Evolution of an age old healing practice – how infrared saunas are battling cancer in addition to improving health and well-being.
If you are like most people, hearing the word sauna triggers a very particular image in our minds. An image perhaps of a small, scorching room lined with wooden benches centered around a pile of very hot rocks and filled with strangers in towels sweating profusely. Most may consider this as too invasive and perhaps unhygienic. On the contrary, sauna is a healing tradition that dates back more than 2,000 years. Immersing oneself in a high-temperature environment, despite sweaty strangers, is recognized as one of the most effective ways to cleanse the body and eliminate toxins through our skin. This detoxifying ability of saunas is just the beginning to lead a vibrant and disease-free life. Enter the evolution of sauna – the infrared sauna.
Infrared saunas, compared to traditional saunas, is a refinement of the application of heat therapy to the body. Infrared saunas allow heat to be generated in the body at the right spots with pinpoint precision. The application of infrared heat therapy can be divided into three categories: (i) near-infrared, (ii) mid-infrared and (iii) far-infrared.
- Near-Infrared, otherwise known as light therapy, uses a special LED to permeate the outer surface of the skin and promote cell health and skin rejuvenation.
- Mid-infrared has been shown to reduce pain and promote weight loss in the body.
- Far infrared generates heat deeper in the body which helps to pull toxins from deep within while lowering blood pressure.
As each category of infrared heat therapy promotes its own unique benefit, the application of Far Infrared Sauna is encouraged by many practitioners.
Studies on impact of infrared Sauna
While plenty of health practitioners provide anecdotal evidence on the benefits of infrared saunas, there are, in fact, a number of published studies that quantitatively validate these health benefits.
A scientific review by a Canadian researcher found four studies that confirm the use of far infrared saunas in treating patients with cardiovascular disease, five studies in the treatment of coronary risk factors, and one study in treating chronic pain.
Other published studies for infrared saunas include trimming body fat and eliminating toxic xenobiotics (foreign chemicals) from the body. A 1981 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that regular use of an infrared sauna exerts a weight-loss effect on the body. This is due to the fact that infrared radiation raises core body temperature, mimicking the cardiovascular exertion brought about by aerobic exercises such as running.
There is also an abundant of emerging research demonstrating infrared sauna benefits in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems, rheumatoid arthritis, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, edema, soft tissue injury, sciatica, eczema, pelvic infection, pediatric pneumonia, and even cancer.
Infrared Sauna versus Cancer Cells
The benefits of infrared saunas are not limited to just the general well-being of the body. Infrared saunas can also be a potential tool to fight against more malignant diseases such as cancer. In a number of ongoing studies, infrared radiation therapy are being used to target malignant cancer cells which are highly susceptible to such radiation.
As explained by Dr. Irvin Sahni in a Truth About Cancer docu-series interview:
“…by exposing your body to that heat, you’re selectively killing or eradicating those less viable cells, those cancer cells, without hurting your normal cells. And so a far infrared sauna is useful because it can help you sweat, excrete toxins, and in theory eliminate cancer cells which can’t survive the heat as well as the normal cells.”
Studies published in the Journal of Cancer Science and Therapy found that after just 30 days of infrared treatment, tumor-infected mice saw reductions in their cancerous masses of up to 86% − even with low-temperature infrared exposures of as little as 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 Celsius). In Japan, additional studies on infrared treatment found that infrared-induced, whole-body hyperthermia helped strongly inhibit the growth and spread of breast cancer cells in mice, without causing any harmful side effects.
Bottom line, regular use of infrared saunas can potentially fight or prevent the onset of certain cancerous cells within the body!
Deciding on the right Infrared Sauna Therapy in Toronto for a healthier body
Infrared saunas has the ability to promote a healthier and perhaps a longer life. Owing to the internal heating within the body and the sweat it produces, infrared saunas offer a one-two punch for powerful detoxification and cellular maintenance and regeneration. Provided that the body is continuously replenished with clean hydration and electrolytes, the use of infrared saunas enable a continual system of flushing the body of toxins while potentially preventing formation, and thwarting growth, of malignant cells.
Having a sauna at home, especially in cold climate regions, is a great tool for detoxification, relaxation, pain relief, weight loss, and even anti-aging benefits. If space is a concern, and you live in a condo building or small house in Toronto, there are clinics available around downtown, allowing you to have your sessions just a few min walk away.
When you choose your infrared sauna teraphy here in Toronto, look for the following important factors:
- Even heat output − no “hot spots” near the heating element. You should also opt for radiant (rather than reflected) heating technology, as radiant heat is more evenly distributed, efficient, and effective.
- High emissivity rate − the test of an infrared heater is its “radiant efficiency” − basically its ability to produce high levels of infrared heat. Look for saunas with a high emissivity rating and large heating panels that stay relatively cool on their surface. These types of heating panels produce the longer infrared waves that will most effectively penetrate your skin and cells, allowing for the greatest toxic release and greater amounts of sweat.
- Low (or no) EMF pollution– it is important to ensure that the heating therapy incorporates only infrared radiation and not any unnecessary exposure other electromagnetic radiation.
Our far infrared sauna service covers all these tree factors.
