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Lady in infrared sauna

INFRARED SAUNA and
RED LIGHT THERAPY

Infrared Sauna is a more effective and more comfortable way to sweat than the traditional steam and hot rock saunas. The infrared heat penetrates deeper into your body, leading to a more intense sweat at lower temperatures with better detoxification. 

 

Red and near-infrared light (NIR) are part of the electromagnetic spectrum of light emitted by the sun, and also fire.  These wavelengths of light are bioactive in humans, meaning they positively affect the function of our cells making them more efficient.

A regular sweat is one of the best things you can do to detoxify and stay healthy. Raising your core temperature by a degree or two creates mild positive stress that makes your systems stronger and more adaptive.

Infrared sauna can help you with: 

Sauna’s are great for sweating out colds or viruses, relieving aches and pains, supporting muscle recovery after exercise or injury, detoxing from heavy metals and other environmental contaminants, supporting skin health and boosting your immune system.

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  • Pain relief and healing – injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia, delayed onset muscle soreness and more

  • Weight Loss

  • Detoxification

  • Promoting healthy blood pressure

  • Boosting immune response

  • Improved skin health

  • Relaxation

  • Boosting mood

 

Heating the tissues with infrared sauna causes vasodilation, which enhances blood flow to areas of the body that are lacking oxygen and/or nutrients. This helps bring more oxygen to tired, strained, and painful joints and muscles speeding the healing of sprains and strains, thus relieving pain. Evidence has shown that using the sauna 24-48 hours after an injury can reduce the time it takes for your body to heal sprains and strains. In addition, stretching after the sauna, while your muscles are warm and relaxed improves flexibility more than cold stretching.

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Heat absorbed by the body in an infrared sauna causes intense sweating which is the body's natural way of getting rid of toxins that build up in everyday life. The heat wavelengths penetrate the skin and break down fat cells, which release toxins enabling them to be eliminated in sweat.  This heat-induced sweating also mimics a fever, which is our body's way of boosting immune function and has been known to support recovery in the early stages of a cold or flu. When you sweat, fat deposits are also broken up and burned which supports weight loss by speeding up the metabolic processes of the body.  

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Sauna also helps your skin by clearing out pores during sweating and increasing blood circulation that carries nutrients to the skin. This promotes a healthy skin tone and texture.

My experience with the infrared sauna at the Waitakere Health Hub was fantastic. It was clean, well set up, and they thought of everything. From towels, to electrolytes for the water, a speaker for Bluetooth, soap and moisturiser. I used it for muscle pain and it helped relieve some pain and increase mobility. I will be returning!

Melissa

The Waitakere Health Hub sauna being produced right now features 360-degree surround heat for a faster heavier sweat. It is low EMF and hypoallergenic, made with 100% basswood, 100% food safe glue, carbon panel heaters, and water based lacquer with no harmful VOCs.

Bluetooth speakers are installed so you can connect your device to listen to your favourite podcast or soothing music while you relax.

The infra red sauna was amazing, I got a great detoxifying sweat on and felt a million dollars afterwards. It was real nice having the shower and towels right there to complete the session. I'd highly recommend it for the detoxifying effect and for the feel good endorphins you get afterwards.

Kristian F

Red light therapy shoulder.png

Red and near-infrared light (NIR) are part of the electromagnetic spectrum of light emitted by the sun, and also fire.  These wavelengths of light are bioactive in humans, they literally affect the function of our cells.

Of course, we all know the importance of Vitamin D from sunlight and UV light.  But now we are aware that there is another type of light that may be just as vital to our health.  Photobiomodulation (also called red light therapy) is the use of red and near-infrared (NIR) light treatment to stimulate, heal, regenerate and protect tissue that has either been injured or is degenerating.  We live in a world of mal-illumination where many people spend too much time indoors not getting enough of any of the bioactive light spectrum.

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Our red light therapy unit has both red and NIR lights as each wavelength, red light at ~660 nm and NIR at ~850 nm, enhance cellular function in a different way. Red light is absorbed by the skin and supports collagen production and improves skin health. NIR is invisible to the naked eye (which is why these lights look like they are not on) and penetrates deeper into the tissue, supporting muscle relaxation, circulation, and recovery and reducing pain. Red and NIR wavelengths are able to penetrate several cm into cells, tissues, blood, nerves, the brain, and bones.  The two central mechanisms of how this benefits us on a cellular level and our overall health are: 

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1.  Stimulating ATP production in the mitochondria through interacting with a photoreceptor called cytochrome c oxidase.

