Spa Treatments

Dr. Oz Discusses Far Infrared Therapy on the Oprah Show!

High-Tech Ways to Extend Your Life

The next life extension tool that Dr. Oz wheels onto Oprah's stage can help you burn 700 calories…without lifting a finger.

Dr. Oz says his in-laws introduced him to the infrared sauna, which is slightly different than a normal sauna. "It makes the same rays that come from the sun and filters out the UV radiation, so it only gives you the infrared radiation," he says. "That radiation that's infrared goes a little bit into your skin so, without heating you up and the external environment too much, it heats the body up."

After a few minutes in the sauna, Oprah says she's starting to feel the heat. Dr. Oz says the high temperature helps lower blood pressure and increase blood circulation. "It gets your heart to beat faster, and it burns calories," Dr. Oz says. "It raises your metabolism a little bit, and also when you sweat, you sweat out toxins through the skin."

FAR INFRARED SAUNA THERAPY

Benefits of Far Infrared Sauna Detoxification

Claimed to stimulate the body to release fat-soluble toxins, heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals in sweat via pores more effectively than any other form of heat therapy or exercise.

Sweating via exercise is said not to be as effective because it works via the sympathetic nervous system which is said to inhibit toxin elimination.  Reported to be “method of choice” for chronically ill patients as well as those that are well and wish to stay that way by reducing their “toxic burden.”

This is the only way to remove the noxious substances that silicon breast implants put out.

Reports have been made that it can relieve the symptoms of drug-induced lupus.

The list of chemicals claimed to be removed from the body includes:  Mercury, lead, copper, cadmium, manganese, sodium, chloride, arsenic, nickel, benzenes, street drugs, prescription drugs, anesthetics, cholesterol, urea, nicotine, sulfuric acid

Immune System Enhancement
A typical sauna session will cause a brief 1 to 3 degree F increase in body temperature.  Fever is the body's defense against bacteria, microbes and consequent infection.  This side effect is said to trigger the production of white blood cells by the bone marrow and killer T cells by the thymus.  The overall result is claimed to be immune system enhancement as well as the killing of microorganisms.

Stress
Continuous strain on the autonomic nervous system leads to a high level of stress, one of the elusive causes of many chronic diseases.  Allowing the capillaries to dilate may improve circulation, thus stress levels are reduced.

Weight Control
Although weight loss from perspiration is quickly regained, sending more blood to the capillaries and converting fats results in as much as 600 calories during one session.  If heavy metals are reduced, this will correct metabolic imbalances that were causing poor digestion and weight gain.  Also, toxins stored in fat are decreased making it easier for weight loss.  

Some proponents claim that a 15 minute sauna session is as effective for weight loss as rowing or jogging for 30 minutes.

The improved blood flow to organs and endocrine glands speeds up their metabolic process, increasing caloric burn.

Because fat becomes water soluble at 110 degrees F, subcutaneous fat can be released along with the sweat and toxins.

Cardiovascular Conditioning
The body responds to the deep heating effect via a hypothalamic-induced increase in both heart volume and rate.

This beneficial heart stress leads to a sought after cardiovascular training and conditioning effect, including lowering blood pressure.

The human body will naturally try and cool itself as temperature increases.  It does this by diverting blood from internal organs to the extremities and skin by vasodilatation.  This increases heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate.

Claims are made that it can take the place of exercise for patients undergoing cardiac rehab, with arthritis, allergies, skin conditions, and other painful conditions.

Claims to sweat the equivalent of running 2-6 miles.

Cellulite
Cellulite is a gel-like substance made up of fat, water and wastes, which are trapped in pockets below the skin.  Profuse sweating is purported to clear this form of unwanted debris.

Claims to be effective in cellulite removal when used in conjunction with a program that includes diet and massage.

Pain Relief and Control
Claims to eliminate or reduce the pain of arthritis, muscle spasms, shoulder pain, neck and back pain, sprains of any area, and reduce scar tissue and adhesions.  Will rapidly increase the healing process in any non-acute injury.

Skin Cleansing and Rejuvenation
Claims to open clogged pores allowing for removal of dirt, oil, and makeup.  In addition, there are improvements in skin problems such as acne, rashes, burns, eczema and psoriasis.  Scars, even keloids, may be gradually softened.

Increased secretions of:
            ACTH             LH/FSH
            Prolactin         b GH
            Renin-Angiotensin, Aldosterone, Endorphins

Musculoskeletal

       Claim to have seen improvements in:

            Arthritis (gouty, rheumatoid and DJD)
            Shoulder pain                Bursitis                             Post-exercise muscle pain
            Muscle tension               Healing of sprains and strains more quickly
            Spinal cord shock        Adhesions     Low back pain         Muscle spasms

Cancer Therapy
Some supporters of sauna therapy state that “hyperthermia is a well-researched therapy for cancer.”  They state that the high temperatures can “select” for abnormal cells and that tumors are unable to handle the high heat

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