Science of Sauna Therapy

Gale G., Rothbart P., Li Y., Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized, controlled trial, Pain Res Manag. 2006 Autumn; 11(3): 193–196.

The infrared wrap has clearly demonstrated that it is easy to use, safe and effective, and reduced chronic back pain by 50% over six weeks

Crinnion W., Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant- induced and other chronic health problems, Altern Med Rev. 2011 Sep;16(3):215-25.

Studies document the effectiveness of sauna therapy for persons with hypertension, congestive heart failure, and for post-myocardial infarction care. Some individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic fatigue, chronic pain, or addictions also find benefit. Existing evidence supports the use of saunas as a component of depuration (purification or cleansing) protocols for environmentally-induced illness.

Laukkanen T., Kunutsor S., Kauhanen J., Laukkanen J., Sauna bathing is inversely associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in middle-aged Finnish men, Age and Ageing, Volume 46, Issue 2, March 2017, Pages 245–249.

Moderate to high frequency of sauna bathing was associated with lowered risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ross G., Sternquist M., Methamphetamine exposure and chronic illness in police officers: significant improvement with sauna-based detoxification therapy, Toxicology and Industrial Health 28(8) 758–768.

This investigation strongly suggests that utilizing sauna and nutritional therapy may alleviate chronic symptoms appearing after chemical exposures associated with methamphetamine-related law enforcement activities.

Pilch W., Pokora I., Szyguła Z., Pałka T., Pilch P. , Cisoń T., Malik L., Wiecha S., Effect of a single finnish sauna session on white blood cell profile and cortisol levels in athletes and non-athletes, J Hum Kinet . 2013 Dec 31;39:127-35.

The obtained results indicated that sauna bathing stimulated the immune system to a higher degree in the group of athletes compared to the untrained subjects.

E Ernst, E Pecho, P Wirz, T Saradeth, Regular sauna bathing and the incidence of common colds, Ann Med. 1990;22(4):225-7.

It is concluded that regular sauna bathing probably reduces the incidence of common colds.

Jari A Laukkanen, Tanjaniina Laukkanen, Sauna bathing and systemic inflammation, Eur J Epidemiol. 2018 Mar;33(3):351-353.

C-reactive protein is a leading blood marker of systemic inflammation…. there was a significant inverse association between the frequency of sauna bathing and the level of C-reactive protein.

Hamblin M., Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation, AIMS Biophys. 2017; 4(3): 337–361.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation…. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.

J T Selsby, S Rother, S Tsuda, O Pracash, J Quindry, S L Dodd, Intermittent hyperthermia enhances skeletal muscle regrowth and attenuates oxidative damage following reloading, J Appl Physiol (1985). 2007 Apr;102(4):1702-7.

These data suggest that intermittent hyperthermia during reloading attenuates oxidative stress and improves the rate of skeletal muscle regrowth

Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near-infrared light therapy, Mitochondrion. 2004 Sep;4(5-6):559-67.

NIR-LED photobiomodulation represents an innovative and non-invasive therapeutic approach for the treatment of tissue injury and disease processes in which mitochondrial dysfunction is postulated to play a role including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy and Parkinson’s disease.

B A Russell, N Kellett, L R Reilly, A study to determine the efficacy of combination LED light therapy (633 nm and 830 nm) in facial skin rejuvenation, J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2005 Dec;7(3-4):196-200.

Omnilux combination red and near infrared LED therapy represents an effective and acceptable method of photo rejuvenation (of facial skin).

Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound Healing, Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery Volume 19, Number 6, 2001p. 305–314.

We believe that the use of NASA LED for (near infrared) light therapy alone, and in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen, will greatly enhance the natural wound healing process, and more quickly return the patient to a preinjury/illness level of activity.