A different kind of sauna

A FIR sauna is different from a traditional sauna, and elicits certain responses in the body that may have an effect on diseases and physical ailments.

IHAVE had patients and friends ask me recently about far-infrared saunas, as they have seen it advertised in some health and beauty centres.

A far-infrared (FIR) sauna is a type of sauna that is touted to have health benefits for the general public, as well as for people with certain medical conditions.

A FIR sauna is different from a traditional sauna, and elicits certain responses in the body that may have an effect on diseases and physical ailments.

In this article, I will look at how FIR saunas work and whether people can really use them for therapeutic purposes.

FIR rays

Far-infrared rays refer to a certain type of infrared ray emitted by the sun.

Whether they are “near” or “far” depends on where the infrared wave falls on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Near-infrared rays are closest in wavelength to visible light, while far-infrared rays are closer to the microwave region on the spectrum.

Far-infrared rays are a form of thermal energy, which means that we experience these rays in the form of heat.

That is why you feel heat from sunlight, fire, radiator or a thermal infrared lamp (sometimes used to treat back injuries and muscle sprains).

Did you know that even humans emit infrared energy? We radiate infrared energy at a wavelength of about 10 microns, especially from our palms.

FIR energy from the sun is absorbed by the cells in our body, causing a physical phenomenon called “resonance”. When the FIR rays vibrate at the same frequency as that of the human body, it is believed that our cells become activated, thus improving blood circulation.

This enables our red blood cells to carry more oxygen and nutrients to all the parts of our body.

This is the same principle applied in the use of infrared treatment for sprains and strains, as the increased blood flow to the injury site accelerates healing and relieves pain.

Benefits of FIR

The main benefit of FIR in saunas is based on the same principle as hot-air/steam saunas – that it stimulates perspiration and an increased heart rate.

This leads to the burning of calories, which is important in losing or maintaining a healthy body weight.

When an average person sweats off 500g in the sauna, he/ she burns nearly 300kcal, which is equivalent to running at least 3-4km.

FIR can also be used by athletes or those prone to physical injuries. When the tissues are heated and then stretched, they exhibit a non-elastic residual elongation of about 0.5 to 0.9% that persists after the stretch is removed.

This is a greater and more sustained stretch compared to tissues stretched at normal temperatures.

This application of FIR makes stretching safer for athletes so that injuries can be avoided.

FIR can also introduce heat into joints and muscles, to reduce joint stiffness and muscle spasms, hence inducing pain relief.

The decrease in joint stiffness may be particularly beneficial for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in the fingers and knees.

Small clinical and case studies have shown benefits in these areas and further studies are warranted to confirm the use of whole-body FIR therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

FIR has also shown promise in the healing of soft tissue injuries, especially those related to car accidents.

Beyond its use in physiotherapy, FIR rays are believed to have therapeutic properties for chronic health problems.

Scientists from Finland suggest that regular users of FIR saunas have more elastic and pliable blood vessels, due to the regular dilation and contraction of blood vessels induced by sauna use.

This may have beneficial effects for those with coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis (narrowing of heart blood vessels) and hypertension.

There is some evidence that regular use of FIR rays can help to lower hypertension, while at the same time raising blood pressure to normal levels for those with low blood pressure.

FIR can also produce blood vessel dilation in distant-body areas.

That means that if you heat the forearm, the blood vessels in the legs will also dilate. The temperature increase from FIR rays produces a direct increase in blood circulation and dilation in the capillaries, arteries and veins.

There are numerous conditions associated with poor circulation which may benefit from increased peripheral dilation from FIR, such as sciatica, backaches, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, fatigue, menstrual cramps and ulcers.

Skin problems, such as lacerations, acne, eczema and psoriasis, have also been reported to respond well to FIR treatment.

As FIR saunas induce vigorous sweating, they are also a good way to detox the body, as the chemicals from subcutaneous tissues will be passed out with the sweat.

There have been some studies carried out to confirm the effects of FIR rays on the conditions described above, but larger and more rigorous studies will be needed before FIR saunas can really make scientific claims about their therapeutic effects.

FIR vs traditional sauna

The FIR rays rapidly penetrate 4-5cm into the body tissues, and therefore are able to heat the tissues directly.

This makes the FIR sauna different from the traditional sauna because the normal sauna uses heat to warm the air instead.

This gives FIR saunas an advantage over traditional ones because it can give you the results – increased heart rate and sweating – at a lower temperature.

People who cannot withstand the 80-100-degree Celcius temperatures of a steam sauna, especially those with heart problems, will find that FIR saunas are safer for them.

A FIR sauna can help you burn more calories for the same amount of time that you spend in a steam sauna, as it generates two to three times more sweat.

In fact, spending 30 minutes in an FIR sauna may burn as much as 900 to 2,400 calories, more than the amount of calories burnt by rowing or marathon running for 30 minutes.

This is an effective way for those who cannot exercise (perhaps due to age or a medical condition) to maintain a healthy weight.

FIR saunas are also more convenient as they do not have to be used in the same way that a steam sauna is used.

One can even use the FIR sauna fully-clothed, for instance as a warm-up prior to stretching or working out.

At the end of the day, an FIR sauna may just be a safe way to enjoy the heating properties of a sauna, without worrying about overly high temperatures of steam. If the sauna also brings benefits to your health, then by all means, enjoy it!

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (FRCOG, UK). For further information, visit www.primanora. com. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.