What Are the Benefits of Using an Infrared Sauna?

Infrared sauna offer many benefits.  Why should you use one?

Here are a few reasons:

• Pain Relief- The heat from an infrared sauna penetrates joints, muscles, and tissue to increase circulation and speed oxygenation of the body.  Sports injuries, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis can all be helped.  There are studies from NASA, The Department of Dermatology and Institute of Medical Research, and many other legitimate well documented sources.  A recent Japanese study that was published in the journal, Internal Medicine showed that chronic pain sufferers experienced significant pain reduction (70%) after just one session.
• Weight loss- A thirty minute session in an infrared sauna burns about 600 calories.  The body works to cool itself by increasing the heart rate, metabolism, and amount of calories burned.
• Relaxation- While typical saunas have extreme temperatures which can be hard to take, an infrared sauna is gentle and soothing.  The sauna is clean and comfortable with music, and air purifier, and colored light therapy.  Each color of lights has a unique wave length that impacts our minds and bodies differently.  
• Reduce blood pressure: In a 2005 clinical study by the University of Missouri Kansas City, infrared heaters were shown to lower blood pressure through a program of 30 minute infrared sauna session 3 times per week. The study concluded that infrared sauna therapy dilated blood vessels and reduced the volume of their inner lining, thus increasing circulation to promote healthy blood pressure.
• Detoxification-  Infrared saunas create a truly deep, productive sweat where toxins reside, at the cellular level. 
• Wound healing-  Scientific research has concluded that near infrared therapy greatly enhances the skin’s healing process by promoting faster cell regeneration and human tissue growth. Human cell growth increases to repair wounds and prevent infection.

These are some of the key benefits of infrared sauna use, however ongoing research may still uncover additional benefits.  Infrared sessions at Massage by Shaunda are $15 for a singles session, buy two and get the third free.  This is nearly half of what many infrared sauna spas charge. 

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Getting a Massage by Shaunda

I'm Not Afraid of Needles...

It's smart to be armed with an arsenal of  weapons for healing, and a skilled acupuncturist can be a great asset to your health.  I have had many acupuncture treatments.  Some of them were traditional- the needles were hand placed then topped with lit mugwort.  Other sessions I experienced blended the ancient with the contemporary.  There were scrubs worn, tools to insert the needles, sterile clinic rooms and mood music straight from a Tokyo lounge.

You may be thinking- "I don't care if they wear a banana suit and juggle monkeys as long as it relieves my pain!"  You are wondering if acupuncture is effective, and you may be wondering if it hurts.  These are common questions that I'd like to answer from the knowledge bank of my personal experience.  

Does it hurt?  I've experienced a brief "zing" once or twice, but that is the extent of the pain that I personally have felt.  Usually I don't feel the needle placement at all.  Is it effective?  Definitely.  Maybe not for every condition every time, but what medical treatment is?  I am positive the success ratio of this kind of treatment is superior to that of typical western medicine. 

I once had a muscle injury in my forearm.  There was a golf ball sized swelling midway between my wrist and elbow.  When I pressed down on my palms it felt like the muscle was being stripped from the bone and left a lingering ache in my elbow.  I was even contemplating canceling sessions with my clients that day.  This is something I almost NEVER do.  Certain devout sects do in fact consider it borderline indicative of the apocalypse.  I knew the minute I saw the injury that it needed acupuncture, and sure enough the treatment stopped the pain and reduced the size of the swelling by 50% that day.  By the end of the week it was almost completely normal.

What are acupuncturists like?  I have yet to meet an acupuncturist that chose this field for the money, fame or glory.  They aren't in league with insurance companies, drug companies, or the smarmy guys who lobby in DC to make sure health care legislation is written "the right way."  Acupuncturists are typically caring individuals who provide a treatment that promotes and accelerates healing without the synthetic drugs, the invasive procedures, and the hefty cost we associate with western medicine.
 I recommend Dr. Curtis Webb.  His website is below.
http://www.goldencabinet.net/goldencabinet.net/Tulsa_Acupuncture_Golden_Cabinet.html

I've been Rolfed!

It's official!  I've been Rolfed!  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Rolfing, it is a type of body work developed by Dr. Ida Rolf that involves aligning our fascia.   It's a relatively rare specialty and I wanted to experience it for myself.  Perhaps learn the skill?  Becoming a certified Rolfer is no small feat.  It involves  several extended stays in Boulder CO, and requires a financial investment of over ten thousand dollars.  My conclusion?  I love Rolfing, it has many benefits and I am glad I did it.  Am I going to become a Rolfer?  I don't think so. There are components of Rolfing I plan to learn and implement into my practice as a massage therapist, however there are many other modalities I want to study further- aromatherapy, reflexology, Maya abdominal massage, Lomi Lomi, and sacral cranial to name a few. For more information on Rolfing check www.rolf.org

How Can Reflexology Help You???

Probably more than you know!  This ancient form of treatment helps bring our bodies into balance.  In the last two weeks I've seen a woman diagnosed with hypothyroidism experience increased metabolism and weight loss which she attributes largely to reflexology.  I've seen another client experience improved fluid balance in her body after just one treatment.  Before we all became so civilized we walked barefoot and our feet came into contact with rocks, sand, and earth - each of which helped us get a "treatment" just from walking around!  Our bodies are designed to maintain and heal themselves.  Reflexology is one such example.

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Giving it Away!

I love my job for so many reasons.  I love seeing people feel healthier, stronger, relaxed, and nurtured!  I love knowing that I am making a difference.  My parents did a lot of things right, and I am especially grateful they taught me about the joy of giving back, about the rewards of volunteering and community service.  Every Friday when I give away a 30 minute massage, it is far more than a marketing tool to me.  It's another way I get to express my personal gratefulness for everything life has given me.  I get to give back a tiny bit, and show love, and put positive energy out in the universe.  Positive  energy that I know will come right back to me.  Happy Friday everyone!