Benefits of an IR Sauna

Infrared (IR) saunas are an alternative to traditional steam saunas that have received some attention from medical researchers in the 21st century due to potential health benefits. The heat produced from IR heating elements is cooler (approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit compared with 185 degrees Fahrenheit) and easier to tolerate than the warm air in traditional saunas, but actually penetrates deeper into the body. This increase in body temperature causes sweating, increased heart rate and vasodilation (opening up of blood vessels) similar to what occurs during light exercise.

Cardiovascular Health

• A review article published in 2009 in the journal "Canadian Family Physician" stated that there is evidence supporting the use of IR saunas in treating some cardiovascular disease symptoms and risk factors. In one study reviewed, individuals suffering from premature ventricular contractions, a type of irregular heart rhythm, were treated with five, 15-minute IR sauna sessions a week, for two weeks. Compared to a control group that did not receive treatment, the sauna group experienced a clinically significant decrease in the frequency of their premature ventricular contractions. In another study, an identical IR sauna therapy protocol helped to significantly improve blood vessel function in patients suffering from congestive heart failure. IR sauna treatment has also been demonstrated to significantly lower elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which are risk factors for heart disease.

Mild Depression

• A study published in 2005 in the journal of Psychosomatic Medicine indicated that IR sauna treatment may help in reducing some symptoms associated with mild depression. The authors of the study stated that heating of the entire body results in sedative effects, due to the stimulation of heat sensitive nerve endings. The participants who underwent IR sauna treatment experienced significantly greater scores on a relaxation evaluation, decreased mental and physical complaints on psychological tests, and an increase in appetite among individuals that had appetite loss due to their depression.

Chronic Pain

• Some evidence supports the use of IR saunas for the management of chronic pain. For example, in a 2005 study published in the journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, individuals suffering from chronic pain were separated into an IR sauna group and a control group. The IR sauna group received four weeks of IR sauna therapy (15 minutes daily) and were then followed up on after two years. The patients who received treatment were significantly more likely to be able to work and also had improved sleeping scores compared to the control group. The IR sauna group also tended toward a reduction in pain symptoms, although the decrease in pain was not statistically significant. One concern noted with this study was that some of the measurement techniques used were not validated, so further studies would likely be needed to support these results.