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Infrared Sauna |
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When we consider infrared technology and infrared sauna and its advances, far infrared sauna is an application which is widely used in the scientific health and recreation field. Infrared (IR) radiation used for the application is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength shorter than radio waves but longer than that of visible light.
An infrared sauna is a sauna that heats and warms its occupants with heaters emitting far infrared radiant heat. Traditional Finnish Saunas do not use infrared radiation to directly heat the user but instead use steam which heats the air, and thereby the user. The radiation enters the body and heats through a process called conversion. The air around you does not get heated.
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An infrared sauna is usually a wooden box, or small wooden room, containing several infrared heaters. The sauna box creates the atmosphere of the traditional sauna while the heaters provide the actual infrared therapy. In an infrared sauna, the infrared heater produces radiant energy, which is the same as the heat from the sun but without the harmful ultraviolet rays. Most of these heaters in manufacture are based on technology development by Dr. Tadashi Ishikawa, a member of Fuji Medical in 1965.
Modern Finnish saunas have thermostatically controlled electric stoves or wood stoves with chimneys. Stones placed over the heat source attain a high temperature. Heat is maintained by the stones. In a traditional sauna the air temperature typically runs between 169 to 190 °F (76 to 88 °C). This in an infrared sauna is significantly lower. There are exotic additions such as water thrown on the stones, mixing vodka to the water thrown, also addition of herbs and oils like eucalyptus, consumption of alcohol. The hot treatment is alternated by cold treatment such as a cold shower, jumping into frozen water or rolling in powdery snow. Flaying (lightly said !) the body with birch twigs is also recommended.
An infrared sauna uses a heater that creates infrared waves that heat your body directly, instead of just by the air. The temperature in them is much cooler, at around 110 to 130 °F (43 to 54 °C). The sweat from each is comparable though many say that the lower temperatures in an infrared sauna can result in longer and better sauna sessions as there is more overall sweating.
The infrared sauna rays remove toxins loose from fat cells into the body, and the toxins are released through sweating. They claim this heals and stimulates tissues, and that it is effective therapy for arthritis and tissue injuries. It is said that such a sauna by infrared is the only way of removing man made toxins.
As the skin is the largest organ of body, regularly sweating in a far infrared sauna can help decrease the toxic load and contribute to better health and vitality. Increased circulation is normally good for health. In debates rather than arguments, mainstream medical professionals say that sweating is always good for you as long as you stay hydrated.
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