Benefits of Infrared Sauna use for First Responders

Benefits of Infrared Sauna Use for First Responders

(firefighters, police personnel, EMT’s, paramedics, and active and discharged military)

First responders have one of the highest risks for exposure to toxin overload from chemicals such as PCBs, PBBs, dioxins, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, BPA, and more. Symptoms of toxin overload include:

Fatigue Headache Joint/muscle pain
Frequent colds and flu Allergies Hormonal imbalances
Chemical sensitivity Sinus congestion Psoriasis and other skin conditions
Loss of dexterity Insomnia Memory loss
Mood changes Mental confusion

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Infrared saunas offer a viable solution to naturally and safely removing toxins from the body. Whole body infrared saunas have been used by German physicians for over 80 years and are used extensively in Germany, other areas of Europe, Japan, and Canada. Medical research has been conducted on infrared saunas in the United States since the 1950s and Mayo Clinic reports, no adverse effects have been reported with infrared saunas.”

Saunas were used as the primary treatment for toxin overload for first responders after 9/11. Sauna detox studies have long showed that saunas reduce PCBs, PBBs, dioxins, various drugs, pesticides, and heavy metals from the body. A study conducted on first responders of the World Trade Center (WTC) utilizing a sauna detox protocol found:

  • 84% of responders were able to discontinue medications used to manage symptoms related to World Trade Center exposure
  • Over 50% of responders were using pulmonary medications and 72% of them were off all pulmonary medications after detoxification
  • Thyroid function testing showed statistically significant improvement
  • Intelligence Quotient (IQ) testing showed improvement in cognitive function
  • Postural Sway Testing (balance) showed significant improvement in vestibular function2

A traditional sauna was used on the WPC responders which required sauna sessions of 2 to 5 hours. Infrared saunas are 7 times more effective at removing the same toxins which allows for manageable sessions of 30 minutes.

What is an infrared sauna? Infrared saunas use infrared light waves which the body feels as heat to warm the body directly. This triggers a boost in the immune system, increase in circulation, and deep cleansing sweat. Infrared light is just beyond the visible spectrum and naturally produced by the sun and our body’s cells. Infrared saunas are designed to produce the most healing spectrum of infrared light and the technology is used everyday in NICU units to keep newborns warm.

What are the benefits of infrared (IR) sauna use? Beyond the detoxification benefits, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) reports a moderately conditioned person can burn between 300-600 calories in 30 minutes of sauna use. In a Chinese study, IR saunas showed 90% improvement in soft tissue injuries, lumbar strain, periarthritis of the shoulder, sciatica, neurodermatitis, eczema with infection, post-surgery infections, diarrhea, cholecystis, neurasthenia, pelvic infections (UTI), tineas, frostbite, and facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy).3

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a 5-year study that determined firefighters in the US suffer higher rates of certain cancers than the general public. Recent research is finding that for every 5-degree increase in temperature, the body absorption rate can increase up to 400%. Many of the new construction and household materials are being made out of chemicals that the body doesn’t recognize and process causing these toxins to build up in cells.4 This causes an accumulative effect over a lifetime. On www.rethinkingcancer.org, the Foundation in Advancements in Cancer Therapy has listed over 12 ways infrared saunas aid in fighting cancer. In the Journal of Cancer Science and Therapy, scientists studying cancer cells in mice found an 86% reduction of tumor volume in 30 days with infrared therapy.5

Research accumulated from World Trade Center first responders and numerous studies conducted over the past 60+ years have continually showed the benefits of infrared sauna use. It is widely used in other countries with over 30 million people who have received infrared treatment in the Orient, Europe, and Australia.3 For additional information on how infrared sauna sessions can benefit you, see our website: https://centeredtherapies.com/.

 

1 http://lifestylelaboratory.com/articles/enviro-toxin-overload.html

2 Marie A. Cecchini, MS; David E. Root, MD, MPH; Jeremie R. Rachunow, MD; and Phyllis M. Gelb, MD. Chemical Exposures at the World Trade Center: Use of the Hubbard Sauna Detoxification Regimen to Improve the Health Status of New York City Rescue Workers Exposed to Toxicants. Townsend Letter for Doctor & Patients April 2006,

http://www.townsendletter.com/Dec2006/chemexp1206.html

4 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2017/02/06/cancer-toughest-foe-firefighters/97463154/

5 Tatsuo I, Ishibashi, J. et al Non-Thermal Effects of Far-Infrared Ray (FIR) on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells HepG2 and their Tumors,J Cancer Sci Ther Volume1(2) : 078-082 (2009) – 078 http://www.omicsonline.org/ArchiveJCST/2009/December/01/JCST1.78.pdf