Infrared Sauna Benefits for Varicose Veins

Poor blood circulation is associated with varicose veins, which form when the valves within veins become damaged, causing them to twist and bulge. Infrared saunas heat the body with light sources that mimic natural sunlight, allowing heat to penetrate deeper than conventional saunas. According to Accelerated-Wellness, a health and fitness website, infrared saunas allow individuals to sweat more than conventional saunas, at cooler temperatures (i.e., 110 to 130 degrees infrared versus 180 to 235 degrees conventional).

Increases Blood Circulation

• Infrared sauna heat therapy increases blood circulation, lowering blood pressure and promoting blood flow. Since poor blood circulation is a primary cause of varicose veins, spending time in an infrared sauna may be quite beneficial. Finnish researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that regular sauna users' blood vessels are more elastic due to the continuous dilation and contraction from the sauna's heat, compared with the blood vessels of non-users. In addition, Accelerated-Wellness states that infrared saunas increase blood flow levels at rates similar to those experienced during physical exercise.

Promotes Weight Loss

• E Medicine Health indicates that obesity and a distended belly are among the causes of varicose veins. According to WaSauna, an infrared sauna retailer, infrared sauna heat therapy can promote weight loss, which may prevent the onset of varicose veins in overweight people. The therapy accelerates the metabolic process of organs and endocrine glands, allowing users to burn calories faster. Furthermore, Accelerated-Wellness notes that individuals in infrared saunas sweat two to three times as much as those in conventional saunas, and Japanese researchers found that people experience weight loss from the energy used to produce sweat as well as the act of sweating itself.

Relieves Strain on the Prostate

• Straining from an enlarged prostate contributes to the formation of varicose veins in men, especially in the legs. Infrared sauna heat therapy is reported to reduce the swelling of an enlarged prostate, which can lessen the chance of varicose veins developing. The heat also helps to relax the body and reduces pressure on the skeleton.