Crank up the heat! Saunas have been used for centuries in cultures all around the world to promote health and wellness. Whether you’re seeking relief from joint pain, or looking for improved cardiovascular function, using a sauna can help you along your wellness journey. Today we’re taking a deeper dive into the health benefits of sauna use and how you can incorporate saunas into your healthcare routine.

What are Saunas?

There are a few types of saunas out there, including dry saunas heated with fire and steam saunas heated with water. At Pursue Wellness, we offer the use of 3-in-1 infrared sauna from Sunlighten at our Wellness Center. Infrared saunas make use of infrared light, allowing benefits at a lower temperature than traditional saunas. This technology makes for an incredibly comfortable experience that is tolerated by more individuals.

Health Benefits of Sauna Use

Joint Pain Relief: Infrared saunas are clinically shown to reduce joint pain, especially in people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. They also have the potential to reduce stiffness and fatigue. If you are suffering from joint aches and pains due to arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other chronic pain conditions, try incorporating sauna sessions into your routine.

Heart Health: Saunas can help promote your cardiovascular health in several ways. Studies have shown that sauna use can lower your blood pressure, potentially through one of several mechanisms. High temperatures cause an increase in blood flow and allows your blood vessels to dilate or expand, naturally lowering your blood pressure and improving blood circulation throughout your body. Lower blood pressure is important for overall health, especially when over half of American adults suffer from hypertension. Improving your cardiovascular function through infrared sauna use is a great way to help prevent the onset of life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Improved Skin: A session in the sauna can do wonders for your skin. Sweating is a natural detox for your pores, as it purges dirt, oils, and other toxins. Research has shown that this detoxification through sauna use may help reduce acne and acne scarring, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce the appearance of aging.

Weight loss: Infared sauna use has been shown to promote weight loss, as it heats up your core body temperature and induces sweating. This also leads to an increase in blood flow and heart rate, and can help reduce aches and pains caused from strenuous activity (like exercise). In a 2009 study, Sunlighten’s infrared saunas were shown to help lower weight and waist circumference in just a three-month period. While everyone can benefit from this, if you have a medical condition (such as osteoarthritis, cardivascular, or respiratory problems) that prevents you from participating in traditional exercise programs, then these Sunlighten saunas can be a good alternative for you.

Autoimmune Relief: Sauna use has the potential to benefit people dealing with a range of autoimmune conditions, including Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s Disease, and Mold Toxicity. From reducing joint pain to increasing circulation, regular sauna use can provide relief for many of the symptoms associated with these conditions. Autoimmune diseases can be challenging to live with, so finding some comfort through sauna therapy can be life-changing for many.

Relaxation: Not only do regular sauna sessions result in physical health improvements, they can also improve your mental wellness. Infrared therapy has a soothing and stress-relieving effect for many people and promotes relaxation and mindfulness. Living in a state of chronic stress can wreak havoc on multiple body systems, from digestion to immunity, so taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Heat allows your muscles to relax and puts your mind at ease, providing natural relaxation and release of stress.

If you are interested in trying out an infrared sauna and seeing what kind of health benefits you may experience, schedule an appointment at our Wellness Center. We’d love to see you and discuss ways to help you live a happy, healthy life!

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