Feb 28, 2018 5 min read

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You may remember the story that appeared in last month’s Total Health about cryotherapy and my three minutes of standing in temperatures dipping down to -224 Fahrenheit. This month, I warmed up with a visit to the new Sanctuary Wellness Spa in McMurray, where I relaxed in a 30-minute infrared sauna of 154 degree heat.

Braden Dernoshek, co-owner of Sanctuary Wellness Spa with his wife, Katie, says that there are five infrared sauna rooms and a room dedicated to the state’s only HaloBed, designed for dry salt therapy.

Infrared sauna, Dernoshek says, differs significantly from a traditional sauna that you might see at gyms or fitness centers in that infrared saunas harness the power of technology and infrared energy to create a deep penetrating heat that warms the body internally, while keeping the ambient temperature more tolerable. Because of this, the health benefits of infrared sauna are magnified and can be noticeable quickly.

My experience began in a small, warm room that houses a two-person sauna (though only one person sits in it at a time). The timer was set for 30 minutes, and I was ready to go. I was told to expose as much skin as I felt comfortable, as the profuse amount of sweating I was expected to incur can release embedded impurities and dead skin cells.

I was advised to take off all jewelry and any metals, and was given a remote control to regulate the therapeutic lights that were on the ceiling of the sauna, located just above my head. The lights changed colors, and each color offered different therapeutic benefits. Violet, for instance, is for relaxation and serenity. Red, on the other hand, offers an energizing boost. The other colors – green, blue and orange – each have their own benefits as well. I had the option of choosing to have one color on the entire session or change colors as often as I wanted. I opted for the “auto” option on the remote, which automatically changes colors every 25 seconds.

“Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna will help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated and renewed,” Dernoshek explains. “Many of our customers comment on how much they look forward to their sauna session, as it’s a great time to get away and release and built-up tension and stress. It’s like having a day spa in your home, open all the time for your convenience.”

Although I am not typically one who enjoys heat, the infrared sauna, knowing the vast amount of health benefits I was receiving, was not bad. I started sweating only a few minutes into my session, but it was a relaxing sweat, nothing compared to the sweat you get from exertion at the gym. In fact, Dernoshek tells me that often, people visit the infrared sauna after a trip to the gym to help their muscles recover from their workout.

“Muscles relax best when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion,” he says. “Far infrared heat relieves muscle tension and the deep heat of far infrared saunas help peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Infrared heat also reduces soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle joints and fibers are heated.”

There are several other health benefits to be gained from time in the infrared sauna, including improved appearance of cellulite, decreased joint pain and stiffness, detoxification, immune system boost, increased metabolism, and stress and fatigue reduction.

While I’m sure that not all of that can happen after just one session, it did feel good to just sit for a period of time and sweat. The overhead lights were off, so that the only light in the room was the glare from the therapy lights in the sauna. That, in itself, was relaxing.

“To achieve maximum therapeutic benefit, it is recommended that someone use an infrared sauna for 30 minutes, three times weekly,” Dernoshek notes. “Our 40-minute sessions allow someone ample time to prepare for the sauna while allowing for the full 30-minute therapy. Of course, anyone can go as often as they would like, but three times weekly should be the minimum. As with any other wellness related activity, continual dedication to the activity or therapy is required for best results.”

Although an experience like this would be ideal for anyone just wanting to take a break from life and relax for a bit of time, there are populations who may want to avoid the sauna altogether, or at least speak to their physician beforehand. These include pregnant women, those suffering from hemophilia or heat sensitivity or those with extreme cardiovascular conditions.

“This type of therapy is useful for most everyone,” Dernoshek says. “Men and women, athletic and average, young and old. Our facility is designed to be welcoming to everyone. The benefits of infrared sauna have been noted over many years, so we’ve created a space where someone can experience natural alternative therapies in a spa-like environment. Our mission is to provide clients with innovative, scientifically supported therapies to restore health and maintain wellness.”

For more information about Sanctuary Wellness Spa or to make an appointment, call 724-260-0291 or visit www.SanctuaryWellnessSpa.com.