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Can Using Infrared Sauna Therapy Improve Blood Circulation?

Discover Health And Vitality Under The Warm Rays Of Infrared Light To Experience Greater Blood Circulation.

The human body is a complex system and depends on the powerful and constant circulation of blood. The beating of the heart pumps and nurtures the steady and fluid flow of blood to the furthest extremities of the body.

When circulation is obstructed, inflammation occurs and a variety of illnesses may ensue. It is widely accepted that aerobic exercise promotes positive blood circulation; but unfortunately, vigorous exercise is often prohibitive to many individuals. However, there are other ways of improving blood circulation and perhaps the safest and most effective is broad spectrum infrared sauna therapy.

What Is Blood Circulation And How Does It Work In The Human Body?

Most know a little bit about the circulatory system and it might even seem absurd to ask the question – What is blood circulation? To grasp the profound impact that infrared sauna therapy has on the potential improvement of circulation it is important to understand some of the basic principles of the circulatory system.

Blood circulates from the heart throughout the body  and travels through an intricate network of arteries, into microscopic vessels, and back through the veins and into the heart once again. The perpetual flow of blood moving throughout the body delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to the organs, tissues, and cells within the physiological structure of the body (1).

The circulatory system is a complex system of pathways moving in a fluid order originating from the heart. This uninterrupted movement of blood is necessary to maintain the supply of oxygen from the lungs and nutrients from the digestive system to the rest of the body. The five liters of blood contained in the blood vessels of a typical adult in a resting posture moves throughout the entire circulatory system in about one minute. Blood will flow throughout the circulatory system 1500 times per day even without exercise or any other therapy modality to improve circulation (1).

The pulmonary system is entirely dependent on the circulatory system and ultimately weaves together to create a magnificent orchestra of the harmoniously fluid movement of oxygen and nutrients carried in the blood to the muscles, connective tissues, organs, glands, and brain.

The awe-inspiring action of the beating of the heart can be considered the engine of the circulatory system. The pulsation of the heart pumps nutrient-rich blood through the arteries, into a network of vascular transmitters and finally into veins that lead back to the heart and lungs.

The importance of a high functioning circulatory system cannot be understated. The health and vitality of the entire body depends on the fluid movement of blood circulation on a minute-by-minute basis. 

Finding treatment modalities that improve blood circulation is paramount to healthy living. Infrared sauna therapy may improve circulation throughout the body and therefore may have a positive impact on a variety of health issues.

What are some of the health benefits associated with Improved Blood Circulation?

Increased blood flow raises oxygen levels in the body and in turn provides a cascade of health benefits relating to a variety of illnesses. The National Library of Medicine states:

“Red blood cells have specific tasks of carrying oxygen to your body’s vital organs, providing vitality and energy. When your vital organs and circulatory system work in unison, you have adequate blood flow.” (2)

Increased oxygen flow to different parts of the body through improved circulation promotes cell growth and internal organ function. As circulation improves, the largest organ of the body, the skin, is better able to ward off harmful bacteria and infection from the outside world. Improved blood circulation will positively affect the entire function of the body and promote health and vitality through and throughout the human organism.

What Specific Illnesses Are Positively Affected By Improved Circulation?

· Rheumatoid Arthritis

· Osteoid Arthritis

· High Blood Pressure

· Diabetes

· Psoriasis

· Fibromyalgia

· Parkinson’s Disease

· Alzheimer’s Disease

· Depression And Anxiety

· Musculoskeletal Injuries (3)

As circulation improves and blood flow becomes rapid and fluid throughout the body, blood pressure is lowered. This helps to prevent heart-related illness that results from high blood pressure (constricted arteries).

Healthy blood circulation is essential for individuals with diabetes. Improving circulation allows healthy blood to reach the furthest extremities of the body, which is crucial for those with diabetes. It is the lack of positive blood circulation that causes many of the complications associated with diabetes. By improving blood circulation the outer extremities of the body will be nourished with oxygen and nutrients, this will help prevent some of the painful symptoms affecting those with diabetes.

Improved blood circulation decreases the occurrence of inflammation in all parts of the body. Inflammation is painful, particularly as it affects the joints. Individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis will notice a remarkable improvement of symptom expression when circulation is improved.

Athletes will experience faster muscular recovery with improved circulation as the cellular networks of muscles are fed greater amounts of oxygen. Injuries will heal at faster rates with improved circulation.

Broad spectrum infrared sauna therapy may drastically improve blood circulation and therefore stoke a cascade of health benefits. Additionally, infrared sauna therapy is a safe way of improving circulation and is accessible to individuals who may not be able to engage in vigorous exercise.

How Does Infrared Sauna Therapy Improve Blood Circulation? 

The radiant heat of infrared light burrows deep within the soft tissue of the body to raise the internal temperature of the body.

Infrared light wavelengths exist on the invisible spectrum of light and cannot be seen with the human eye, but can be felt as heat. The infrared waves of light penetrate deeply into and past the epidermis into the soft tissues of the body and therefore fully engage the body’s cellular response. 

Human anatomy viewed from the perspective of an active living organism constantly in conversation with itself gives way to an appreciation of the dance with its external environment. When the body is exposed to the healing rays of the infrared spectrum, the living anatomy invites the light into its network system, creating a domino effect of health originating with improved blood circulation.

Improved blood circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients at faster rates to the vital organs, brain, joints, muscles, skeletal structure, and skin. A heightened level of oxygen running through the body reduces the occurrence of inflammation and therefore pain.

