What is Infrared Sauna?

An infrared sauna uses infrared light wavelengths (near, mid, and far) from ceramic or carbon heaters to directly penetrate the skin and heat the body, rather than heating the surrounding air like traditional saunas. Operating at lower temperatures (130-170°F vs. 180-200°F), it promotes deep tissue sweating and detoxification while being more comfortable for longer sessions. This technology delivers therapeutic benefits like improved circulation, muscle recovery, pain relief, and stress reduction through gentle, radiant heat that mimics natural sunlight's infrared spectrum.

Infared Saunas at Awaken for Wellness

Since 2017, we have partnered with ClearLight Infrared Saunas. Clearlight Infrared Saunas was founded in 1997 in Berkeley, California, by Dr. Raleigh Duncan, a Doctor of Chiropractic with extensive experience in infrared therapy, and his business partner Andy Kaps, under the parent company Sauna Works®. As one of the earliest pioneers in infrared sauna technology, Dr. Duncan drew from his medical background to emphasize therapeutic benefits, focusing on helping people manage conditions like chronic pain and fibromyalgia rather than purely commercial gain. Over the years, Clearlight has innovated with proprietary True Wave™ heaters for far and full-spectrum infrared, expanding to offer low-EMF designs and premium models.

Why we use ClearLight Infrared Saunas:

Full-Spectrum Infrared Technology: Exclusive True Wave™ heaters deliver near, mid, and far infrared wavelengths simultaneously (over 1,000 watts in Sanctuary models), providing deeper penetration up to 3 inches for superior detoxification, pain relief, and skin rejuvenation—clinically shown to remove 20% more toxins than traditional saunas.
Ultra-Low EMF Safety: Patented low-EMF/ELF design emits less than 1 milligauss (vs. 100+ mG in competitors), minimizing electromagnetic exposure while maximizing therapeutic heat—first in the industry to prioritize this.
Premium, Eco-Certified Construction: Built with hypoallergenic Canadian cedar or basswood using tongue-and-groove assembly for durability and non-toxic VOC-free interiors.
Proven Health & Wellness Benefits: Boosts metabolism, burns 400-600 calories per session, reduces inflammation (70% pain relief in trials), enhances circulation, and improves mood/sleep—endorsed by experts like Dr. David Perlmutter and Hippocrates Health Institute for chronic conditions and recovery.
Luxury Amenities for Enhanced Experience: Integrated chromotherapy lighting, Bluetooth audio, reading lamps.

A History of Healing

Early 20th Century Discovery: Dr. Henry W. Sweatman patented the first infrared lamp in 1924 for medical use; Japanese physicians used infrared for pain relief post-WWII
1960s Medical Applications: NASA researched infrared technology for astronaut rehabilitation; Japanese hospitals adopted infrared saunas for cardiovascular health
1980s Commercialization: Finnish sauna manufacturers began integrating infrared heaters; first home infrared saunas appeared in Japan and Europe
1990s US Market Boom: Clearlight Saunas founded (1995) by Raleigh Duncan, pioneering low-EMF full-spectrum technology
2000s Scientific Validation: Studies confirmed benefits for pain, circulation, and detoxification; medical spas widely adopted infrared therapy
2010s Wellness Integration: Home sauna market exploded; brands like Clearlight developed True Wave™ heaters and medical-grade safety standards
Today: Over 2 million infrared saunas sold annually worldwide; FDA-cleared for pain relief; integrated into integrative medicine practices

How Infrared Sauna works

Infrared saunas use full-spectrum infrared light (near, mid, far wavelengths) from specialized heaters to deliver therapeutic heat directly to the body:

Direct Tissue Penetration: Unlike traditional saunas that heat air (180-200°F), infrared rays penetrate 1.5-3 inches into skin and muscle tissue at lower temperatures (130-170°F), raising core body temperature efficiently
Sweat & Detoxification: Induces profuse sweating at cellular level, eliminating heavy metals (lead, mercury), BPA, and phthalates through eccrine glands—studies show 20% more toxin removal vs. traditional saunas
Circulatory Response: Heat dilates blood vessels, increasing circulation by 200-300%; delivers oxygen/nutrients to tissues while flushing metabolic waste and lactic acid
Nervous System Effects: Triggers parasympathetic activation, reducing cortisol by up to 50% while boosting endorphins and serotonin for stress relief and mood elevation
Muscle & Joint Benefits: Deep heat increases tissue elasticity, reduces inflammation, and relieves chronic pain—clinical trials show 70% pain reduction in arthritis patients
Full-Spectrum Synergy:
- Near (700-1400nm): Skin rejuvenation, collagen production
- Mid (1400-3000nm): Muscle recovery, circulation
- Far (3000-10000nm): Detoxification, immune support

Clearlight Technology: True Wave™ heaters emit balanced infrared spectrum with low-EMF (<1mG), maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing electromagnetic exposure.

Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes, producing 3x more sweat than traditional saunas for enhanced cardiovascular conditioning and recovery.

Conditions Infrared Sauna addresses

Infrared sauna may help alleviate symptoms of various conditions

Respiratory Conditions

Chronic bronchitis
Asthma (improved lung capacity)
Seasonal allergies

Musculoskeletal

Sports injuries and muscle strains
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Joint stiffness and tendonitis

Autoimmune

Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Chronic Pain

Arthritis (70% pain reduction)
Fibromyalgia (77% symptom improvement)
Neuropathy and nerve pain
Lower back pain and sciatica

Detoxification

Heavy metal toxicity (lead, mercury)
Chemical exposure (BPA, pesticides)
Mold illness recovery

Skin health

Psoriasis and eczema
Acne and rosacea
Premature aging and wrinkles

Mental Health

Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

General Wellness

Stress relief
Better sleep
Immune support
Mental clarity
Relaxation

Metabolic support

Insulin resistance and prediabetes
Weight loss support (400-600 cal burn/session)
Lymphedema and swelling

Scientific Research

Evidence-based benefits of Infrared Sauna

Clinical Studies

Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Infrared sauna:

Chronic Pain Relief: A 2008 pilot study (n=34) on rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients reported statistically significant short-term reductions in pain and stiffness (p<0.05) after eight infrared sauna sessions over four weeks, with trends toward long-term benefits and no disease exacerbation. see study here
Muscle Recovery and Soreness: A 2023 randomized trial (n=16 male basketball players) showed a single 30-minute post-exercise infrared sauna session improved neuromuscular performance (e.g., countermovement jump height) and reduced muscle soreness 14 hours after resistance training, compared to passive recovery. see study here
Oxidative Stress Reduction: A 2004 randomized controlled trial (n=28) in patients with coronary risk factors showed two weeks of daily 15-minute far-infrared sauna therapy reduced urinary 8-epi-PGF2α (oxidative stress marker) by 15-20%, supporting adjuvant prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. see study here
Antioxidant System Enhancement: A 2013 clinical study (n=volunteers) on general infrared sauna courses showed activation of blood antioxidant defenses, with increased adaptive responses post-treatment, indicating protective effects against oxidative stress. see study here

Medical Recognition

Infrared Sauna is recognized and used in medical facilities worldwide:

FDA Clearance: FDA-cleared as Class II medical devices for temporary relief of minor muscle/joint pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, stiffness, and increased local circulation.
Mayo Clinic: Acknowledges infrared saunas as complementary therapy for chronic pain, cardiovascular health, and detoxification in integrative medicine programs
American Heart Association: Published studies showing infrared sauna benefits for congestive heart failure patients (improved walking distance, cardiac function)
Harvard Medical School: Dr. Christopher Mussap (Harvard-affiliated) endorses infrared saunas for detoxification, cardiovascular conditioning, and chronic pain
Cleveland Clinic: Integrates infrared sauna therapy in wellness centers for pain management, recovery, and cardiovascular health
Veterans Affairs (VA): Includes infrared sauna in whole health programs for PTSD, chronic pain, and stress management

Safety & Considerations

Important information about Infrared Sauna

Safe for Most People

Lower Temperatures: 130-170°F vs. 180-200°F traditional saunas—more comfortable, less dehydration risk
Low-EMF Design: Clearlight® models emit <1 milligauss (safer than household appliances)
Hydration Key: Drink 16-32 oz water before/after; electrolytes recommended
Gradual Acclimation: Start with 10-15 minutes, 3x/week; build to 30-45 minutes

Contraindications

Pregnancy: Risk of birth defects (especially first trimester); wait until after delivery
Pacemakers/Defibrillators: Electromagnetic interference risk; consult cardiologist
Recent Heart Attack: Wait 6-12 months; get cardiologist clearance
Uncontrolled Hypertension: >180/110 mmHg; monitor BP first
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Risk of clot dislodgement
Severe Aortic Stenosis: Heart strain risk
Epilepsy: Heat may trigger seizures

Learn About Infrared Sauna

Discover the science, history, and healing benefits of Infrared Sauna