Natural Living: The benefits of far infrared saunas

Since the beginning of recorded history Man has used saunas to ensure health and wellness. From Native American sweat lodges throughout North America down through the Mayan civilizations and across the planet to the Finnish saunas we know today, humans have benefited from the detoxifying effects of sweat produced in these sessions.

Today, we have learned to harness far infrared (FIR) energy and incorporate it into our saunas, thereby allowing heat to penetrate further into tissue than the traditional wet or steam sauna. It is this ability which allows far buried cells to release the toxins we accumulate every day. A FIR sauna can induce up to 2-3 times the sweat volume of traditional saunas while operating at significantly lower temperatures and still burn up to 600 calories in a 30 minute session. The infrared heat from a FIR sauna penetrates the skin and goes 2-inches deep inside the body while the body experience’s a sweat at 115 degrees, compared to a traditional sauna of 1/8th of an inch deep penetration and sweats at 180 degrees.

Recent research indicates FIR saunas can help the body to fight off colds as well as mobilize and facilitate the elimination of such toxins as mercury, aluminum, cadmium, silver, pesticides, gasoline and solvents and even the chemicals accumulated through everyday use of toothpaste. Dr. Dietrich Klinghandt of Germany has found through his research that 80-85 percent of sweat from FIR use is water while the rest is cholesterol, fat soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and even the uric acid which is linked to rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Dr. Sherry Rogers, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, states FIR saunas are the only known method for eliminating man-made toxins from our bodies. Dr. Robert O. Young found in his research that a FIR sauna provides the following benefits:

Speeds up metabolic processes of vital organs and glands, including endocrine glands.

Inhibits the development of pleomorphic microforms (fungi’s, yeasts, bacteria and molds) and creates a “fever reaction” of rising temperature that neutralizes them.

Increases the number of leukocytes in the blood.

Places demand on the heart to work harder thus, exercising it and also producing a drop in the diastolic blood pressure.

Stimulates dilation of peripheral blood vessels thus, relieving pain (including muscle pain) and speeding the healing of sprain, strain, bursitis, arthritis, and peripheral vascular disease symptoms.

Promotes relaxation thereby creating a feeling of well-being.

We at Sierra Acupuncture & Healing Arts use Sunlighten FIR Saunas, which utilizes only the best most up to date carbon-based technology. We invite you to enjoy the benefits of these saunas to aid you on your journey toward vibrant health.