Introduction This is a general compilation of known and reported benefits of sauna therapy. Some of the following is based on generally recognized (by the scientific community) benefits like those derived from increased heart rate, for example, while the rest is based on a large bank of experience in the use of saunas, sweat lodges and other heated environments over literally thousands of years. We are in no way trying to convince you to buy a sauna here and provide this information in the hope that we can help others achieve better health through sauna use - whether it is in your home or local gym. 
It also should be pointed out here that there is a lot of discussion regarding the health benefits afforded by the two types of sauna, ie: traditional and infrared saunas, however much of the discussion seems to pivot on the degree of benefits. Although traditional saunas appear to have many of the same effects as infrared saunas one main difference is that one cannot spend as much time in a traditional sauna due to the high temperature and therefore not as much sweat is produced and the benefits are consequently less. There is also evidence that as the infrared rays penetrate more deeply into the body they can affect muscle tissues and other parts of the body that simple external heat cannot affect - for a comparison of traditional saunas and infrared saunas please go to our Sauna Info page. 
Effects of Sauna Use 
1. The First effect on our bodies is that it raises our core temperature. During a 15-30 minute sauna session skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). This rise in temperature creates an artificial fever state, known as hyperthermia. Fever is part of the body's natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system, resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability). The rise in temperature also activates our sweat glands, which is the body's natural defense to purge itself of toxins, cleans the skin and lowers the core temperature so we don't overheat. These are all natural reactions the body has developed as we evolved over time to battle overexposure to heat. There are numerous proven health benefits that directly correlate to this phenomenon. 
2. The Second effect is that it gets our heart to start pumping faster. This is another reaction to the penetrating heat being absorbed by our bodies. As the heart pumps faster, blood flows through out the body, bringing vital nutrients and oxygen to our organs as well as carrying out toxins and waste that is no longer needed. Daily 15-30 minute sauna sessions will increase the hearts pumping action as though it were performing physical exercise. With this increase comes the benefit of a healthier heart, better blood flow and circulation as well as over all better health, as the body's internal network is allowed to supply and replenish vital components to organs, muscles and bones. 
3. The Third effect on the human body is through the detoxification process. In today's modern world we are surrounded by toxins, chemicals and other man-made pollutants that our bodies are inevitably exposed to and that are impossible to avoid. With so many of these foreign objects being ingested by our systems, our bodies are having a difficult time finding ways to eliminate them and many times this can lead to temporary sicknesses, chronic illnesses and even death. Beyond the sweating process and blood flow increases that we outlined above, which do excrete some toxins, infrared energy is now being linked to the ability to detoxify our fat cells and tissues. Fat cells and surrounding tissues have the main goal of storing energy in the form of fat. Unfortunately, in our modern world they are now beginning to also store the excess toxins and pollutants that our systems can't naturally excrete. Even more detrimental is that many times the body will excrete natural compounds and leave behind harmful, man-made, toxic metabolites. The storing of these toxins can lead to many negative outcomes. Infrared technology has been shown to be one of the best forms of purging these toxins from our bodies and it has been demonstrated that habitual use can cleanse the fatty cells and allow the internal systems of the body to perform at an optimum level. As you can see, by using the body's natural defense mechanisms and boosting its ability to purge toxins we have the capability to fight off established diseases, ailments and discomforts as well as become more proactive and build defenses to avoid future problems. Activate Your Sweat Glands 
Due to the conveniences of our modern world many people simply don't sweat enough or get enough exercise and this makes using a sauna particularly desirable. Antiperspirants, artificial environments, smog, synthetic clothing, and a physically idle lifestyle all conspire to clog skin pores and inhibit the healthy flow of sweat. These detrimental effects are reversed through sauna therapy.
During a 15-minute sauna session, sweating can perform the heavy metal elimination that would take the kidneys up to 24 hours. Ninety-nine percent of what sweat brings to the surface of the skin is water, but the remaining one percent is mostly undesirable wastes.
