Infrared Healing Technology
Infrared Sauna
Have you used infrared healing technology? Does it even work? As someone who is always looking for natural pain relief and inflammation reduction, I was willing to try it. Of course, we didn’t ease into it. We decided to jump head first in purchasing an in-house sauna because my brother-in-law had one, and my husband needed one too.
Thankfully, it also promised relief for those suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I read articles claiming pain relief, relaxation, better circulation, better sleep, and all without having to use pharmaceuticals. It would even make recovery from exercise faster and gentler. We ended up getting an infrared sauna from Sunlighten.
The only downside to the process was having it arrive on a pallet, and assembling the sauna on our own. But we managed. In the six or so years that we’ve had it, we’ve only had to replace parts twice. And only once did we have to pay for the parts out of pocket. We have been using the sauna pretty regularly for the last six years.
At first, it was the new toy. I used it all the time. However, it is recommended to ease into sauna usage and avoid using it for long periods. Initially, I was cautious, but soon I realized I could meditate inside the sauna. This was true multitasking--I could enjoy the physical benefits my body needed while also completing my meditation. It's a win--win! (Because sitting still for 20 mins without a side quest is absolute torture, especially since we have a “no phones” rule in the sauna).
The sauna comes with a small tablet allowing you to pick the programs. It offers preset programs, like cardio, pain relief, weight loss, detoxification, anti-aging, and relaxation. You can also customize your own program using near, mid and far infrared.
The different forms of infrared have different benefits. Far Infrared is for detoxification, heart health, weight loss, immunity, relaxation and muscle recovery. Mid Infrared is for anti-aging, sleep, and muscle recovery. While Near Infrared is for anti-aging, relaxation and muscle recovery.
Always remember, to please seek out medical advice before trying any new health treatment or device. Everyone has a unique health journey and not all bio-hacking treatments or technologies are for everyone. I am not a medical professional, my recommendation is based on my own experience and should never be taken as medical advice.
I would not recommend meditating in the sauna, or at least not doing deep breathing exercises. Do so at your own risk, as the bench is about two feet off of the ground, and that’s how I got a black eye while meditating. I won’t blame the heat of the sauna. I believe it was the deep breathing exercises I was doing, and holding my breath too long that caused me to lose consciousness. Probably a discussion about how imbalance can exist anywhere, even in meditation, somewhere in there. But I digress. I still continue to meditate in the sauna, thankfully my breathwork has evolved and I haven’t lost consciousness since. "knock on wood"
The infrared sauna is the nicest I've ever used. My body does not like regular dry saunas as I cannot breathe and they get too hot. I feel faint, but in a sickly way. Steam rooms are so hot they burn my skin and come out looking like a tomato. So I do prefer the infrared sauna, being able to get a nice sweat as well without overheating.
Apparently, because I have been doing this regularly, I have reduced perimenopause symptoms. I rarely have hot flashes, and I think it's because I give my body an outlet to do so on a regular basis. I do have night sweats from time to time, but it’s only like once every 3 months or so. I have had really mild symptoms. I think it's a combination of the sauna, cold plunge, exercise, and meditation. Or all the supplements I’m taking as well! I often wonder why there isn't just one solution!
I love using the sauna, and I keep programming it each week and going down at 5:25 a.m. I do confess that on nights I don’t sleep, I might sleep in the sauna. On those days I might pop on some Abraham Hicks or something motivational hoping it seeps into my subconscious while I try to catch up on that much needed sleep. Honestly, 20% of the time, I am just warming it up for my husband, while 80% of the time, I meditate with my head against the back to avoid falling off the bench. Am I unique in this experience? Most likely.
But to the benefits, the only reason you are probably reading this to begin with. I absolutely feel that it helps keep my inflammation reduced. The biggest benefit I feel, and this is all anecdotal, of course, is that I get a really good sweat in the sauna, and I feel like it helps me rid heavy metals and toxins from my system, and overall have less fibro flare ups. I also feel like it allows my body an outlet to regulate my hormones during this phase of life, and I’ve only had like two hot flashes outside of the sauna. I have used it in times when I was in a flare up and it did help to ease the pain. Those are times when I love having a sauna blanket, where I can just wrap myself up in a giant heating pad, but I will go over that another time.