I recently had the pleasure of attending the launch party for Sky at Pryority Wellness in New Canaan. Sky is the latest addition to the wellness empire of entrepreneur Julie Pryor, who has been in business in New Canaan for over 15 years offering services ranging from Pilates instruction and massage therapy through to nutrition counseling. Julie told me “I am always looking to bring effective, scientifically proven wellness products and services to our clients. I first learned of the health benefits of the sauna from Dr. Mercola (someone I have followed and admired in the wellness industry for over 15 years). The health benefits of the sauna are relaxation, pain relief, improved circulation and anti-inflammatory. The expansion to Pryority Sky seemed a perfect opportunity to provide our clients access to the far infrared sauna.”
I decided to look into the history and science behind the use of infrared saunas.
A Brief History of Saunas
The health benefits of saunas have been known for over 2000 years. Attendees at Greek and Roman Baths would move from rooms and pools of varying temperature, including a hot room (caldarium in Latin), which was much like the modern sauna. Saunas have long been thought to be good for general healing, skin hygiene and relaxation. Saunas have also popular in Scandinavia for many centuries. In the last 20 years medical research has been looking into the benefits of sauna from a more scientific standpoint, seeing a resurgence of saunas and their use in many fields of sports medicine and the wellness industry.
Benefits of Infrared Sauna
Research is growing on the benefits of infrared sauna. While results may vary considerably between individuals the body of evidence shows that there are many potential benefits that may last up to 3-6 hours after the sauna itself:
- Detox: Along with your kidneys and liver your skin plays a major role in ridding your body of disease causing toxins. Infrared saunas have been shown to increase sweating rate and the levels of undesirable toxins such as heavy metals and sulfuric acid in the sweat.
- Skin health: The high temperatures of sauna increase blood flow within the skin (dermal perfusion). A 12-week study in The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed a reduction in wrinkles and crow’s feet, improved overall skin tone (including softness, smoothness, elasticity, clarity and firmness).
- Improved cardiac health: 1 in 3 Americans will die of heart disease, so we are always looking for new ways to reduce our risk. Sauna can increase both skin and core temperature (1-2 degrees) cardiac output and blood vessel dilation and thus blood flow throughout the body, reduce cortisol and lower blood pressure (after the sauna).
- Healing and pain relief: the penetrating heat of the sauna increases circulation to the muscles and joints and this in turn improves oxygenation, cell regeneration and relaxation. Medical professionals often recommend sauna for sports injuries, chronic fatigue and chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Studies have shown that sauna can increase joint range and ease of motion and reduce stiffness. Another study from Japan published in the journal Internal Medicine, showed that chronic pain could be significantly reduced after just one session of infrared sauna therapy. Detoxification and improved circulation may also improve immune system health.
- Stress relief: who doesn’t need to relax more? Stress is a major public health problem and is associated with an increased risk for most chronic diseases. Research shows that many experience a reduction in cortisol post-session and this in addition to the muscle relaxation mentioned above is great for managing stress.
- Immune health: A sauna stimulates the circulatory system, causing the heart to beat more vigorously and blood vessels to dilate, which help cleanse the circulatory system and improve oxygenation of cells. It is also thought that sauna can speed healing of some wounds. One study showed that athletes’ immune response improved after a sauna session.
- Managing weight: extremes of weight are major health risks, so it’s good to know that sauna can raise basic metabolic rate and help drop some of those stubborn unwanted pounds, especially belly fat.
Time to head to the sauna!
As well as the benefits of sneaking off for a little “me-time” the tremendous health benefits outlined make sauna a great addition to a healthy lifestyle. So don’t wait to head down to Pryority Wellness to book your first infrared sauna session. Your body will love you for it!
Pryority Wellness is located at Halo Studio on 45 Grove St, New Canaan, Connecticut.
For more information visit: http://www.pryoritywellness.com or call 203-594-1522.