Natural Communities Magazine A magazine devoted to the local natural wellness culture.

410 Main St
La Crosse, WI 54601
www.simplylivingonline.com
 608-788-1192

1117 S. Farwell,
Eau Claire, WI 54701
www.justlocalfood.com
 715-552-3366

Infrared sauna therapy offers a wonderful combination of heat, infrared light, and color therapy that can greatly benefit general health and wellbeing. Reports from patients and physicians indicate this form of sauna therapy is even more effective than traditional saunas or the far infrared type of saunas.

Why Use Saunas?

The Value of Sweating. The skin is the largest organ of elimination. Studies prove that one can eliminate both toxic metals and toxic chemicals through the skin. However, in most everyone, the skin is congested and underactive. Many people hardly sweat. Daily sauna therapy slowly restores the skin as a major organ of elimination. Anything that can be eliminated through the kidneys may also be eliminated through the skin, and the skin can help reduce the burden on the kidneys. This is important in the elimination of toxic metals such as mercury and others.

Drastically Improved Circulation. Heating the body with an infrared sauna shunts blood away from the internal organs and toward the skin in an effort to dissipate the heat. This has several important effects. Circulation and oxygenation are greatly enhanced, which helps with toxin elimination. Moving blood to the periphery of the body also helps inhibit the sympathetic system, which in turn assists detoxification. Another effect is to relieve stagnation of the blood in the internal organs such as the liver and kidneys, which in turn assists their functioning.

Inhibition of the Sympathetic Nervous System. A major benefit of infrared sauna therapy is to inhibit the fight-or-flight nervous system. This helps one relax, and helps regenerate and rejuvenate the body. The sympathetic nervous system is activated by toxins including mercury, and its action inhibits the immune system and the elimination of toxins. Heating the body and shunting blood to its periphery help ‘turn off’ the sympathetic nervous system.

Infrared Benefits. While traditional saunas are good for sweating, infrared penetrates the skin to heat from the inside. This enhances detoxification. Also the sauna stays much cooler, no preheating is required and the operating cost is less. Infrared is an anti-oxidant nutrient that is very compatible with human physiology. Near infrared has been found to be most helpful with wound healing and other restorative processes.

Light and Color Therapy. The infrared light sauna provides color therapy, a greatly underrated science. Red, orange and yellow emitted by the lamps assists the lower chakras where the organs of digestion and elimination reside. Benefits include improved digestion, improved adrenal activity and much more.

Low Cost and a Pleasant Therapy. A simple infrared lamp sauna using a frame can be built for $300.00. Kits are available for $549.00 including shipping. The operating cost of a low-temperature sauna is pennies a day. The therapy is comfortable because a low-temperature sauna only needs to heat up to 110 F.

When And How Often To Use A Sauna

For therapy at home, use a sauna daily, although you may start with several times a week if you are very toxic or debilitated. Always begin with 20-minute sessions for the first few weeks or so, as healing reactions can occur in some people when one begins with sessions that are longer. After a few weeks or months, most people can handle 30 to 60 minutes in a sauna.

If very debilitated, start with just 15 minutes or less inside the sauna. Increase the time in the sauna and work up to daily use as you are able to do so comfortably. The best times of the day to use your sauna are first thing in the morning and/or last thing at night. These are the times when one is most relaxed and will sweat the most.

Most people require two years or more of sauna therapy to release the bulk of the stored toxins in their body tissues.

Before A Sauna Session. Avoid heavy meals one or preferably two hours before a sauna session. Drink at least four ounces of water before entering a sauna and at least eight ounces after a session. Add sea salt, and one or preferably two tablespoons (or 8 to 16 tablets) of kelp to your daily diet. This is especially important if your water is free of minerals.

During A Session. One may wear light clothing in a traditional sauna. However, clothing interferes with the infrared rays in an infrared sauna. Wipe off sweat while in the sauna with a small towel. Meditate or relax during a sauna session. Talking or working are not as recommended, as the goal is to relax while in the sauna.

You may visualize absorbing the heat and radiant energy, and releasing toxins. Deep, slow breathing and sitting up tall are also most helpful. Listening to low tones can also enhance the effectiveness of a sauna session.

Finishing Up. How long to remain in a sauna depends on your health condition and how long you have been using saunas. The body temperature should not increase more than four degrees F. The pulse should not increase more than 50% over your resting pulse. End the session immediately if your heart begins to race, you notice that you have stopped sweating, or you feel very faint.

You will sweat more easily the more you relax. Within a few weeks to at most a few months, most people acclimate to the sauna’s heat. They sweat much more and can tolerate longer sessions. Sixty minutes is a maximum time per session for most people, unless medically supervised. Up to two one-hour sessions per day are safe for most fairly healthy people.

When finished with a sauna session, proceed to take a shower. It may be warm or even cool. It is best when the water is not too hot. Cleanse the body with a skin brush or loofa while in the shower. Brush all over the body, even the face and head. It may be painful at first. However, it soon feels wonderful as it stimulates circulation even more. Skin brushing can enhance the cleansing effect of a sauna session.

When possible, avoid most use of soap, as the body will be quite clean. Soap can leave a film and may clog the pores. Use shampoos and conditioners only if needed. Most contain chemicals toxic to the body. Also skip most oils, lotions and creams. These may also contain chemicals that are harmful. By combining saunas with a nutritional balancing program, in time, the body will not require lotions if the skin is presently dry.
After showering, drink eight or more ounces of water. Sit or lie down for at least 10 to 15 minutes. These simple steps allow the body to reap the full benefit of the sauna session.

Supervision And Safety. Pregnant women and children under five should completely avoid saunas. It is not that they are harmful. However, caution is always wisest in these instances. Young children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Continue prescribed medication while undergoing sauna therapy, unless you are directed otherwise.

Supervision during sauna therapy is most helpful. It is always recommended, especially if you are chronically ill. Having a friend or attendant nearby is also excellent while you are in a sauna.

All drugs, even including caffeine, are stored to some degree in the body tissues. Their elimination from storage sites may cause short-term drug effects that are similar to when a drug was ingested. If you have used LSD or other psychotropics, have an attendant or friend nearby, as a few have experienced full-blown LSD flashbacks.

Elimination of mercury and other toxic metals often causes temporary reactions such as rashes, diarrhea, headaches and others. Read about healing or purification reactions so you are familiar with them and how to handle them. My book, Sauna Therapy, devotes an entire chapter to this subject.

Overall, saunas are very safe for most people, provided you follow the procedures above. Always consult a person knowledgeable in sauna use if you have multiple sclerosis, a serious heart condition or other chronic illness.

An Integrated Healing Program. A healthful lifestyle greatly enhances the results of sauna therapy. Rest several times during the day, eat natural foods, breathe deeply and reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals at home, on the road and at work. Simplify your lifestyle to allow time and energy for healing to occur.

Dr. Larry Wilson, MD degree
www.drlwilson.com.
 Larry@drlwilson.com