Heart & Circulation System Detoxification & Immune System Function 
Sauna detoxification is also thought to lead to the removal of fat soluble chemicals from the body by encouraging their elimination through sebaceous and sweat glands. Excretion of lipophylic chemicals through the sweat glands has been documented extensively for a variety of compounds including morphine, amphetamines, chlorinated pesticides, herbicides, PCB's, PCP's, and general volatile substances. During a fever, one of the reasons that the body heats up is to eliminate viruses and attack foreign agents. When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to this high heat creates an artificial fever state, a process known as hyperthermia - part of the body's natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system, resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability). Recent studies also show that colds and flu-like illnesses are reduced dramatically if treated in the early stages with sauna heat therapy. Infrared heat is also said to kill all kinds of bacteria and insects such as lice. Promote Healthy Skin Weight Loss 
Having a higher metabolic rate doesn't mean you will lose weight. However, having a higher metabolic rate does mean that your body can convert food into energy faster which allows the body to burn off the energy through perspiration. By having a slower metabolic rate the body starts to store the energy in fat tissues, which, if not released through diet and exercise, will remain in the tissue and weight will be gained. In addition to generating a higher metabolic rate a sauna also assists in weight loss in three other significant ways: 1/ It effectively reduces heavy metals which have been directly related to metabolic imbalances in the body causing poor digestion and weight gain. 2/ It decreases toxins stored in fat. Often weight loss cannot be accomplished unless these toxins are first removed. 3/ Although weight loss due to perspiration (water loss) is quickly regained, sending more blood to the capillaries and converting fats and carbohydrates into energy results in as much as 600 calories being burned during one short sauna session. Sports Injuries and Muscle Fatigue Meditation Psychological Benefits
Depression & Mood Imbalances Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Eczema & Psoriasis Summing Up |
Your skin is being deeply cleansed and your immune system is being strengthened while you burn calories and lose cellulite. You can even find pain relief in a sauna but more important, perhaps, in today's hectic world - where no one seems to have any time anymore, the benefit of simply taking some time for oneself in a private and tranquil environment is immeasurable. Probably the most important thing that could be said about the effects of a sauna can be condensed into one word - Cleansing. After regular use of a sauna many people report that basic functions of the body simply work better- they feel better, look better and have more energy. Many people also find some of these benefits by sunbathing or exercising, for example, and combining these with regular use of a sauna can pave the way to truly radiant health. 
As you relax in a sauna, heat sensitive nerve endings produce acetylcholine, a chemical which alerts the 2.3 million sweat glands embedded in the skin. The outcome of this reaction is that during a 15-minute sauna session the body can excrete up to one liter of sweat (depending upon the individual, normal daily rates range from 0.5 to 1.5 liters). The excreted sweat is known as Eccrine sweat. One of its chief functions is to cool the body by evaporation, but it also clears clogged pores and gives the skin a chance to breath. Sweat also has the function of being a judicious garbage collector.
Another benefit is that eliminating excessive salt by sweating is generally believed to be beneficial for cases of mild hypertension. Sweating also rids the body of Urea, a metabolic by-product, which if not disposed of regularly, can cause headaches, nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting, coma and even death. Sweating is such an effective de-toxifier that some physicians recommend home saunas to supplement kidney machines. Sweat also draws out lactic acid which causes stiff muscles and contributes to general fatigue. Sweat flushes out toxic metals such as copper, lead, zinc and mercury which the body absorbs in polluted environments.
This increased blood flow brings important nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue, promoting cellular activity and growth. It is especially beneficial to areas of the skin which normally suffer from poor circulation. Along with nourishing the skin, the high temperatures also cause the skin's 2 million Eccrine glands to excrete sweat to cool down the skin and blood capillaries. Research has shown that sweat is much more effective than water at emulsifying fat located in the skin's sebaceous glands and therefore also at removing the sebum and bacteria lodged in the fat. The vasodilatations caused by the high temperatures also allow essential fluids to be transported to the skin's surface. This enhances the development of collagen, giving the skin a continued elasticity and wrinkle-free appearance. It also cleans the pores and frees them of trapped toxins and particles that, if left alone, would irritate the skin and cause the growth of blackheads and acne. The act of sweating as well as brushing with a Loofa or rough brush removes flakes of dried skin cells that accumulate on the epidermis. If allowed to remain, they can also clog sweat pores and oil passages and result in dry, flaky skin. As our skin is our largest organ keeping the skin healthy is a vital part of maintaining a healthy body and in this way chemicals and toxins that enter the body can be released without causing further damage.
