Chronic stress is truly an epidemic in our society. We are over-worked, under-nourished, over-stimulated, and sleep deprived. Our bodies are broken down, riddled with pain and inflammation. Our minds are scattered, constantly processing and unable to shut off. We do not pay attention to this or become aware of it fully until we find ourselves depressed, anxious, in chronic pain, or unable to function. We are simply trying to survive when we should be allowed to thrive.
We have known that chronic stress has been a predictor of heart disease, the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States, but still-somehow, we are unable to cultivate lifestyles that promote healing, restoration, and whole health wellness. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is our stress hormone, released by our adrenal glands. When we are chronically stressed, we produce an overabundance of cortisol which taxes our adrenal glands (hello chronic fatigue syndrome!) and sends our bodies into constant fight or flight mode (survival mode). Cortisol is also the link between trauma and chronic pain. When we are under chronic stress, cortisol, and adrenaline (another stress hormone) team up and sensitize the peripheral nerves directly- signaling pain even in the absence of nerve injury.
Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and other cellular dysfunctions caused by stress often inflame the body. When the body is riddled with inflammation it does not perform well and it often feels painful, sluggish, and depressed. Inflammation affects our immune systems greatly. We end up more sick, more often. Inflammation increases pain and is linked to depression and fatigue conditions. We also have an influx of autoimmune disorders that take more time to diagnosis (if you receive the correct diagnosis at all). More money and time are needed to treat chronic diseases, and today’s healthcare system is not equipped to give adequate care to those with chronic health issues. We live in a healthcare system that treats everything as an acute problem, treating the symptoms but not the root of the issue.
We absolutely need alternative treatments for mental and physical health. To me, we cannot consider one without the other. When we treat our physical health, we treat our mental health and vice versa. Throwing medicine at our health issues is not always the key to living healthfully and optimally. I have tried many forms of alternative and holistic health treatments and have come across a particular treatment that has shown amazing results when it comes to reducing inflammation, reducing depression and anxiety, reducing chronic stress and aiding in healing the central nervous system- which is vital in our overall health and wellbeing. Let’s discuss infrared therapy.
INFRARED HEAT THERAPY
What is infrared heat therapy?
Infrared heat therapy uses light to create heat. There are different wavelengths that determine different types of infrared light. Most commonly, there is “near infrared” and “far infrared”. The wavelength determines the depth of penetration through the skin. Far infrared reaches the deepest, whereas near infrared penetrates at a shallower level. Infrared light, unlike UV light, is beneficial for various reasons. Instead of the typical sauna which heats the air around you, infrared light sauna heats the body from the inside. Infrared saunas have been shown to benefit the body from a cellular level and has gained much popularity among biohackers and health gurus.
Infrared heat increases blood and oxygen flow to the tissues in your body by stimulating red blood cells .Red blood cells transport blood and oxygen all throughout the body. When oxygen flow is increased more nutrients are able to flow to your tissues and waste materials are released. An increase in oxygen flow also increase cognitive abilities like focus and concentration. When our cells have more oxygen, they are able to function more optimally which means an increase in immune response and a decrease in inflammation. Infrared heat’s ability to increase oxygen flow in the body and decrease stress hormones like cortisol is why it is a central nervous system healer-and should be incorporated into your health and wellness routine.
What are the benefits?
Infrared heat therapy, or infrared sauna therapy, has shown to be beneficial for a variety of issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic pain, injuries, inflammation, fat loss, muscle recovery, detoxification, decrease in stress, improvement in mood disorders, decrease in anxiety, improved sleep, improved immune response.
Are there any cons to this treatment?
Infrared saunas or heat therapy is generally safe. However, you should speak to your doctor about the use of heat therapy if you have any underlying chronic conditions or are pregnant.
Where can I get this type of therapy?
Infrared saunas are on the rise and you can find them at different spas, wellness offices, for sale on Amazon!- and many gyms or sports recovery facilities. I recently tried a workout in an infrared sauna at HOTWORX in Bloomingdale, IL. This is an innovative gym where the workout takes place in an infrared sauna, decreasing the time of your workout but increasing your energy expenditure due to the infrared heat. With all the benefits of infrared heat, it is no wonder I found myself wanting to go back for more!
Kelsey Ruffing, MA, MS, LCPC
Owner & CEO
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4263906/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6658985/
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/02/04/chronic-stress-can-cause-heart-trouble
https://infraredsauna.com/infrared-sauna-research-studies-science-articles/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjw__ihBhADEiwAXEazJr45dDxx4gfPuisbTWAHuA88UmQwsCyEKLU-vKHqLARQSimULAmrSRoCj8IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#tab14
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8061252/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19702553/