Infrared saunas offer a modern twist to an age-old experience. Traditional saunas raise the temperature of the air in order to warm the body. Infrared saunas work differently. Instead of heating the air within the enclosure, far-infrared radiant (FIR) saunas emit an infrared wavelength that heats the body. Because the rays are absorbed directly into the body, one can work up a sweat at less intense temperatures than a traditional sauna (100 - 130° F. vs. 185-195° F.) Far-infrared radiant heat is a form of naturally occurring energy that heats objects by direct light conversion. FIR warms only the object and does not raise the temperature of the surrounding free air. To understand how infrared heat works, picture a person outdoors on a summer day with the sun beaming overhead. Their body feels warm from the sun and they become hot. Then a cloud passes overhead, blocking out the sun. The temperature outside has not changed, but they feel cooler in the shade. The Sun’s infrared rays were heating their body. Infrared heaters warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight. Infrared emitters in the sauna emulate the infrared rays produced by the sun. All life requires FIR heat from the sun. FIR heat is not ultraviolet radiation but a narrow band of energy within the 5 to 15 micron levels. This type of energy travels 2-3" deep into the body to increase circulation and nourish damaged tissue. The sun is the primary source of radiant energy, but not all of this energy is beneficial. Sunlight also contains harmful solar radiation. Although life needs energy from the sun, too much sunlight damages the skin.

FIR heat provides all the healthy benefits of natural sunlight without any of the dangerous effects of solar radiation. FIR heat therapy uses the wavelength of the visible and non-visible light spectrum of sunlight that heats the body normally. For years, the healthcare industry recommended infrared heat lamps as a source of  FIR heat but the lamps were cumbersome, extremely hot and difficult to maintain at a constant temperature. The recent development of ceramic infrared heaters created a new and convenient source of FIR heat therapy. Heat relieves pain by expanding blood vessels and increasing circulation. Better circulation allows more oxygen to reach injured areas of the body and helps reduce pain and speed up the healing process.

Perspiring is part of the complex thermoregulatory process of the body that increases the heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate. The process requires a large amount of energy and reduces excess moisture, salt and subcutaneous fat. Fat becomes water-soluble and the body sweats out fats and toxins. Read more about this process. During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.  Read this article for further information on the effect of the sauna on cardiac function. Toxins such as sodium, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and carcinogenic heavy metals (cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel) accumulate in the body during modern daily life. The body eliminates most toxins naturally by sweating. Heat therapy stimulates the sweat glands that cleanse and detoxify the skin. The heat simply speeds up the body's natural process. For more details on this process please read this article. For details on how saunas help remove mercury from the body check this out.   Learn more about how heat affects our health.   If you are interested in purchasing a unit for your home please call for a quote. Prices range from just over $2,000 to around $3,000 depending on size and finishes. We are able to provide a beautiful unit in a variety of sizes and finishes to suit your personal needs. These units are top quality units.       Call Cynthia  Alberta 403-451-6784                      Ontario 705-461-3801