Depending on the type and severity of the injury healing time can take days, months or even years. Typically, doctors will prescribe something for pain and inflammation, have the individual undergo physical therapy and, in extreme cases, perform surgery. What doctors and scientists have known for years though is that radiant heat is one of the best treatments to help recover from sprains, strains, muscle spasms, tears, arthritis and muscle pain. Heat is capable of penetrating into the body's tissues and muscles and, because of this, improvement to the injury is generally quicker and more effective than simply wrapping the muscle and letting it heal on its own. With infrared heat technology, oxygen debt within the body is repaid much quicker than with traditional forms of treatment or even other types of saunas. Another benefit is that muscles relax more readily when tissues are warm allowing for greater flexibility and range of motion. Saunas are used extensively by all kinds of athletes to warm their muscles before and after working out and to prevent injuries and promote relaxation.
The awareness that meditation brings can also be a source of personal insight and self-understanding. The comfort found in a sauna environment allows for peaceful, relaxed, undisturbed meditation that will allow you to improve your mental health along with the physical. As the age old adage goes, what's good for the mind is good for the body. Here are some added benefits meditation can bring:
People who live in locations where sunlight isn't a year round commodity know how much the sun's energy, and lack thereof, affects ones moods and how this can lead to depression. Most of these symptoms have been attributed to lack of light, but today scientists are realizing that other aspects of the sun's electromagnetic wavelength might be playing key roles. Endorphins have long been recognized as influencing mood and the body's ability to fight depression. Athletes are very familiar with endorphins because they are what give them the workout "high" or uplifting mood swing they experiences when partaking in physical exercise. They also know that lows or depression can follow when the body is deprived of exercise. When the body undergoes physical strain the brain releases endorphins in large quantities. These endorphins are carried throughout the body through the blood stream where they stay for hours providing an uplifted mood and happier outlook. Far Infrared heat therapy has been documented to boost the body's endorphins just as if it were exercising. Furthermore, when one relaxes in far infrared heat, the body's muscles and tissues release stored up tension and stress, elevating ones mood and leaving the body and mind uplifted and relaxed. When meditation is added to the sauna session the body can achieve many other documented health benefits, including mental wellbeing, reducing depression and maintaining a healthy physical and mental balance. 
When one is able to reduce the toxins and heavy metals in sufferers of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, their symptoms often greatly improve. A number of people are also suffering unknowingly from mercury poisoning or from intoxification by other heavy metals such as lead and aluminum. The infrared sauna has been invaluable in accelerating the removal of these toxic metals. By raising the core temperature and creating a 'hyperthermia' effect, the sauna also improves a number of parameters in the immune system used to fight pain. Arthritis pains are another ailment that can be greatly improved through the practice of sauna bathing. The deep heat helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. In Europe, radiant heat therapy is widely used to treat patients suffering form many forms of arthritis. It has been proven effective in the treatment of sprains, neuralgia, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness and many other musculoskeletal ailments. Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscles so they recover faster. Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, promoting greater flexibility and range of motion. Much of the stiffness, aches and soreness that come with aging can be reduced or eliminated.
Your pores are thoroughly cleansed while you sweat during your sauna session which eliminates the itching associated with eczema and psoriasis and stimulates the healing process of repairing the skin. Saunas are also very successful when it comes to relief of stress, which has been proven to be a trigger for both eczema and psoriasis. Sauna therapy allows you to rid yourself of the risks associated with emollient creams, lubricating ointments and steroid creams that are traditionally used to treat eczema and psoriasis. These medical ointments often cause thinning of the skin, acne like breakouts, broken blood vessels and stretch marks.