One piece of health advice that has existed since ancient times is the need to maintain exercise for good health. While plenty of scientific evidence backs this up, one undeniable fact is that ageing can limit our capacity to do this. As we age, the physical demands of tasks can become more challenging or risky – The great news now, though, is that there are more ways to achieve the overall wellness benefits that exercise provides. The frequent use of sauna for heart health, for one, has long since existed since Finnish variations, and their place in culture in BC times.
Infrared saunas, in this case, present as a low-risk, gentle intervention for an ageing population. Despite being low-impact, they can mimic moderate exercise sessions and deliver similar benefits. Discover how this alternative treatment can help maintain your overall health as you age with our team at SunStream NZ.
Infrared Saunas as a Passive Exercise: How They Work on the Body
Infrared saunas use light wavelengths that can penetrate up to 1.5 inches beneath the skin to deliver heat directly to muscles, joints, and tissues. This increases your core body temperature while keeping the air temperature lower, reducing the risk of heat exhaustion.
Interestingly, many of the physiological effects of sauna use are similar to those experienced in moderate to vigorous exercise. Studies show that heart rates can increase to 100 beats per minute in moderate sauna temperatures and up to 150 beats per minute in hotter temperatures.
This passive yet effective form of “passive exercise” can be especially helpful for those with mobility issues or health conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or other age-related musculoskeletal concerns.
Sauna for Heart Health: Improving Blood Flow and Vascular Health
Regular exposure to infrared heat can improve endothelial function, or the health of the blood vessel linings, promoting arterial flexibility. This reduces arterial stiffness and helps protect your arteries against plaque formation that can lead to heart disease.
Moreover, the use of a sauna for heart health induces vasodilation as a cooling mechanism. This allows the blood to flow more freely and lowers the force against which the heart must pump blood. Over time, this reduced resistance helps lower blood pressure and puts less stress on the heart. Together, these effects lessen your risk of developing high blood pressure-related illnesses such as heart failure and kidney disease.
Muscle Health and Joint Flexibility: Supporting Mobility and Pain Relief
Muscular atrophy and joint stiffness are two of the most common culprits behind reduced mobility and increased risk of falls in elderly adults. However, infrared heat can provide relief from these ailments.
While infrared saunas can’t entirely replace the muscle-preserving benefits of strength training, their circulation-improving capabilities can help reduce stiffness, relieve tension, and improve flexibility.
Studies show infrared saunas can inhibit the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing the body’s inflammatory response as well as pain and stiffness in affected areas. Unlike pain medication, this form of natural therapy provides older adults relief without any side effects.
Additionally, the improved circulation provided by infrared saunas enhances nutrient delivery to these muscle tissues. This helps boost muscle performance as well as healing and recovery.
Overall, these mechanisms allow older adults more freedom in their movements, enhancing their daily quality of life. It also allows them to explore other low to moderate activities they can do in conjunction with infrared saunas.
Key Takeaway
Having reduced energy and range of movement is a normal part of ageing, but that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to those conditions, especially in the name of our health. The great thing is that achieving optimal health for our bodies is now made more accessible through low-intensity options, with a specific eye on how we engage in sauna for heart health.
Incorporating infrared sauna therapy as a gentle alternative to exercise can support essential aspects of healthy ageing. Through this, the elderly won’t also have to overexert themselves and face the risk of injury or exacerbating existing conditions.
For those looking to experience these benefits firsthand, SunStream Infrared Sauna offers high-quality infrared sauna systems designed for maximum therapeutic impact. Explore our at-home sauna range today or contact us for more questions or inquiries.