Infrared
Extensive clinical research has documented a wide range of observations about the wellness benefits of infrared heat.
Studies show that infrared can assist with pain relief, weight loss, detoxification, skin rejuvenation, relaxation and inducing sweat.
As discussed in the Sweating 101 blog, perspiration is necessary for overall health.
You might be thinking to yourself, “I got this, I produce a ton of perspiration while I’m exercising,” and
that’s a valid point… but it’s what the sweat is made of that matters. The sweat normally produced by exercise is approximately,
95%-97% water.
On the other hand, the sweat produced while immersed in infrared heat is from 80-85% water (Cornbleet).
The non-water portion that remains after spending time in IR immersion is principally cholesterol, fat (Broer), toxic heavy metals,
soluble toxins, sulfuric acid, ammonia, sodium, and uric acid (Gunzler & Gremlich). This means that integrating infrared sessions with
your workout routine can be extremely effective. In addition, the sweat produced during an infrared session can contain up to 20% dissolved
solids versus 3-5% from normal sweat (Widmaier, Raff, Strang & Vander).
Hence the reason that infrared is so effective in assisting the body with detoxification and weight loss.
Weight Loss
Fad diets and weight loss pills are out! Take a holistic approach to shedding some pounds by
choosing healthy foods, adequate exercise and the use of infrared.
Sauna therapy has been studied by the Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of
Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan in 2003 and their findings were definitely something to talk about!
They noticed a decrease in body weight and body fat after patients were repeatedly treated in infrared saunas for two weeks,
the results they saw revealed “repeated sauna therapy is useful in the treatment of obesity” (Biro, 2003, p.1248).
According to Dr. Flickstein, infrared body wraps are around 25% more effective than infrared saunas due to the proximity of the
infrared to the body and the length of time a client can spend in a body wrap.
Is it true that only water weight is lost?
About 65% of the human body is made up of water.
During an infrared session the body’s core temperature is raised, which stimulates sweat production and allows the body to release toxins,
fats through the sweat glands. Hydration is incredibly important because we need water not only to survive but also to produce sweat.
Getting your glisten on while sweating at the gym or on a run is also important but the key to a successful infrared session is, well, the
infrared. By penetrating approximately 1.5 inches into the body infrared can promote the release of toxins, fats and cholesterol that will not
be replaced when you rehydrate. During an infrared session the body can release up to 20% fats and toxins, this is in comparison to
about 3-5% released during traditional exercise. And this is one of the major differences between infrared wraps and traditional wraps.
Infrared can provide results for clients that other wraps cannot.
Allergies
Can’t stop sneezing! If you don’t suffer from allergies or allergic rhinitis (AR) you most likely know someone who does. According to the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, there is approximately $5.6 billion being spent annually for allergy sufferers. In their 2007 study, 31 people experiencing allergic rhinitis had a far-infrared emitter placed in front of their face/nasal region for a week at 40 minutes a day. The participants would then rate how their symptoms (eye itching, nasal itching, nasal stuffiness, rhinorrhea and sneezing) affected them throughout the day. Most of them noticed that all symptoms were improved and smell impairment started to improve during the last treatment. This led authors, Hu and Taoyuan to the conclusion that “far infrared therapy could improve the symptoms of AR and might serve as a novel treatment modality for AR.”
Pain Relief
Body pain is a common complaint for many. During exposure to infrared the infrared waves penetrate into the body and this can result in
speedy healing benefits through increased blood flow and tissue oxygenation. This process can also provide the body more energy to heal.
A study by Matsushita in 2008 found that chronic pain patients experienced nearly a 70% reduction in their pain after one infrared therapy
session!
Sometimes, pain can be related to or caused by ischemia which defined as inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body.
During infrared sessions blood flow increases from 5-7 quarts up to 13 quarts a minute (Imamura, 2001, p. 1084) and this increase can
contribute to healing and feelings of relief.
We hear from consumers who have fibromyalgia, arthritis and chronic pain frequently and we love hearing them say that infrared sessions
are part of their pain relief plan.
