June 23rd, 2014
New day, new trendy health claim. It’s tough to keep up and even tougher to know which are worthy of your wallet. We break ‘em down & call in the experts for the truth behind the trend.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Or so you thought. Infrared Saunas supposedly get you sweatin’ out the very small stuff – like cellular small. The sauna trend has been around for at least 2,000 years and we North Americans are finally following in the footsteps of those sauna-lovin’-Scandinavians.
“Far Infrared” heat is actually light waves that are undetectable by the eye. Although the rays infiltrate deep below the surface of the skin, they’re not damaging to us. In fact, the waves supposedly resonate with the frequency of our cells and release chemicals and toxins from them, to be sweat out from the skin.
Unlike your average steam sauna, infrared saunas are dry - which ups the ante on sweating and detoxification. Far infrared light specifically is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and directly stimulates energy production and triggers regeneration of tissues.
That’s some pretty powerful stuff.
The ABCs of ailments infrared can potentially help alleviate:
- Arthritis
- Acne
- Cancer
- Chronic fatigue
- Heart conditions
- Pain
- Weight loss
- and more!
Sound too good to be true? We put it to the experts.
Dr. Carla Cupido: “The pool of research on infrared (IR) saunas for medical treatment isn’t deep. However, we’ve learned that in some populations, statistically significant improvements in pain were noted during and post-IR sessions, while adverse effects for those who can safely tolerate heat were minimal to non-existent. From the little evidence we have, I see IR sauna sessions as an opportunity for particular individuals to minimize pain, improve their quality of life and simply just feel better.”
Kristen Stuart: “I began implementing the use of an infrared sauna as part of my own self-care program several years ago. I enjoy the detoxifying benefits of the sauna, which benefits my skin and organs as it helps draw out toxins from my body and improves circulation while the heat soothes any aching muscles. I also find the infra-read sauna offers a warm retreat in which I can unplug from outside distractions and enter a quieter, more relaxed state. It’s a sweet dose of bliss for body, mind and spirit!”
Find a sauna in your city (listed below) and let us know below how your sweaty new habit goes!
Niki Boileau from Vancouver, British Columbia
Niki is a lover of learning - she’d study every imaginable topic if she could, including Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts. As her patient boyfriend will attest, she’s obsessed with going just a bit further to see around every bend on the beach and peak of land in the mountains. Her friends will tell you she likes to hug trees, occasionally walks too fast, and makes really tasty porridge. She’s a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Yoga Instructor and all-around life and wellness enthusiast.
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