Massage by Design is adding a Far Infrared Sauna to further benefit our clients with detoxification and potential weight loss. Below is an introduction to the infrared sauna as well as the many health benefits provided by infrared energy. Please check back with us often to learn when this service will be available.

What Is Far-Infrared Heat?

By definition, infrared heat is light produced by the sun. This is the heat you feel penetrate or burn your skin when you stand in the sun...and the same heat you miss when you walk into a shaded area. Infrared energy is also given off as body heat.

The human body can also absorb infrared heat. Infrared energy is measured in wavelengths called microns. The human body can best absorb infrared energy ranging from 3 to 50 microns. However, the best infrared heat absorption occurs at 9.4 microns.

What is Far Infrared Ray (FIR)?

Far Infrared Radiant heat is a completely safe form of naturally occurring energy that heats objects by "direct light conversion." Direct light conversion warms only the object and does not raise the temperature of the surrounding free air. Far infrared radiant heat is not ultraviolet radiation but a narrow band of energy in the 5 to 15 micron level. This type of energy has the ability to travel 2-3" deep into body tissues to increase blood circulation and nourish damaged tissue.

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The sun is the primary source of radiant energy, but not all of this energy is beneficial. Although life needs energy from the sun, too much sunlight damages the skin (i.e. sunburn, skin cancer, etc). Far infrared radiant heat provides many of the health benefits of natural sunlight without any of the dangerous side effects of solar radiation.

Is far infrared heat better than traditional steam heat?

Infrared heat has some distinct advantages over traditional steam heat saunas. Infrared heaters warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight. Far infrared heat therapy uses the wavelengths of the visible and non-visible light spectrum of sunlight that heats the body normally.

Traditional steam saunas raise the temperature of the air to a very high level within the steam chamber to warm the body. Some people find it difficult to breathe in this extremely warm air.

Far infrared saunas heat the body quite differently. Instead of heating the air within the steam chamber/room, far infrared saunas heat the body directly. As a result, far infrared saunas generate much lower power bills and deeper tissue penetration. In the far infrared sauna, the body perspires and receives all of the healthy benefits but avoids the harmful and extremely hot air of a traditional steam sauna.

Traditional steam saunas are more likely to spread and cultivate bacteria because of the humid air condition created. Conversely, far infrared steam saunas create a more sanitary environment.

Why Is Far Infrared Radiant important to the human body?

When far infrared radiant penetrates through skin to the subcutaneous tissues, it transforms from light energy into heat energy. The thermal effect within the deep layers of the tissues causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate, promoting better blood circulation. In addition, the heat produced helps to rid the of body toxins and metabolic wastes through sweating.

Additional Health Benefits of Far Infrared Saunas Summarized:

Better Circulation and Increased Energy
The far infrared sauna emits energy that is absorbed by human cells, causing a physical reaction called "resonance". Thus the cellular activities are instantly invigorated, resulting in better blood circulation and overall improved metabolism.

Weight Loss Aid
Far infrared sauna heat therapy can aid in weight loss by speeding up the metabolic process of vital organs and endocrine glands resulting in substantial caloric loss.

Maintain Cardiovascular Health
The far infrared sauna increases heart rate and blood circulation. Heart rate increases as more blood flow is diverted from the inner organs towards the extremities of the skin, without raising blood pressure.

Speed Recovery from Injuries
Far infrared steam sauna generates heat vasodilatation of peripheral blood vessels, bringing oxygen to joints and extremities, speeding the healing of sprains and strains, thus relieving pain and reducing the time it takes the human body to recover from an injury.

Detoxification
Increased metabolic rate causes extra toxic waste products to be purged from the body through the skin through perspiration.

Stress Reduction & Relaxation
Far infrared sauna heat treatment before a massage also helps prepare a client by loosening tight muscle tissues and promoting an overall increased state of relaxation.

Skin Beauty
Healthy tone and texture are promoted because far infrared sauna therapy increases blood circulation to carry increased amounts of nutrients to the skin.

Improved Immune System
By creating an "Artificial Fever", far infrared sauna heat has a positive effect on the immune system. Fever is a natural healing response of the body. The function of the immune system is increased automatically during a fever, while virus and bacterial growth is slowed, weakening its hold. This helps the body ward off invading organisms.