therapy decreases delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is the muscle soreness the days following a workout, and is caused by inflammation.
These studies provide evidence that infrared saunas can help reduce inflammation and lead to optimal health.
How Often And How Long Should You Have Infrared Sauna Inflammation Treatments?
The number of times you should use an infrared sauna each week will vary depending on your individual situation.
However, it is generally recommended to use the sauna a few times a week for best results.
As mentioned in one of the studies included above, sauna use for 30 minutes three times per week was shown to significantly reduce markers of inflammation CRP and IL-18 in as little as two weeks.
It is thought that regular sessions in the infrared sauna may help prevent long-term health risks related to systemic inflammation, such as heart disease, cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, headache, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Why Is Far-Infrared Light The Best Infrared Light Type For Acute Inflammation?
Among infrared wavelengths in the infrared spectrum, far-infrared light is the safest and most beneficial for humans. It penetrates deepest into the body, providing the widest range of therapeutic benefits.
Near-infrared light is also good, but it doesn’t penetrate as deeply as far infrared saunas.
When you’re looking for an infrared sauna to help with inflammation, be sure to choose one that emits far-infrared light. This will provide you with the greatest range of health benefits.
Potential Side Effects Of Using An Infrared Sauna For Inflammation
Just like any other type of treatment, there are a few potential side effects associated with infrared sauna therapy for inflammation. These include:
• Sunburn
• Increased heart rate
• Dehydration
• Heat stroke
If you are considering using an infrared sauna to help reduce inflammation, be sure to speak with your doctor first. This will help ensure that it is the right choice for you and that you understand the potential risks involved.
How To Use Infrared Treatment For Inflammation
When using an infrared sauna to treat inflammation, there are a few things you can do to maximize the benefits:
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after your session to help avoid dehydration.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. These substances can dehydrate you and make it more difficult for your body to cool down.
Wear light clothing. The heat from the sauna will be more comfortable if you’re not wearing too many clothes.
Take breaks if needed. If you start feeling overheated or uncomfortable, take a break until your body has had a chance to cool down.
If you are currently taking medication or supplements for inflammation, be sure to speak with your doctor before using an infrared sauna. This will help ensure that the two therapies work well together and that you do not experience any harmful side effects.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from chronic inflammation, infrared sauna therapy can be an effective treatment for you. The heat from infrared radiation will help to calm inflammation and increase blood flow. As a result, you will feel better and your health generally becomes optimized.
While infrared treatment is effective, there are still potential risks that come with it. Be sure to speak with your doctor before starting infrared sauna therapy to make sure it is the right choice for you. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water and take breaks as needed during your sessions.
Do you want to get relief from inflammation? Try out the portable infrared saunas available in Sauna Area. See you there!
References:
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6131272/
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29897261/
