Sweating to the Oldies
From the Finns to the Native Americans, numerous cultures around the world have historically used saunas, or sweat lodges, to stem-off disease. Saunas served several purposes in society: a social gathering place; a place to conduct business but more importantly, it served as a means to treat ailments and disease. Whether an American Indian sweat lodge or a wood-burning Finnish sauna, all of these cultures recognized the importance of sweating to stave-off illness. This still holds true today, yet the traditional sauna has evolved into something more hightech with the development of the FAR infrared sauna.
The Modern Sauna
The evolution from the traditional hot rock or steam sauna to the modern FAR infrared sauna was first developed in Japan over 30 years ago. Since then, Japanese medical doctors have regularly prescribed infrared sauna use to treat their patients. In Japan, there is an “infrared society” composed of medical doctors and physical therapists dedicated to further infrared research.
A CASE STUDY:
Repeated Thermal Therapy Improves Impaired Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Risk Factors Dr. Imamura, et. al, Kagoshima Japan Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2001
Purpose: To determine whether Infrared Sauna therapy improves blood vessel function (endothelial) in patients’ risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. This dysfunction represents an early stage of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
The study included 25 men with at least one risk factor. Patients were treated in an Infrared Sauna for 15 minutes, once a day, for two weeks.
Results:
• Significantly lowered blood pressure
• Significant weight loss
• Significantly lowered blood sugar
• Significantly increased blood flow
• Lowered cholesterol
• Lowered triglycerides
Conclusion:
Repeated Infrared Sauna treatment improves impaired blood vessel functions in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol. This suggests a preventive role for sauna use for atherosclerosis.
With the advent of the FAR infrared sauna, Americans can learn from our international friends that the modern sauna can enable them to sweat their way to dramatically improved health.
Ellen Dwyer is the Co-Owner of LuxSauna Inc. She can be contacted at 888.589.7286, or by email at info@luxsauna.com, or visit www.luxsauna.com.
