Saunas are a popular wellness treatment that can help you unwind and relax both mentally and physically. On top of this, saunas may have a variety of other health and wellness benefits.
Physically, a sauna can help you sweat out toxins and relax your muscles. Mentally, sauna treatments can help you feel relaxed, yet revived. If you’ve looked into the benefits of saunas, you may have noticed that there are multiple different types. So, how do you know which is best?
At Recovery Lab, we offer infrared sauna treatments to deliver all the healing power of heat, with some surprising added benefits. What’s so great about infrared saunas? Keep reading to learn more about how they’re different from traditional saunas, how to prepare for your appointment, and how this treatment can benefit you.
What’s a Sauna?
A sauna is typically a small, insulated room heated to a temperature ranging between 70°C to 100°C. The purpose of this heat is to raise the skin temperature to around 40°C, resulting in a heightened heart rate and increase in sweat production. Sitting in a sauna, for even a short amount of time, is believed to benefit your health and wellness in a variety of ways.
Depending on the type of sauna you use, you may experience a dry heat with less humidity, or more of a moist heat, with a higher humidity.
What Are the Different Types of Saunas?
There are several types of saunas, based on how the room is heated.
Wood-Burning Saunas
In wood-burning saunas, wood is used to heat the room. With these types of saunas, the humidity is often on the lower end of the spectrum, while the heat is quite high.
Electrically Heated Saunas
Similar to wood-burning saunas, electrically-heated saunas pair low humidity with higher temperatures. Instead of wood being used to heat the room, electrically heated saunas are heated with an electric heater, typically attached to the floor.
Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas are different from wood-burning and electrically-heated saunas because they use light waves to heat your body, not the entire room. In infrared saunas, temperatures are typically lower, but you can still achieve the same results.
Steam Rooms
While steam rooms are different from saunas, they are another type of heat therapy that offer similar benefits. Unlike saunas that use a dry heat, a steam room involves high humidity and moist heat.
Learn More About Infrared Saunas
As previously mentioned, infrared saunas don’t heat the entire room. Instead, infrared lamps are used to warm your body directly. In an infrared sauna, electromagnetic radiation is used to heat your body before heating the air, providing you with the same benefits, without the high heat.
For people who are bothered by the high temperatures in a traditional sauna, but still want to experience the physical and mental perks, an infrared sauna is a great alternative. With this treatment, you can experience an intense sweat at a more comfortable temperature.
The Benefits of Infrared Saunas
The heat from an infrared sauna can increase your heart rate, promote healthy blood circulation, and help you produce sweat. These physical changes can benefit your body and mind in numerous ways, including:
- Physical & mental relaxation
- Reduced inflammation, stiffness & soreness
- Improved athletic recovery
- Improved sleep
- Enhanced weight loss when combined with diet and exercise
- Reduce stress levels
- Pain management
- Skin benefits
To learn more about how infrared sauna therapy can help you, contact us at Recovery Lab today!
What to Know Before You Go
To receive the maximum results, and to stay safe during your treatment, there are a few things you should know before your first session. We recommend taking the following precautions when using an infrared sauna:
- Avoid alcohol before your session
- Don’t use an infrared sauna if you feel unwell or have a fever
- Always move slowly in the sauna to avoid feeling light-headed
- Drink lots of water during your sauna session
- Always wait for your body to cool down before doing anything else after your session
- If you have any health conditions, talk to your doctor before your first session
At Recovery Lab, we can help you decide whether or not infrared sauna therapy is a good option for you. Contact us today if you have any questions!
Tips for Using an Infrared Sauna
If you decide to give an infrared sauna therapy a try, you should know that there are certain factors that can be adjusted according to your needs. At Recovery Lab, your infrared sauna session will be tailored to you, and we can discuss your wellness goals to ensure your treatment provides you with the maximum benefit.
Temperature
The average temperature for an infrared sauna ranges from 37°C to 65°C. If it’s your first time, we recommend starting at the lowest temperature and working your way up after a few sessions.
Length of Time
If you use an infrared sauna regularly, you can enjoy up to 30 minutes of bliss. For first-time users, we typically recommend 10 to 15-minute sessions to help your body get accustomed to the heat.
Clothing
How you dress during your infrared sauna session is completely up to you. It’s important to feel comfortable, so wear whatever you feel best in, whether it’s workout clothes or a swimsuit.
Number of Sessions
The number of sessions you take per week depends on your needs and preferences. While some people use the sauna every day, others can only use it a few times a week. At Recovery Lab, we can help you determine a schedule that works for you.
Book a Service at Recovery Lab
Are you interested in what infrared sauna therapy can do for you? Book your treatment at Recovery Lab today!
If you have more questions about infrared saunas, or any of our other services, please feel free to contact us. Our team is always here to help!
