Traditional Sauna Brisbane

What is Sauna Therapy?

Sauna and steam use is characterised by short term passive exposure to extreme heat. This results in mild hyperthermia- an increase in the body’s core temperature that induces a thermoregulatory response that restores homeostasis and conditions the body for future heat stressors.  There are various types of sauna therapy that also involve using cold plunge pools and indoor heated swimming pools.

The infrared spectrum

Near-infrared (NIR) wavelength is the shortest infrared wavelength that penetrates the skin very well. It can promote skin regeneration, cell health, wound healing and tissue growth.

Far Infrared (FIR) is a long wavelength that penetrates deep into the soft tissues where inflammatory processes occur.

Using both types is what makes infrared such an effective treatment when used in conjunction with sauna therapy.

An infrared sauna differs from a traditional dry sauna or steam room. The infrared light penetrates your skin and warms you up from the inside. The traditional sauna and steam room increase the temperature of the room or the humidity to increase the core temperature and elicit a response as your body tries to cool down.

What Happens to Your Body During a Sauna?

During the exposure to extreme heat your body elicits a rapid response:

• Core body temperature increases and you begin to sweat
• Blood flow increases 50-70% to your skin to facilitate sweating. On average, people lose 0.5kg of sweat during a sauna session.
• Heart rate mimics moderate intensity exercise- increasing to 100bpm up to 150bpm
• Plasma volume increases and heart can do less work for each beat as it’s pumping blood to deliver oxygen to tissues

These are just the visible signs of heat stress, it is through the invisible responses to heat stress that occur at a deeper level that provide the most benefits. This is likely through the physiological phenomenon know as hormesis.

Hormesis is a defensive response that occurs following exposure to a mild stressor. The hormetic responses to stress are typically disproportionate to the magnitude of the stressor. The  end result is the triggering of a vast array of protective responses in your body that elicit long term adaptations, repair cell damage, and provide protection from subsequent exposures to more  devastating stressors.

Click here to find out more about heat shock proteins, NRF2, FOXo3 and more on the molecular responses of heat stress.

Sauna Therapy supports cardiovascular and heart health

Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland tracked 2,300 middle-aged men for an average of 20 years.

They found that those that had 2-3 sauna sessions per week had:

• A 22% reduced chance of sudden cardiac death*
• A 27% reduced chance of dying from cardiovascular related causes*

Those that had 4-7 sauna sessions per week had:

• A 63% reduced chance of sudden cardiac death*
• A 50% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease-related death*
• A 48% reduced risk of coronary heart disease-related death*
• A 40% reduced risk of death (from all causes) *

*Benefit compared to participants who had 1 sauna session (at least 20 minutes) per week

Researchers reported that the benefit to cardiovascular health was likely due to the decrease in blood pressure and an increase in blood vessel diameter that heat exposure can provide. Study

The study also revealed that frequent sauna use reduced the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in a dose-dependent manner. Men who used the sauna four to seven times per week had a 66 percent lower risk of developing dementia and a 65 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, compared to men who used the sauna only one time per week.

What You Should Know Before Entering the Sauna

When using saunas, be aware that you are losing a lot of water in the process of sweating. So, it is important to keep hydrated, and if you are new to saunas, take frequent breaks for fresh air. Also, when using a sauna, start on a lower bench. As you progress, you can move up to the higher benches to increase heat intensity.

There are, of course, instances when to avoid saunas altogether. For example, there are health conditions that can make them quite dangerous. Please consult a doctor before using a steam room or attempting sauna therapy at a spa if you have any of the following conditions:

• Asthma or other breathing conditions
• Heart disease
• Epilepsy
• Or if you are currently pregnant.

Book Your Sauna Session in Brisbane Today

If all of this interests you, why not book a session with us at our Brisbane clinic today? With a huge variety of treatments to choose from, there will be something suited to your needs to help you relax.