Benefits of Infrared Sauna for Inflammation

Inflammation is a pervasive buzzword in the health and wellness industry, but what is it? Why does it occur, and how can you combat it? In this blog, we will explore the topic of inflammation and how sauna health benefits, particularly those that incorporate infrared light, can influence inflammation levels in the body.

With so much hype surrounding inflammation and its impact on skin disorders, headaches, allergies, painful menses, and chronic illness, it's more critical than ever to separate fact from fiction. So let's dive in and uncover the truth about inflammation and saunas.

Is Sauna Good For Inflammation?

Yes, research suggests that saunas may be good for inflammation when used over a long period of time. However, when considering whether saunas are good for inflammation, it's important to distinguish between short and long-term consequences.

In the short term, sauna bathing has been shown to increase certain inflammatory biomarkers like Interleukin-6 (IL6). However, recent studies have explored the effects of sauna bathing on inflammation levels over time.

One Finnish study from 2018 showed that regular sauna sessions (4-7 times/week) significantly lowered C-reactive protein levels, one of the most important biomarkers for overall inflammation in the body.

People participating in sauna sessions only once a week had 2.41 C-reactive protein levels, while those participating 4-7 times a week had 1.65 C-reactive protein levels, representing a 33% decrease in overall inflammation.

Another study from the same Finnish research group concluded that the decrease in chronic inflammation is similar to that of exercise and accounts for the many health benefits of sauna bathing.

Furthermore, a study showed that engaging in 2 to 7 sauna sessions per week attenuated the consequences of high inflammation when looking at pneumonia risk compared to people who use 1 sauna session per week or fewer.

These studies on long-term inflammation are promising. The findings suggest that saunas, especially infrared saunas that penetrate deeper into the body, may help lower inflammation levels over time, contributing to better overall health.

How long should you sauna to lower inflammation?

According to the research mentioned above, how long you should sauna for inflammation reduction is 4 - 7 times a week if you're looking to improve the biomarkers for inflammation in the human body, however, more research is needed.

Inflammation reduction from infrared light

Recent studies have shown promising results when it comes to infrared light and inflammation reduction! In fact, both far and near-infrared lights have been shown to reduce levels of inflammatory biomarkers in lab studies with cell cultures and animal studies. And even better - similar effects have been found in human studies investigating near-infrared light!

What is inflammation?

Inflammation has become a buzzword in the health and wellness industry, but what is it, and why does it matter?

Inflammation refers to the body's response to irritants that cause heat, redness, pain, and swelling. While inflammation is a natural process that helps the body fight off illness and injury, chronic inflammation is associated with a variety of conditions, including heart disease and Alzheimer's.

In recent years, researchers have explored the potential benefits of using an infrared sauna to reduce inflammation. While there are many factors that can lead to inflammation, such as nutritional deficiencies, stress, microbes, allergens, and toxins, an infrared sauna can be a useful tool to combat chronic inflammation and improve overall health.

Why is chronic inflammation bad for you?

While inflammation is the body's natural response, chronic inflammation can be a sign of a bigger problem. Inflammatory responses should be self-limiting, but if they persist, inflammatory cells, immune molecules, and body fluids can disrupt the affected area.

Chronic inflammation is associated with several illnesses and occurs as a low-level, constant form of inflammation in the body, where the immune system is turned on, and white blood cells are searching for something to attack, even if there's nothing present.

Experts are still researching the exact connection between chronic inflammation and diseases, but chronic inflammation is linked to stroke, heart disease, and brain issues. While chronic inflammation might not show physical signs, getting a CPR test from a doctor can reveal inflammation levels in the body, which can be useful information to address potential health problems.

How Saunas Can Help Chronic Pain Related to Inflammation

If you're struggling with chronic pain related to inflammation, you might be interested in the potential relief that using an infrared sauna can offer.

Many individuals have reported finding relief from joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation by incorporating heat therapy into their routine.

By using an infrared sauna, some people have been able to move more freely, as pain and stiffness have been reduced. Not only that, but regular use of an infrared sauna has also helped to reduce dependence on pain medication.

So if you're looking for a natural way to manage your chronic pain, infrared sauna routines may help alleviate symptoms.

How can you reduce inflammation?

Chronic inflammation is linked to several illnesses, fortunately, it's possible to control and even reverse inflammation through anti-inflammatory and healthy lifestyle choices.

It is recommended to talk to your doctor about making lifestyle changes to help prevent inflammation if you have a family history of colon cancer or heart disease. Below are some tips to help lower inflammation levels in the body:

Consume Plenty of Anti-inflammatory Foods

Eating foods that help to keep inflammation at bay can benefit overall health. Some examples of anti-inflammatory foods include vegetables, fruits, and foods high in omega-3 acids like salmon, tuna, flax seeds, and walnuts. Other sources of omega-3 include celery, grapes, olive oil, tea, garlic and spices like rosemary, turmeric, and ginger.

Include Regular Exercise

Exercise has many long-term health benefits, including reducing inflammation. A judicious workout regime, including fast-paced walking, for just 20 minutes to 1 hour, can help prompt anti-inflammatory cellular responses, which result from a reduction in the body's cytokine TNF.

Get Hot in an Infrared Sauna

Regular usage of a far infrared sauna not only helps to relax you, but it can also help keep diseases away. A sauna session helps to pump blood and is associated with overall better health and quality of life.

Manage Stress Levels

Chronic stress leads to inflammation, and it's important to manage it to reduce inflammation levels. Techniques like biofeedback, yoga, or guided imagery can help manage stressors and reduce inflammation.

These tips can help reduce inflammation levels in the body and promote overall health and wellness.

The Infrared Sauna Inflammation Science

Inflammation is a natural process that helps the body fight off illnesses and injuries. But chronic inflammation can be problematic and is linked to several diseases.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management can help control and reduce inflammation levels in the body.

Moreover, recent studies have explored the potential benefits of using an infrared sauna to reduce inflammation. These studies have shown that regular infrared sauna sessions can lead to a decrease in inflammatory biomarkers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.

For best results, start with slow and monitor how you respond to sauna sessions, gradually increasing frequency over time. In addition to reducing inflammation, infrared saunas offer several other health benefits, including improved heart health, weight loss, and improved skin health.

Adding an infrared sauna to your routine can be a useful tool in supporting and maintaining your overall health and wellness.