Balance Point Health Centre is thrilled to offer a leading-edge health modality, Far Infrared Sauna therapy by SaunaRay, with Himalayan Salt Panels, the perfect complement to any health protocol provided at the clinic.

Whether you are an athlete looking to ease pain in the body or someone looking to accelerate healing through detoxification, we think you are going to love what this powerful sauna provides.  

Once we started looking for an infrared sauna, we realized very quickly that there is a lot of misleading information out there.  Not all infrared sauna’s are created equal!  We did loads of research to find the BEST and most tested sauna out there…with health benefits at the top of our list.

What we were looking for:

Criteria:

• a sauna with low or zero EMF
• made with hypoallergenic wood
• no toxic glue or fake wood
• highly tested units…not just the heaters (which is what many manufacturers test…leading you to believe you have low EMF)
• Canadian made by hand (always good to support local business)
• the best heaters…to get in there and do the work
• not too much glass on the front…we wanted to minimize heat loss

What is infrared heat used for?

The infrared spectrum emitted by the infrared sauna offers an astounding range of possible therapeutic benefits according to research studies conducted around the world.

Infrared sauna therapy is beneficial for:

• detoxification
• easing joint pain and stiffness
• improving injury healing
• weight management
• improving blood circulation
• cardiovascular conditioning
• relaxation and stress management
• skin care
• immune system enhancing

How do they differ from a regular sauna?

Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they use infrared lamps (that use electromagnetic radiation) to warm your body directly.

“These saunas use infrared panels instead of conventional heat to easily penetrate human tissue, heating up your body before heating up the air,” explains physical therapist, Vivian Eisenstadt, MAPT, CPT, MASP.

An infrared sauna can operate at a lower temperature (usually between 120˚F and 140˚F) than a traditional sauna, which is typically between 150˚F and 180˚F.

Radiant heat is very therapeutic for your overall well being. It helps to support your body’s natural ‘defence’ system to easily ward off harmful contaminates. An infrared-based system can warm your body to a much greater degree and much more efficient manner than a conventional sauna, as its energy output is primarily used to convert energy directly to heat inside the body and not to create excessively hot air which then only superficially heats the skin. This radiant heat is absorbed by your body to a depth of over 1.5 inches below the skin.

Who would this sauna benefit?

Anyone! (see q&a for a few contraindications)

If you are looking to burn calories…and who doesn’t love the thought of that!?  Heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate increase overall cardiovascular fitness and you can burn 600 more calories in just one 30 minute session.

If you are looking for pain relief, know that the deep heat helps blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissues injuries.  In Europe and other wellness clinics, infrared head is widely used to treat patients suffering from many forms of arthritis.  In Japan, they have used infrared sauna’s to treat backache, bursitis, fibromyalgia, headaches, sprains, strains and many other muscular-skeletal ailments.

At the first sign of illness, increase sessions to aid the body in boosting the immune system and decreasing the rate at which the virus/bacterial replicates.

Need to reduce impact of stress?  Salt panels have been installed in the sauna to improve the experience and health benefits of the unit.  Himalayan crystal salt creates negative ions, which have the ability to combat the effects of free radicals while producing a surprisingly relaxing sensation. Much like the feeling you get at the ocean, or immediately following a storm, air charged with negative ions suppresses serotonin within the body, thereby instigating higher energy levels and positive moods. The power of fresh air is our life-blood, it affects every part of our body.

Where’s the research!?

• A small 10-person study Trusted Source found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome benefited from using an infrared sauna as part of an overall treatment.
• Another 10-person study Trusted Source found that infrared saunas helped decrease muscle soreness and increase recovery from strength-training sessions.
• According to one review, several studies have found that infrared light therapy saunas may help reduce blood pressure.
• In 2006, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that inhaling a high concentration of Himalayan salt improved lung function in cystic fibrosis sufferers. Further studies prove that the symptoms of chronic asthma and bronchitis sincerely improved upon inhalation of a Himalayan salt-based solution.
• Research shows that infrared sauna may improve your blood vessels’ ability to expand and adapt to changes in blood pressure.
• Studies also show that infrared sauna can lower your blood pressure, which is also good for your ticker.
• Research has also shown that infrared sauna can reduce oxidative stress in the body, which may be associated with heart disease and a number of other ailments.

What would I bring to my infrared sauna therapy session?

Please bring the following items with you in order to make the experience more enjoyable and safe.

• 3 towels. (one to sit on, one under your feet, and one to wipe sweat away and to dry off afterwards)
• Flip flops to wear in the sauna
• Water bottle (we provide pure, filtered water, but we ask that you use your own water bottle to fill)
• Reading material (some materials are available but must remain in the office)

You may rent towels for $2.00 each if you forget yours!  We also have complementary essential oils, filtered water, a meditation device and meditation materials.

Other details.

• avoid eating prior to your session
• hydrate before, hydrate during, hydrate after!
• avoid applying body lotion before your session
• if addressing heavy metal, chemical or pesticide toxicity, you may notice you don’t sweat at first.  This is a protective measure by the body.  It could take up to 10 sessions before you notice your body is ready to release the toxins!   Know that elimination is still happening if you don’t sweat.  It’s just coming out in different ways. (urinating, hair, bowels)
• if you are focusing on a certain area, place it as close to the infrared emitters as comfortable.

Sign up for your 30 min Session today!

Q&A

1. Are there any contraindications?

Yes.  If you have any of the conditions below, you will want to avoid the sauna for now:

• pregnant
• nauseous
• under the age of 14
• have a pacemaker
• have a fever
• have a headache
• suffer from a seizure disorder
• a tumor or metastatic cancer
• any areas of your body where you have decreased sensations, open wounds or active bleeding
• breathing difficulties
• uncontrolled/unmedicated diabetes
• uncontrolled high blood pressure
• heat sensitive

Medications: Diuretics, Barbiturates and beta-blockers may impair body’s natural heat loss mechanisms, Anticholinergics such as amitryptaline may inhibit sweating and can predispose persons to heat rash or to a mild heat stroke.  Some OTC drugs, like anti-histamines, may also cause the body to be more prone to heat stroke.

Elderly (over age of 70):  The body must be able to activate its natural cooling processes in order to maintain core body temperature.  As we mature, our bodies naturally lose this capability.  We will start you at a lower temperature.

2.  How long will it take to notice something happening?

Some people notice an increase in energy right away!  Some may not sweat in their first couple sessions because the body isn’t ready.