What is Sauna Therapy?

Throughout history, humans have used sauna therapy – also known as hyperthermic therapy – as a safe and powerful way to detoxify. Used by most, if not all indigenous cultures for several millennia, these hot water and air baths were common among Mayans, Mexicans, Islamists, Russians, Japanese, Native Americans as well as the Greeks, Romans, Germans, Turks, etc. Sauna was brought to America by Finnish settlers. It was used for decades in America until modern medicine and its technologies outshone older ways to support optimal health.

Saunas heat the body, dramatically increasing blood flow to the vital organs and skin, and activate built-in cellular detox and repair functions. Sauna therapy is able to help the body clear out heavy metals as well as other environmental toxins. It also helps prevent the effects of aging by increasing cellular metabolism and supporting the immune system – these functions slow down as the body gets older.

Nowadays, sauna therapy can be steam-based, near infrared, and infrared spectrum devices. Many doctors offices and health spaces are starting to offer one or all of these services.

Benefits of Sauna Therapy

The benefits of sauna therapy in general are numerous for general health. We specifically use near infrared sauna created by one of our trusted affiliates SaunaSpace® which contains no EMF (electromagnetic frequency) radiation. Below are a few specific health benefits:

• Balances the Autoimmune System - Unlike active exercise, seating in a sauna allows your body to focus on healing and detoxification because your body’s energy is not being used for movement. This allows the parasympathetic system (rest and digest) to take charge rather than the sympathetic system (fight or flight).
• Produces Heat Shock Proteins – Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are special proteins the body makes when heated up. These proteins enhance the immune system as well as improves energy production, respiration, elimination, and more in the body’s cells.
• Normalized Low Body Temperature – Enzymes in the body function best at an adequate body temperature, and those with a cooler body temperature have impaired enzyme activity.
• Heavy Metal Detoxification – Research has found sweating induces detox of heavy metals through the skin including nickel, lead, copper, arsenic, mercury, etc.
• Cardiovascular System Support – Sauna therapy supports several body systems, but especially the cardiovascular system. Regular use of sauna has been found to support improved nitric oxide levels which increases smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation, leading to improve heart health.

If you'd like to learn more about how sauna therapy might be helpful for you, consider trying out our 15 minute Discovery Visit where you can come meet the doctor and tour our SaunaSpace Firelight sauna.

Note: The FDA has approved sauna as therapeutic devices, and your health insurance may provide reimbursement for the cost of a sauna. The IRS may also consider it a deductible health expense if prescribed by a doctor.

Resources:

1. Brunt, V. E., & Minson, C. T. (2021). Heat therapy: mechanistic underpinnings and applications to cardiovascular health. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 130(6), 1684–1704. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00141.2020
2. Hussain, J., & Cohen, M. (2018). “Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2018, 1857413. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1857413
3. Kihara, T., et al. (2002). ‘Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure.’ Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 39(5), 754–759. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01824-1
4. Kuan, W. H., Chen, Y. L., & Liu, C. L. (2022). Excretion of Ni, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg in Sweat under Two Sweating Conditions. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(7), 4323. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074323
5. Wilson, Lawrence. (2003). “Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing (7^th Edition).” L.D. Wilson Consultant, Inc.