For many years, radiation has been used for medicinal purposes, however, not all radiation is the same and different forms of radiation have specific effects on our bodies. All forms of radiation are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are differentiated by their wavelength. Visible light only represents a small part of the spectrum, with wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometers. Some other types of radiation with shorter wavelengths include ultraviolet light that comes from the sun and x-rays that are used for imaging purposes.
Infrared radiation has a longer wavelength, making it invisible to the human eye, and has many positive applications of its own; with the latest and most advanced being its inclusion in saunas.
Infrared saunas have an incredible amount of benefits. One is their ability to help regulate your sleep cycle. People have reported an improvement in their sleep duration and quality shortly after one treatment. So, if you have problems with insomnia, this could be a way to manage it.
Infrared therapy is also beneficial for weight loss, muscle recovery and increasing muscle mass. Including this treatment at the end of your workout can help you reach your fitness goals and reduce fatigue.
Improvements have been reported in patients with certain chronic diseases who underwent infrared therapy. The first and most studied one is congestive heart failure. These patients live with many restrictions, and infrared saunas can provide some relief to their difficult condition. Other diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, both conditions that affect the bones, joints and muscles, and are common causes of chronic pain.
Most of these health benefits are caused by the influence infrared therapy has on internally signaling pathways in cells. In layman’s terms, infrared can affect the metabolism of cells for a specific purpose, leading those cells into generating a positive outcome for your health.
