Let’s be real; infrared saunas are kind of a big deal. From weight loss to clear skin, the benefits are endless. However, one of the biggest reasons people seem to turn to infrared saunas is because of pain. Honestly; we aren’t the young ducklings we used to be. And whether it’s from an injury, age, or just day-to-day activities, we all get pain from time-to-time that just won’t seem to go away (in other words, welcome to adulthood!). However, it has been proven that infrared saunas may be the ultimate solution to this. So set that Icy Hot down, sit back, and let’s talk about a few of the benefits of infrared saunas for pain relief.
1. Helps joints
The first way that infrared sauna’s assist with pain relief is with their ability to release tension in joints. This is because the infrared sauna helps to target build-ups of stress and inflammation in the joints. And the way inflammation occurs is ultimately due to the lack of oxygen to certain parts of the body caused by fluctuation with the synovial fluid. This causes stretching of the tendons, which leads to extreme discomfort. Infrared, on the other hand, allows ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) production to be increased, which allows more oxygen to the area under stress and helps to soothe it within minutes (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). So, to put it simply, if you don’t want to snap, crackle, and pop your way through life, infrared saunas might be the thing for you.
2. Eases body aches
Another benefit of infrared saunas in regards to pain is their ability to help soothe muscle and body aches.
This is done simply through deep penetration of our body from the infrared rays in the sauna. It is believed that these rays can go beyond the surface of our skin, and can actually penetrate several inches into it. This process helps to open our blood vessels and provide nutrients and oxygen to our muscles quicker, which, ultimately, helps to soothe and relax your muscles in just a matter of minutes (meaning when the hubby doesn’t want to give you a foot rub, the infrared sauna has got your back). Trust us, there’s a reason professional athletes swear by these saunas to help speed up recovery time, and that’s because this a process that truly has no comparison.
3. Reduces stiffness
The other way that infrared saunas can help you to reduce pain is by reducing stiffness in your body. Whether it’s your back, shoulders, or neck, we all carry tension in our body somewhere that can cause us to be in pain frequently (yet another perk of adulting). The way infrared saunas help to reduce this pain is because the wavelengths from saunas promote circulation throughout your body. This, in return, gets all that built-up tension moving, instantly alleviating pain in your body. Not to mention, it has even been shown that infrared saunas have been able to help reduce pain in people with severe health conditions, such as arthritis (drwillcole.com). Therefore, if these saunas can do all that in just minutes, think about the positive effects prolonged exposure could have for your body. I mean, seriously, do these saunas have a downside?
Overall, infrared saunas are a great solution to combating pain in your body. From tension to stiffness, these saunas are truly a one-of-a-kind experience that is a lifesaver to many. So next time you go to pick up that pharmacy pain reliever cream, consider a sauna session instead, as it seems to be the best, long-term solution with so many incredible benefits. And honestly, when all is said and done, I think we can all end this article by saying one thing, and that is: infrared saunas, where have you been all my life?
