Infrared Sauna Therapy
1/2 Hr Sauna sessions are available to book online within our regular office hours. If you’d like an evening session please call the clinic to book.
Our sauna is self-serve. Arrive at your appointment time and go around back to where the sauna is located in the lower level. There’s a chance that all therapists will be in treatments, and we do not have front desk reception, so all instructions are on the emails, as well as on the front of the sauna. We require a credit card on file for the payment of sauna sessions.
Infrared heat is radiant heat and radiant heat is simply a form of energy that heats objects directly, without having to heat the surrounding air. It is a section of the natural band of light that is not visible to the human eye, but can be felt as heat. The sun is the principle source of radiant energy.
Traditional saunas raise the temperature of the air to a very high level within the sauna to then warm your body. In an infrared sauna, only 20% of the energy is used to heat the air, the rest is heating your body. The Infrared panels do not turn red hot, but instead produces invisible, far infrared heat. This is the same type of heat as produced by the sun and our bodies.
Infrared heat is very safe. The radiant heat can penetrate deep below the skin producing a gentle warming inside the body. This allows a person to sweat faster and to tolerate longer periods of time inside the sauna, welcoming many therapeutic effects. Our sessions last 30 minutes and can be as frequent as once a day or a couple times a week, or before your regularly booked massage/acupuncture appointment. Infrared saunas leave you feeling invigorated, not depleted like conventional saunas.
Common temperatures inside infrared saunas range between 37 °C to 52 °C. Our sauna is set to reach a max of 50 °C.
Health Benefits Attributed to a Far Infrared Sauna:
- Improves the immune system
- Removes toxins and mineral waste
- Burns calories and controls weight
- Helps diminish cellulite
- Strengthens the cardiovascular system
- Improves health & tone of skin
- Stress relief
Infrared saunas can benefit people with arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, certain skin conditions, chronic pain, weight loss, normalizing blood pressure, nervous disorders, digestive disorders, normalizing blood sugar, blood vessel function, reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides and more....
Studies have shown increased circulation, and the potential to expel up to 500 grams of sweat and burn 300-600 calories per 30 minute session. Sauna's speed up your metabolic process and creates a 'fever' reaction that kills viruses. It places demand on the cardiovascular system, making the heart pump harder, a drop in diastolic blood pressure, and stimulates vasodilation of peripheral vessels, which can help relieve pain and speed healing of sprains, strains, bursitis, muscle pain, and more...
In Guyton’s Textbook of Medical Physiology, we find that producing one gram of sweat requires 0.568kcal. The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) states;
“A moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off 500 grams in a sauna, consuming nearly 300kcal – the equivalent of running two to three miles. A heat-conditioned person can easily sweat off 600 to 800 kcal with no adverse effect. While the weight of water loss can be regained by rehydration, the calories consumed will not be.”
Since an infrared sauna helps generate two to three times the sweat produced in a conventional hot-air sauna, the implications for increased caloric consumption are quite impressive.
Infrared Sauna Therapy Protocol
ATTIRE: Loose fitting workout attire, (shorts & tank top or sports bra) or a bathing suit is MANDATORY.
BRING YOUR OWN TOWELS, a large towel to cover up, and sit on in the sauna, and a smaller towel if needed. PLEASE ALSO BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE - water refilling is available beside sauna.
FOR BEST RESULTS, you must allow yourself to warm-up with the unit through the varying temperatures until you reach desired/set temperature. Meaning, our sauna will reach a max temperature between 48°C-55°C, you enter at a lower temperature and throughout your 30 minute session it constantly increases.
Please don’t forget how important it is to stay HYDRATED during this healing process! Proper hydration is needed before, during and after your sauna session. In front of the sauna room is a water station. Please help yourself before entering the sauna.
What is the difference between Infrared Sauna & a Traditional Sauna?
The main difference between an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna lies in how they generate and deliver heat, along with the temperatures they operate at and the experience they provide:
1. Heating Method
• Infrared Sauna: Uses infrared light to directly heat the body, penetrating the skin and tissues without significantly heating the surrounding air.
• Traditional Sauna: Heats the air in the room using an electric or wood-burning heater, which then warms the body through convection.
2. Temperature
• Infrared Sauna: Operates at lower temperatures (typically 45–60°C or 113–140°F) but still induces sweating due to the deeper heat penetration.
• Traditional Sauna: Runs at higher temperatures (70–100°C or 158–212°F), heating the entire space.
3. Humidity
• Infrared Sauna: Dry environment; no added steam or humidity.
• Traditional Sauna: Can be dry or humid (depending on whether water is poured over heated rocks).
4. Experience
• Infrared Sauna: Provides a gentler heat, making it more comfortable for people who may struggle with high heat. It feels less intense but still promotes a sweat.
• Traditional Sauna: Offers a more intense, immersive heat experience, often preferred by those who enjoy the classic sauna feel.
More information on the Benefits of Infrared Saunas:
Infrared saunas are praised for specific health benefits due to their unique heat delivery:
1. Detoxification: Deeper heat penetration promotes sweating and helps flush out wastes like heavy metals and environmental pollutants.
2. Improved Circulation: Infrared heat improves blood flow, which can support cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.
3. Muscle Recovery: Effective for soothing sore muscles, reducing stiffness, and speeding up recovery post-exercise.
4. Pain Relief: Beneficial for people with chronic pain or conditions like arthritis, as the infrared heat penetrates deep into muscles and joints.
5. Skin Health: Promotes collagen production and improves skin texture, helping with conditions like acne or dullness.
6. Relaxation & Stress Reduction: The gentle heat can soothe the nervous system, lowering stress and improving sleep quality.
7. Weight Loss Support: Increases heart rate and metabolic rate, which can mimic the effects of light exercise.
Choosing Between the Two
• Opt for an infrared sauna if you want a lower-heat, more targeted experience with added wellness benefits. At Healthy Roots this is the type of sauna that we have.
• Choose a traditional sauna if you prefer a hotter, classic sauna feel with high humidity options.
***Please remember this is intended only as broad guidelines that benefit the majority of us. You must listen to your body and pay attention to the information that it gives you. Also, please remember that you should always speak with your primary care physician before implementing any changes to your health-care regimen. It is NOT recommended if you are pregnant, or if you have Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Adrenal Suppression, Acute injuries, Silicone implants or protheses, or Hemophilia.***