Submitted by Dr. Cory Hewko

The health benefits of Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) are numerous and easily achieved simply by relaxing in a far infrared sauna bed. The health benefits have long been known of superficial heat for relieving tight and achy muscles, but we are just at the tip of the iceberg for understanding the health benefits of far infrared heat. Heat is indicated when an injury is in the sub-acute and chronic phases of the injury cycle.

Heat helps to dilate the blood vessels of muscles, increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles which helps to heal the damaged tissue.

Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, which means that applying heat will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain and partially relieve the discomfort. Heat application facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the spine, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. Consequently, with heat therapy, there will be a decrease in stiffness as well as injury, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort. Flexibility is very important for a healthy back.

The unique benefit that Far Infrared heat has is that it penetrates up to 2 inches deep into the body, further enhancing the benefits mentioned above. The majority of back pain is due to either tight and knotted muscles, a misalignment of the spine, or both. Since muscles attach to bone, and more specifically the spine, both are usually affected. Deep heat promotes blood flow within the muscles of the back thus relaxing those tight muscles and decreasing the tension placed on the spine. Far Infrared helps promote rebuilding of injured tissue by having a positive effect on the fibroblasts (connective tissue cells necessary for the repair of injury). Furthermore, it increases growth of cells, DNA synthesis, and protein synthesis all necessary during tissue repair and regeneration.

With the addition of the Jade massage rollers on the Abaton Hybrid Infrared Massage Bed you get the added benefit of the Jade rollers producing Far Infrared and moxibustion (acupressure with heat) that absorbs deep into the muscle tissue. The Jade massage rollers go up and down the entire body and spine which mobilizes each vertebra in the spine breaking up scar tissue and increasing spinal flexibility. I highly recommend Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) as it is an excellent addition to any muscle and joint rehabilitation program.