Infrared Therapy + More Offer Health Benefits
When it comes to health and healing, we’re constantly on the hunt for what works for us. Of course it’s subjective, and includes a multitude of factors that play a part. One universal pull, though, is optimizing and improving quality of life, something our experts say infrared light therapy can help with—not to be confused with a typical sauna experience.
“The goal is to help people live a better life, to be able to do what they want to do, whatever that means” Marianne Alexander, owner of beem® Light Sauna in Appleton. “For a lot of people, that means lowering their stress, getting out of pain, reducing inflammation.”
“Infrared sauna is considered a dry heat sauna,” Jamie VandenHouten, Physical Therapist Assistant and COO of Be Well Infrared Sauna, LLC in De Pere, says. “Infrared saunas produce penetrating heat to help your body heal from the inside.
“Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air, infrared saunas heat your body directly—so you can sweat intensely at lower, more comfortable temperatures (typically 110–140°F vs. 160–200°F in traditional saunas).”
“A traditional sauna is going to be heated with a heater or a wood stove,” Alexander agrees. “Sometimes you have the steam feature added, running at 180 plus degrees. Most people can be in there for 10, maybe 15 minutes… there are great body benefits from traditional saunas but the way that it’s heated, it has to heat all the air in the sauna.
“An infrared sauna is actually heated with infrared light. It actually heats your core first. 140 it is an optimal temp, so much lower feeling, you’re still going to get warm, you’re still going to feel hot, you’re still going to have a detoxifying sweat, but you’re not going to feel like you’re heavy, like you’re suffocating, like you can’t wait to get out.”
Infrared Light Therapy + Benefits
Infrared light therapy uses infrared light, which is invisible to the naked eye, to penetrate deeper into the body’s tissues compared to red light. This deeper penetration allows the light to reach muscles, joints, and even bones, making it particularly effective for treating deeper-seated pain and inflammation.
“It’s about getting into the layers of your body, warming you from the inside out,” Deb Emmert, owner/manager of Revive Thermal Recovery in Appleton, explains. “Not only is it going to help with your immune system and physical health, it also helps with relaxation. We get a lot of people who come in to de-stress.
“Everybody is so busy and so stressed nowadays. People are more interested in trying something different. They don’t want to do all of the medications, surgery. This can be an alternative to that.”
Infrared light therapy typically operates in the wavelength range of 700 to 1200 nanometers, allowing it to bypass the surface layers of the skin and deliver therapeutic benefits to the underlying tissues. The deeper penetration of infrared light therapy facilitates enhanced blood circulation, improved oxygen delivery, and accelerated removal of metabolic waste products from the cells. It then helps increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure. This process not only promotes healing and reduces inflammation but also alleviates pain by improving the overall health and function of the affected tissues.
Infrared light therapy can also enhance mitochondrial function, boosting cellular energy production and promoting overall cellular health. This makes ILT a versatile treatment option for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, sports injuries, and inflammatory diseases.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), lack of sunlight, results in seasonal depression. Infrared Light Therapy helps by resetting the internal biological clock (Circadian rhythms), helping individuals sleep better and regulate their mood.
“The goal is to help people live a better life, to be able to do what they want to do, whatever that means” Alexander says. “For a lot of people, that means lowering their stress, getting out of pain, reducing inflammation.”
Infrared Light Therapy has been shown to help with the following ailments:
Deep Tissue Healing: Infrared light therapy penetrates deeper into the body, effectively reaching muscles, joints, and even bones. This deep tissue penetration promotes healing and reduces pain in these areas, making it particularly beneficial for chronic pain conditions and sports injuries.
Improved Circulation: ILT enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues by stimulating the production of nitric oxide, which aids in vasodilation. This improved circulation helps in the removal of metabolic waste products and brings more nutrients to the affected areas, facilitating faster recovery and overall tissue health.
Pain Relief: Infrared light therapy is effective in reducing pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. By improving blood flow and reducing inflammation, ILT helps alleviate chronic pain and improves joint function.
Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: ILT promotes faster healing of wounds and accelerates tissue regeneration. It enhances blood flow and stimulates cellular repair processes, making it an effective treatment for surgical wounds, injuries, and chronic skin conditions.
Fertility: Research suggests that ILT can improve fertility by enhancing sperm motility and follicular health. Studies have shown that infrared light can positively impact reproductive health, potentially increasing pregnancy rates in couples undergoing fertility treatments.
Longevity: The deep tissue penetration of infrared light therapy supports overall cellular health by boosting mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. This can contribute to anti-aging effects, promoting longevity and improved quality of life.
Detoxification: Infrared light therapy promotes detoxification by increasing blood flow and inducing sweating, which helps the body eliminate toxins. This is especially beneficial for individuals detoxing from mold exposure and dealing with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
“Typically, sessions are 30 minutes (can be more, can be less),” VandenHouten says. “Max temperature of our sauna is 140 degrees but some clients do request lower temps. Some clients like to start at 15 minutes and gradually work their way up to 30 minutes.
“We’ve had people who were detoxing from mold have very positive results with regular sauna use. Infrared sauna use can pair well with massage, craniosacral therapy, stretching, or lymphatic work—enhancing relaxation and tissue healing.”
Chromotherapy + Benefits 
Chromotherapy, or color therapy, is exactly that: the use of colors to help heal. Colors are wavelengths of energy that, to us, appear as color because of the potential and capabilities of the object to either absorb or reflect the energy. Each color has a specific vibration frequency and relates to different physical symptoms (see chart!). It is said to work by interacting with the body’s energy systems to reduce tension, promote healing, and have a soothing effect.
“The vibrations of colored light go through our eyes and affect our nervous system,” Alexander explains. “People do say they feel a little different depending on what color they use. We have a key that everybody can kind of look at to choose what color they want to use.”
“Chromotherapy is not needed for the sessions but it is an excellent enhancement to the sessions,” VandenHouten adds. “According to chromotherapy principles, each color emits a specific vibrational frequency and corresponds to different physical, emotional, or energetic imbalances. By applying these colors through light, chromotherapy is believed to interact with the body’s energy systems—such as the chakras—to reduce stress, support healing, and promote a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.”
LED light therapy can be used for temporary pain management such as joint and back pain, sore or torn muscles, sprains, arthritis, post-surgical scars, burns, wounds and more. When used with infrared technology, light therapy (phototherapy) is one of the most effective and noninvasive ways to improve overall wellness.
Chromotherapy can contribute to a holistic approach to skincare by promoting overall skin health. By harnessing the power of specific wavelengths of light, chromotherapy treatments may help improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular regeneration, resulting in a clearer, more radiant complexion.
Additionally, the relaxation and stress-reducing effects of chromotherapy can indirectly benefit the skin by minimizing the impact of stress-related skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, which can flare up during times of heightened emotional tension.
By integrating chromotherapy into skincare routines, individuals may unlock a natural and gentle approach to achieving healthier, more youthful-looking skin, complementing other skincare practices and treatments for a comprehensive cosmetic regimen.
“I would just suggest anyone who wants to live a better, more holistic life, and people who are interested in learning to try it,” Alexander urges. “It is a tool that can really help you learn about how much power you have over how you feel and the kind of life you live.”
*It is always suggested to check with your doctor before starting a new program if you’re on medication, have an implanted medical device or have a health condition.
