One of the most interesting areas of implementation of FIR could be to relieve congestive heart failure. In this condition, the heart is no longer able to pump blood effectively, often leading to a congestion of fluid in the lungs and lower extremities. It can lead to frequent hospital admissions, significantly decreased quality of life and more costs to our overburdened health care system. FIR has been used to help the heart’s squeezing power. Treatments with the sauna improved the physical signs against heart failure and had a significantly improvement in quality of life.
FIR treatment has also shown similar healing effects with heart function and size, improved quality of life as well as the improve the function of the inner lining of the blood vessels. FIR has even demonstrated the ability to decrease the rate of irregular heart rhythms, another important complication of heart failure.
FIR may help protect against heart disease by protecting the delicate, inner lining of the blood vessels from damage. This could be a wonderful application for the treatment of heart disease, particularly heart failure. Severe heart failure can limit an individual’s ability to perform even light exercise and even simple tasks at home.
FIR may substantially impact several other chronic diseases. Research is showing early success with chronic fatigue syndrome and pain with fibromyalgia [Source: Masuda, Matsushita]. This is reassuring since these conditions have almost no formal treatment regimens. Other pain research shows benefit with FIR.
Even depression seemed to improve with regular FIR treatments. The sauna treatments have shown to improve inflammatory conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome (a condition that involves dry mouth) and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sauna treatments can be done at a temperature tolerated by the patient. The research commonly quotes 60 degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If this seems too hot initially, the treatment can be started at a lower temperature and increased during future visits. Some of the heart studies were done once a week, other studies were done daily for two weeks. Those with a history of significant heart failure should discuss this treatment with their doctor first. The treatment is usually done for 15 minutes. In many studies the patient would then lie down on a bed outside of the sauna while covered in towels for an additional 15-30 minutes of rest. FIR is thought to help detox the body. Those with a history of high, heavy metal burden or multiple chemical sensitivity may need to start with low temperatures and shorter treatment times.
In terms of infrared sauna health benefits, perhaps the most important is the detoxification that occurs as the deep heat penetration helps to remove toxins stored in fat cells. Most people do not know that the skin is actually our largest organ, acting much like a third kidney. Infrared saunas can also be used as a natural, holistic way to help treat an endless list of ailments, diseases and other problems, including skin conditions, heart disease, muscle pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, joint stiffness and weight loss. A single infrared sauna session can burn the equivalent in calories as running 2-3 miles. Far infrared heat acts as an anti-inflammatory to acute injuries and may even be recommended for people with heart conditions who can’t withstand the higher temperatures of traditional saunas.
Far Infrared energy waves work off a process known as Direct Light Conversion. Direct Light Conversion is a phenomenon which only warms the object it focuses on and does not warm the free air surrounding it. Studies have shown that only 20% of the Far Infrared Ray heat created in a sauna is lost into the air, leaving 80% to be absorbed by the body. The Infrared heat penetrates deep down into the body’s core, creating a deep sweat, while also detoxifying tissue, relaxing the muscles and internal organs.
Far Infrared energy waves work off a process known as Direct Light Conversion. Direct Light Conversion is a phenomenon which only warms the object it focuses on and does not warm the free air surrounding it. Studies have shown that only 20% of the Far Infrared Ray heat created in a sauna is lost into the air, leaving 80% to be absorbed by the body.
In recent clinical trials, it was found that this particular form of thermal therapy has been beneficial to a number of various illnesses including gastro enteric disorder, constipation, headache and blood pressure problems.
This product can also help offer relief from the following symptoms:
Parkinson’s disease • stroke • kidney • prostate • diarrhea • constipation • expansion of abdominal region • stomach • ulcers • lungs • asthma • yellow jaundice • heart • liver sclerosis • fatty liver • arteriosclerosis • hypertension • sore hands • eye diseases • deafness • headaches • cataract • tonsillitis • thyroid insufficiency • emphysema • insomnia • nervous prostration • diabetes • menstrual irregularities • reproductive organs • bladder • sciatica • obesity • enteritis • stomachache • loss of energy
Pre-Therapy Sessions*
These shorter sauna therapy sessions can be packaged, or an add-on, with any of the other therapy sessions offered at Vital Warrior. For example, a client may choose a 20-minute pre-sauna massage to relax the body and fully augment their experience of the sauna.
* Add-on service: A lighter and shorter sauna experience intended to promote relaxation and warm up muscles prior to your massage. Allows for more effective massage and not meant for “detox/sweat”.
Rolfing is a therapy system created by The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (also referred to as “RISI”), founded by Ida Pauline Rolf in 1971. The Institute states that Rolfing is a “holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organize(s) the whole body in gravity”. Manipulation of the muscle fasciae is believed to yield therapeutic benefits, including that clients stand straighter, gain height and move better, through the correction of soft tissue fixations or dystonia. A review found that evidence for clinical effectiveness and hypothesized mechanisms of Rolfing is severely limited by small sample sizes and absence of control arms, and that further research is needed, though controlled trials found that a single Rolfing session significantly decreases standing pelvic tilt angle, and that Rolfing caused a lasting decrease in state anxiety when compared to the control group. Only practitioners certified by RISI can use the title “Rolfer,” or practice “Rolfing,” due to service mark ownership. The Guild for Structural Integration is the other certifying body, whose graduates use the title “Practitioners of the Rolf Method of Structural Integration.”
