Infrared Sauna | United States | Merle Norman Terre Haute Day Spa

“Exposure to high temperatures for brief periods produces profound physiological changes: stress hormones are released, heart rate accelerates, respiration increases, sweating increases, and the skin flushes as the body struggles in vain to maintain a normal body temperature.” Dr. Ornstein and Dr. Sobel (Source)

Detoxification

Infrared heat increases your blood circulation and stimulates the sweat glands, releasing built up toxins in the body. Perspiration is a natural way of expelling these toxins from the body and infrared saunas generate a sweat nearly 7 times more detoxifying than a traditional or steam sauna. Detoxification via infrared sauna therapy is commonly recommended for those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity (also known as environmental illness), and fibromyalgia.

Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery

The deep heat of an infrared sauna helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscle, so they recover faster. Muscles are also able to relax most readily when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion. Infrared heat relieves muscle tension, thereby helping your body to make the most of its intended healing abilities. Infrared heat reduces soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle joints and fibers are heated.

Cardio Health and Weight Loss

As you relax in the gentle infrared heat, your body is actually hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories. As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart will work harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism will burn calories. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “Many of us who run do so to place a demand on our cardiovascular system, … regular use of a sauna imparts a similar stress on the cardiovascular system, and its regular use may be as effective a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning of calories as regular exercise.

Skin Purification

The profuse sweating achieved after just a few minutes in an infrared sauna sheds deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and immaculately clean. Increased circulation draws your skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface. You’ll see improved tone, elasticity, texture and fresh color. Increased blood circulation has also been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions and cuts. In addition, open wounds heal more quickly, reducing scarring.

Relaxation and Improved Sleep

Saunas also increase serotonin, a powerful hormone associated with relaxation and sleep. Following a sauna, people show more brain waves related to deeper, more restful sleep.

Chromotherapy

Our sauna also feature LED color light therapy, also known as chromotherapy. Color light therapy is a technique of restoring balance by means of applying color to the body. Its history is rooted as far back as the Mayan culture, and has been valued as a remarkable source of healing. Light therapy uses colors for their proposed healing abilities in treating emotional and physical disturbances. It is based on the premise that different colors evoke different responses in people. For example, some colors are considered to be stimulating, whereas others may be soothing. Today, the therapeutic applications of light and color are being investigated in major hospitals and research centers worldwide. Results indicate that full-spectrum, ultraviolet, colored, and laser light can have therapeutic value for a range of conditions from chronic pain and depression to immune disorders.

Chromotherapy Benefits

Light Therapy has been reported to reduce swelling, relieve pain, decrease inflammation, accelerate open wound healing and greatly reduce overall recovery after medical or surgical procedures. Patients have demonstrated increased range of motion, decreased muscle tension and spasm, and improved circulation. The therapy can be used for pain management such as joint and back pain, sore or torn muscles, sprains, arthritis, post-surgical scars, burns, wounds and more. When used with infrared technology, light therapy is one of the most effective and non- invasive ways to repair the body.

Light therapy is also often used relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD affects individuals when the lack of sunlight results in seasonal depression. Phototherapy helps with SAD by resetting the internal biological clock, helping individuals sleep better and regulate their mood.

Light therapy is also a growing treatment for anti-aging. Many individuals have seen a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and age spots. Combined with infrared therapy, LED chromotherapy can be a great way to revitalize skin. Light therapy energizes skin cells, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin; giving skin back it’s youthful look.