INFRARED FEATURED

Infrared Light and Sauna Health Benefits

Unseen Light.

Everything in our universe that is warm also gives off light.

Most people when they think of light might imagine sunlight on a summer day, or a light bulb in the evening.  But the visible light we can see, makes up just a tiny part of the light that bathes the world around us.

Infrared light was first discovered in 1800 by Sir William Herschel.  When passing sunlight through a prism and measuring the temperature of each colour in the spectrum,  he was surprised that the thermometer rose; even when placed outside of the red part of the spectrum; where there was no colour. He deduced that there must be a light source there beyond our ability to see it.

Infrared light had been discovered.

Since then of course many other light frequencies have been found. We are all familiar with X rays and gamma rays. Ultraviolet, micro and radio waves are pretty much harnessed and hidden in most western homes these days. 

So many of our modern devices and gadgets utilise light sources to perform actions we now accept as normal. But not many years ago it would have been thought of as miraculous. Remote control devices and microwave ovens being two obvious examples.

 

sunlight infrared

 

A Little Light Therapy

Most of us have heard of photosynthesis. The process that plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy. It is used or stored to provide fuel to the plant.

In the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into plant tissue, infrared light can triggers intracellular photobiochemical reactions in our body tissue.

Light therapy, and in particular infra red light therapy, enables what is called photobiostimulation, a cousin of photosynthesis.

Virtually all light has some penetration properties that are absorbed by the dermis outer skin layers. Infrared light however penetrates deeper.  It starts a chemical reaction to increase cellular metabolic rate. This helps to repair tissue and increases vascular activity. It can quickly leads to reduction in pain and inflammation.

 Infrared Sauna

Most of us are at least familiar with traditional saunas. Many of us have actually used one. The whole point of them is to create a super heated atmosphere to induce profuse sweating to aide the elimination of toxins from the body.

You see one of the problems with modern living is that we don’t sweat enough. We don’t rid our body of the inevitable build up of harmful toxins. Saunas are a good way to do this.

Although traditional saunas are great,  the intense heat does not really penetrate the dermis into the tissues below.  This means that although many toxins are released many remain trapped in deeper tissues.  Infrared saunas release up to seven times more toxins, including heavy metals like mercury and lead, as well as environmental chemicals.

Infrared saunas have become increasingly popular to detoxify,  but they also have a great deal of other health benefits that traditional don’t offer.

Sweating in an infrared sauna not only helps your body to release toxins and environmental chemicals, you can also lose weight, find relief from pain, and increase your circulation to purify your skin.

Infrared saunas are economical as well when compared to traditional ones They come in various styles, shapes and sizes which is great. There is no hot steam element to worry about either, which makes them perfect for fitting into almost any space in the home.  We love them and the health benefits that infrared saunas offer.  Find a brilliant review guide of the best home sauna options here >>

Portable Infrared Sauna 

It doesn’t look much like a portable infrared sauna,  looks more permanent?  We have called the JNH Lifestyles Joyous 2 Person portable because it is so easy and fast to erect and pull down. The wall panels are simply clipped together. It requires no special tools, in fact no tools at all apart from a phillips screwdriver.. Two people should take under one hour to set it up ready to plug in.

JNH Lifestyles 2 Person Far Infrared Sauna _JNH Lifestyles Joyous 2 Person Far Infrared Sauna

We have chosen this company’s sauna as an example because they manufacture infrared saunas that are the benchmark that other saunas are judged by.  This two seater offers tons of features and brilliant customer support. All for the pretty jaw dropping price of  $1099.00 (at the time of writing).

Lets look at what a little over a thousand dollars can buy you in the infrared sauna market..

The JNH Lifestyles Joyous uses untreated Canadian hemlock wood, and a tongue and groove construction method. This is for better strength and rigidity. The 7 carbon fibre far infrared heaters are spread throughout the sauna at the back, side and calf areas to maximise heating continuity.​ Dual wall insulation also ensures low heat losses.  The sauna takes just 15 minutes to reach operating temperature.

It has a nice safety glass door allowing plenty of light into the sauna.  You don’t feel like you are sitting in a box.  And a nice two speaker sound system with LED lighting adds the final touch of luxury to this killer sauna. We think this is a real beauty.

Its dimension are 47.3″ (w) x 39.5″ (d) x 75″ (h), and it runs from a standard 110V ~ 120V / 15 Amp plug.

Cornflakes and Light Therapy !

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg is better known as a co-inventor of the famous breakfast cereal brand. But he was also an early advocate of light therapy.  He was actually was the first to build an “ incandescent light bath”  in 1891. He recognised light as an “ excellent means of improving the patient’s general vital condition. ” and continued to use this form of light therapy to treat his patients for many years.

 

INFRARED SPECTRUM 2

 

Infrared Light?

Infrared light is an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Infrared light is often stated as three distinct groups. However there is still some discussion between scientist where one group stops and the next begins.

Near Infrared: (IR-A). spans approximate wavelengths between 700 to 1,400 nm.  Over the counter home devices will normally use these wavelengths.

Mid Infrared: (IR-B)  spans approximate wavelengths between 1,400 nm to 3000 nm. Mostly used by household electronic devices such as remote controls.

Far Infrared: (IR-C)  spans approximate wavelengths between 3000 nm to 1 mm, this has the longest wavelength, and is the largest part of the IR spectrum. It is often used in infrared saunas.

Beuerer LAmpInfrared Heat Lamps?

Infrared heat lamps emit red and orange light as well as near and mid range infrared rays. So there is a minor element of colour therapy too.  Near infrared rays can penetrate up to 2-3 inches into body tissues, so can heal hard to reach areas.  Near infrared lamps penetrate deeply because the heat source is concentrated in a small area.  The lamps actually heat up the bodies tissues from the inside to the out,

More Benefits

Infra red heat lamps, when concentrated on an area of the body provide fast and sometimes  surprising benefits. The warmth that the near infrared light frequencies induce  will improve hydration, circulation and oxygenation. An infrared heat lamp directed at a specific area of the body can also provide the following health benefits:

  • Relax muscles and calm the nervous system.
  • Increase oxygenation in the tissues.
  • Improved circulation.
  • Release toxins trapped in cells
  • Kills parasites and infections.
  • Kill the microorganisms that cause colds and flu.
  • Speed up tissue and wound healing.
  • Speed up workout recovery.

Infrared heat lamps and saunas really are an incredibly effective treatment not only for pain management, but rashes, acne, infections and muscle strains.  Even some hard to reach infections of the ears, nose, and sinuses can be effectively treated with infrared lamps.

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