Wound Healing
Your skin is the protector of your body! It covers your bones, muscles and internal organs from the external environment and protects you from infections, diseases, toxic chemicals, and viruses. When you are wounded and the skin becomes damaged, it can allow harmful compounds and infections to enter the body. According to Whelan and the American Institute of Physics (2001), human cell growth has been observed to increase from 155%-171% and wound size decreased by 36% after the application of infrared heat. So not only can infrared assist with soothing the body but it can actually promote healing as well!
Far Infrared Sauna Therapy FAQs:
A. The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into three segments by wavelength measured in microns. 5.6 to 1000 microns is "far" infrared. This invisible band of light warms objects without warming the air between the source and the object. For example, about 80% of the sun's rays fall into the infrared range
A. It duplicates the healthy far infrared frequencies. Tissues selectively absorb these rays as the water in the cell
reacts in a process called "resonant absorption".
o Raising your basal metabolism; the rate at which you burn calories when resting.
o Sweating out fat, cholesterol, heavy metals, acids and toxins that won't be replaced when your rehydrate.
Studies have shown that these solids can constitute 15-20% of the volume of sweat produced through effective infrared
immersion as via Fitness Wrap, as compared with only 3%-5% in sweat produced via exercise or use of hot air saunas.
o Sweating consumes approximately 0.586 calories (kcal) per gram of sweat produced, and a Fitness Wrap
session can induce 3-5 times more sweat than exercise alone will produce, all while you are relaxing.
o Infrared saturation can rebalance metabolism directly.
o Expelling the usually hard to remove heavy metals in your sweat can allow for rebalancing of both your digestion and metabolism.
o Extra conversion of carbs and fats directly to energy is promoted as blood flow to your to your capillaries is increased.
o As organic acids are purged your fasting insulin levels may drop toward normal thus stopping your body from being
pushed to store carbs as fat.
A. Do not eat anything for 1 hour before your sauna treatment. You will drink water before, and after your treatment. This helps to flush out toxins. Your weight and measurements will be taken. You will then get a dry brush done, and Slimming lotion will be applied to your body. You will then slip into a disposable plastic suit and be wrapped in the infrared blanket. You can bring your own music and listen to it on your phone, or you can listen to the music in the spa room. Be prepared to get hot, sweat and detox during the session. Relax and enjoy every deep heating, deep tissue-detoxifying moment.
A. You will then shower. After a relaxing shower, you will drink water with electrolytes to replace electrolytes lost during your treatment. You should expect to feel relaxed, renewed, rejuvenated and very calm.
A. Some people who are used to detox, saunas and/or sweating a lot, will actually sweat from beginning to end of their sauna. Others who are not used to it, may take 45 minutes in the heat of the sauna before they begin to sweat. But eventually, everyone sweats and sweats A LOT!. We will provide you with water, and towels for each session you have.
A.The beneficial side effects may include: stimulation of the immune system, cardiovascular conditioning, weight loss, calorie expenditure, pain relief, cellulite reduction, decrease in stress levels and excretion of heavy metals.
A. Yes, if you have hemophilia, MS, are pregnant (or are a nursing mother), or if you are currently seeking medical attention and are on drugs for a specific condition, you should not use far infrared sauna therapy.
A. Each Session is for 1 hour
A. It costs $150.00 for a 60 min Session or 3 Sessions for $399.00
A. The amount of calories that anybody burns depends on many factors. IR immersion that raises your body temperature increases your
metabolism which also contributes to loss of weight. Since Fitness Wrap has a built in 25% greater IR energy saturation versus a sauna,
due to the absence of an air gap between you and its heaters, it is able to heat you more effectively than Infrared Saunas can.
However, the amount you sweat , raise your metabolism and lose weight will be determined by several additional factors beyond time and
repetition, including without limitation:
a) Your diet between sessions.
b) Your exercise status between uses.
c) Your hydration status when using the Fitness Wrap (i.e. drinking water before using the wrap and remaining hydrated while in it too).
You will continue to burn calories even after your treatment.