Is The Portable Infrared Sauna For You?
For generations people have been running to the gym or the local "Y" to spend 20 minutes or so in the sauna. Whether to relax stiff and tired muscles, seek relief from arthritis pain, or to help in a weight loss program, a sauna is something that's been used, in some form, by almost every culture around the world for the better part of 600 years. But like everything else, the sauna has evolved into something perfectly suited to the "hurry-up-and-go" mentality of 2012.
I give you the portable infrared sauna.
The infrared sauna is the latest thing in sauna technology. Proponents of these systems believe that by adding infrared light to the heat of the sauna the benefits of using it are amplified. There is a good body of scientific and anecdotal evidence which suggests that at least some of the claims made by infrared sauna proponents are true. Because of that, infrared saunas have been popping up all over the place. But if you're like most people, and don't want a run down to the gym four nights a week, you can now get your own portable infrared sauna for use at home.
How does the portable infrared sauna work?
A stationary sauna provides heat by heating up rocks or ceramic blocks. The source of the heat can vary; some use electricity, others use gas, still others heat with fire. Obviously, none of that is practical in a portable unit. Instead, what you have is a tent-like structure which completely envelops the body except for the head and the hands. On two of the tent walls are infrared lights, while the third wall contains the heating element. You simply plug the portable sauna into a standard outlet and wait while it produces both heat and infrared light at the same time.
Many of these portable units come with a built-in chair which stands up by itself when the unit is unfolded. However, these chairs are not always the most comfortable, nor are they the strongest. Many people remove them and use a wooden stool instead. Should you decide to go that route, be careful not to damage the interior of the sauna while you're removing the seat.
Are portable infrared saunas expensive?
Like anything else, there is a wide variety of prices among various models. The least expensive models can be had for a couple of hundred dollars on sites like eBay and Amazon. The top-of-the-line models, which can seat several people simultaneously, can be upwards of $5,000. It all depends on how much you want to spend and what types of features you're looking for.
If you're thinking of getting a portable infrared sauna, here are a couple of tips. First of all, the point of the infrared spa is the light and the heat. To enjoy the maximum benefits of infrared sauna you actually don't need anything better than the basic model. It provides the heat and light plus an on/off switch and a temperature control. There really is no need for the rest of the bells and whistles. That being said, you do need to be careful of manufacturer and quality. Do some online reviews regarding specific models people have used. You'll find plenty about the quality of a given product this way.
Are portable infrared saunas safe?
If used with common sense and according to product instructions, portable infrared saunas are perfectly safe. Safety is only an issue when users remain inside for too long, don't pay attention to instructions regarding electricity, or try to modify or use the sauna in a way that was never intended. For example, the portable infrared sauna is designed to be a dry sauna. If you put a bowl of water on the floor inside, in the attempt to create steam, you are also creating a potentially dangerous environment.
You may very well indeed produced steam, but along with that you are risking electrocution, burns, and damage to the sauna itself. If you simply follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer you will have no safety issues. Go above and beyond those instructions, and you're risking problems.
What are the benefits of the portable infrared sauna?
Portable infrared saunas are very popular among patients who typically use a stationary sauna for pain relief issues. Online reviews show they are used by people suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and general pain issues ranging from pulled muscles to joint sprains. Although these uses are pretty common due to the fact that science has already shown that heat is beneficial for these things. Since infrared penetrates the deepest parts of body tissue, it's believed that for these same purposes, it helps to enhance the benefits of heat.
Portable infrared saunas are also advertised as being helpful for immune system boosting, heart health, ridding the body of toxins, reducing blood pressure, and helping reach weight-loss goals. Some of these benefits have a fair amount of scientific evidence attached to them, while others don't. As a rule of thumb, you should always investigate claims that interest you by searching for third-party sources with no vested interest either way. Only when you do proper research will you be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not a portable infrared sauna would be good for you.