As the infrared light seeps beyond the initial membrane of the skin to penetrate into the soft tissue of the body, the cellular mechanism responds in excitement. The human form is comprised of 50 trillion cells, each cell in the body has what could be considered an ‘energy plant’: the mitochondria, where ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) occurs. The mitochondria are very sensitive to all light, particularly sensitive to deeply penetrating rays of the infrared light. As soon as the body is exposed to the broad spectrum of infrared light, ATP production becomes exponential.

As ATP production increases in response to the infrared light exposure, this releases nitric acid, which hyperoxygenates the hemoglobin. The freshly oxygenated blood cells begin to flow throughout the body like a fast-moving river (4).

Inflammation occurs in the body as a response to injury, stress, and illness. Where there is inflammation there is also a lack of oxygen. When the body is exposed to the infrared light spectrum nutrient and oxygen-rich blood circulates at an improved rate through the body.

It can be imagined that the circulatory system is like rivers running throughout the body and inflammation creates blockages to these rivers. Under the influence of the infrared sauna spectrum, circulation becomes fluid and moves through inflamed areas bringing higher levels of oxygen. This movement releases the obstructed pathways and circulation becomes fluid once again.

Within just a few minutes of entering into an infrared sauna, ATP production increases, and oxygen production becomes higher. Blood circulation flows fluidly to restore the body back to homeostasis.

Who Can Benefit From Using Infrared Sauna Therapy To Improve Circulation: Particularly Those For Whom Exercise Is Prohibitive

It is well documented that aerobic exercise improves blood circulation; unfortunately, vigorous exercise is not available to all individuals. If movement is impaired for any reason it is still important that blood continues to flow fluidity throughout the circulatory system. If this does not occur, the body is thrown out of balance and health becomes depleted.

Spending 30 minutes in an infrared sauna will deliver the same results to the cardiovascular system as a light jog or walk. As the core temperature of the body rises during an infrared sauna session, vasodilation begins to occur. Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels. When blood vessels dilate the flow of blood is increased as a result of augmented cardiac output. This action decreases pressure on the arteries and lowers blood pressure. This is the identical process that occurs with aerobic exercise, except that the body is resting in a seated or reclined manner (4).

Anyone recovering from injury or who is movement impaired can sit back and relax in an infrared sauna and still reap the benefits of moderate aerobic exercise to improve circulation.

Exercise also induces sweating, a critical component for health and vitality. The heat produced from the infrared sauna causes the body to sweat profusely. This powerfully rids the body of toxic build-up from a cellular level. Toxic pollutants stored in the body’s network are correlating factors contributing to inducing the stress response. Prolonged states of the stress response are linked to chronic inflammation. Perspiration encourages the movement of harmful toxins up and out of the body. The powerful detoxification protocol that results from infrared sauna therapy releases the body from chronic stress (6).

Infrared Sauna Therapy Encourages A Positive Shift In The Autonomic Nervous System To Improve Blood Circulation

The infrared sauna is an oasis of relaxation. A relaxed body ignites cellular rejuvenation and regeneration. Increased circulation, relaxation, and detoxification are powerful components to the creation of a healthy internal climate of the body.

Attaining states of relaxation is necessary for nourishment and cellular repair to occur. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for creating states of being within the body. The sympathetic dominance of the autonomic nervous system occurs in response to either internal or external threats. It is the fight or flight response. This adaptive protocol ensures the safety of the body. Attention and energy are directed outward to protect the body. Circulation throughout the body is stunted and the vital organs are unable to capitalize on the availability of necessary nutrients. If states of the stress response or fight or flight are prolonged illness becomes inevitable (6).

Regular use of broad spectrum infrared saunas increases circulation to promote overall health by drawing individuals out of sympathetic dominance back into states of parasympathetic dominance where relaxation, nourishment, and growth can occur. When the body and mind are relaxed circulation improves. With improved circulation comes the ability for all portions of the body to be fed oxygen and nutrients. Arteries open and blood pressure is lowered.

Basking within the rays of the infrared light spectrum for just 15 minutes will alter states of being and draw the body back into parasympathetic dominance where blood circulation is fluid and nourishment occurs.

Bask In The Warm Rays Of The Infrared Sauna To Improve Blood Circulation

Woman laying in a sauna, which potentially improves blood circulation

The circulatory system of the body maintains coherent communication between all portions of human physiology. Circulation of blood feeds, nourishes, and keeps the body full of vital life force. Where there is a restriction in circulation, there is also illness. Improved blood circulation improves the overall function of the body affecting a myriad of conditions.

As we care for our physical bodies, improving blood circulation needs to be prioritized. Even where mobility issues cause aerobic exercise to be prohibitive, regular infrared sauna therapy will improve blood circulation, even while seated.

The unique relationship between the infrared light spectrum and the human body stokes a cascade of biochemical reactions that improve the oxygenation of the body through enhanced circulation.

If you are looking to lower blood pressure, decrease inflammation, or enjoy the benefits of moderate exercise while in a seated or reclined position, the infrared sauna therapy will likely be the ideal option to improve blood circulation.

Sources:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279250/
  2. https://www.livestrong.com/article/323211-benefits-of-increased-blood-circulation/
  3. https://www.ncsl.org/documents/health/chronicdtk13.pdf
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5505738/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3239317/
  6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sympathetic-nervous-system

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