2.  Creating a temporary, low-dose metabolic stress that ultimately builds up the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and cell defense systems of the cell.  (This is called hormesis, which is also a primary mechanism of why exercise works).

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Most research showing benefits have specifically been within the ranges of 630-680nm and 800-880nm, and there are now over 3,000 peer-reviewed scientific studies showing the incredible health and anti-aging benefits of this therapy.

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Red light therapy and near-infrared light therapy can help you with

  • Fight skin aging, wrinkles, and cellulite and look 10 years younger

  • Lose fat (nearly twice as fast as with diet and exercise alone)

  • Rid your body of chronic inflammation

  • Fight the oxidative damage that drives aging

  • Increase strength, endurance, and muscle mass

  • Decrease pain

  • Combat hair loss

  • Build resilience to stress at the cellular level

  • Speed up wound/injury healing

  • Combat some autoimmune conditions and improve hormonal health

  • Optimize your brain function and mood

  • Overcome fatigue and improve energy levels

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In essence, NIR and red light therapy help mitrochondria produce more energy, decrease inflammation, and help build the cell defense systems to increase resilience. 

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It’s common to feel warm and relaxed with some reduced stiffness of muscles and pain relief after a few red light therapy sessions. With consistent use over time you can experience more results including improved muscle recovery, reduced inflammation and pain, and improved skin health.

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Mitrochondrial energy production is essentially in every type of cell in the body, when this process is more efficient the cellular processes and celluar health benefits the entire body.

Thank you to the amazing staff at Waitakere Health Hub who so kindly and professionally explained the process and health benefits of using the red light therapy and infra sauna.

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I had never used either of these treatments before, and someone who suffers from arthritis I was very keen to try this new treatment and see if it provided any benefits for me.

 

Although I have only had one session in the red light therapy and infra-red sauna, I immediately felt the benefits, and I continued to feel the benefits days after the treatment. I am very keen to return and try and make using these sessions on a regular basis.

 

The environment and facilities at Waitakere Health Hub are very welcoming and relaxing, and the staff are absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend checking them out for yourself.

Gary

Check out this Inside Matters blog 'How does Infrared Sauna and RLT actually work?'

Treatments we offer

We provide fresh filtered drinking water in the red light therapy/sauna room and towels for your sauna use. We also have complimentary electrolytes and calming essential oils to add to your experience.

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Our sauna is cleaned after each use and infrared heat kills 99% of bacteria, which also helps leave a naturally clean environment.

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We have a ‘cozy’ two-person sauna so you can bring a friend, spouse, or significant other  - see our special pricing for “adding a friend.”

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Eye protection isn’t necessary when using the red light therapy unit as it's beneficial to get some light into the eyes, however, we don’t recommend looking directly at the LEDs. You are welcome to close your eyes during the treatment session or we have googles available on request.

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Combination packages for both RLT and infrared sauna treatments are available. It's beneficial to use the RLT for 10 minutes prior to your sauna session. 

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Shorter treatment session packages are available for those with a chronic illness if needed - contact us for more details. 

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  • Can I benefit from osteopathy?
    Osteopathy is a gentle and safe form of therapy suitable for adults, children and infants. We treat a wide range of problems including; back/neck/shoulder pain hip/knee pain muscular aches headaches and migraines joint/arthritic pain sciatica We also provide relief for; occupational and repetitive strains injuries, sports injuries and pregnant and nursing mothers. If you have questions about whether osteopathy can help your specific condition, please call or email.
  • Does osteopathy hurt?
    Most osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause high levels of discomfort. At times, hands-on treatment of painful or tender areas will be necessary, and in these cases, your osteopath will take care to make you as comfortable as possible. Some people experience some soreness for a day or two after treatment as their body reacts and adjusts to the treatment. If this persists or increases, contact your osteopath to discuss it. ​ There are many techniques available to your practitioner and various body types. Part of the beauty of treatment is the synergy of finding what works best for your body.
  • Do I need a referral to see an osteopath?
    Although many clients are referred by their doctor, or health care professional, this is not required. You can make an appointment directly with us. If you are referred and have had some investigative work done, please bring your x-rays, ultrasound or MRI reports with you. ​ We are able to process an ACC claim for you if you have experience an injury. We can asses and start treating you right away. But if you need time off work you need to see your GP or medical doctor for a medical certificate.
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