Skip to main content

Recently undergone a procedure and now wondering if it’s safe to use infrared sauna post surgery? You’ve come to the right place for advice. Here at Rimba Sweat, we’re pleased to help a wide range of our clients experience the benefits of infrared for a wide range of concerns. Whether returning to an established routine of sauna bathing or planning a healthier new lifestyle during your recovery, it’s important to understand the risks and benefits of any health regimen before beginning.

Rimba Sweat is Sydney’s premier infrared sauna studio located on the beautiful Northern Beaches. Our studio is equipped with cutting edge infrared sauna technology, alongside our passionate team with first-hand experience of health benefits of infrared sauna use.

Continue reading to discover how this infrared technology can minimise recovery time post surgery, aid in wound healing, and support your general well-being during rehabilitation after an operation.

Benefits Of Infrared Sauna Post Surgery

5 Benefits of Infrared Sauna Post Surgery

Infrared sauna use is gentle, effective, and requires little effort from the participant, making it the perfect aid to recovery after the trauma of surgery. Regular sauna sessions support overall health in many ways and can create the foundation for a quicker rehabilitation process.

Let’s now take a closer look at some specific ways that infrared sauna can help you get back to full health after surgery.

1. Improved Circulation

Our circulatory system is designed to distribute oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout our bodies, particularly in areas it’s needed most after a traumatic surgical procedure. Circulation is often compromised when bed rest is required. Immobilisation of the circulation can induce symptoms like throbbing, tinging, stinging pain, and cramps in the outer extremities and can put a patient at high risk of developing potentially stroke-causing blood clots.

The cells in our bodies have a predisposed sensitivity to infrared light and will respond to infrared sauna bathing by flowing more freely and at a quicker rate through the circulatory system. Increased circulation is known to help in wound healing, maintaining mental clarity and heart health. Good circulation of white blood cells also plays an important role in fighting off potential infection post-surgery.

2. Stress Reduction and Better Sleep

An infrared sauna session is a truly relaxing experience that allows the mind and body to rest and heal. The intense heat created by infrared rays naturally relieves tension and stiffness in the muscles and joints which can be the result of immobility after surgery. Once tension is relieved, our natural immune functions can instead focus on healing the areas needing attention.

Stress hormones, such as cortisol, are naturally increased after distressing events like surgery. In the short term, high levels of cortisol help in the healing process, but if they’re not regulated in the medium to long term, excess production can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, muscles weakness, anxiety, depression and even osteoporosis. Infrared sauna has been shown to help regulate cortisol, which turns off your body’s natural “fight or flight” hormone, allowing you to relax and sleep better at night.

The light from infrared sauna technology also promotes the release of endorphins, which make you feel good, but also relieve pain and have a mild sedative effect. This mood-boosting hormone not only reduces pain and discomfort post-surgery but is also known to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety while supporting the immune system and cognitive function.

3. Detoxification

Surgery saves lives, preserves the quality of life, and restores natural functions. However, a procedure doesn’t come without side effects. Local and general anaesthetics, post-surgical medication, and ongoing medical care can increase system toxicity. This is on top of the toxins we’re exposed to daily from the products and food we buy, to the air we breathe. The resulting toxins in our system build up over time if we don’t make an effort to get rid of them. Infrared light breaks up toxins in our system and dispels them through sweat. Infrared light penetrates past skin level, heating our body from the inside and inducing an intense detoxifying sweat response that will leave you feeling refreshed and awake.

4. Boosted Immunity

After surgery, your immune system will naturally be compromised to some degree. Unlike traditional steam saunas that heat your body from the outside in, infrared light penetrated into your body, heating it from the core. This sudden rise in core temperature mimics a fever and forces the immune system to take over. Contrary to popular belief, fevers are beneficial as they rid the body of sick and diseases cells that aren’t able to withstand high heat. By artificially creating fever-like symptoms, infrared sauna use engages the body’s natural defence mechanism causing increased production of white blood cells.

5. Wound Healing

Infrared sauna wound healing happens when infrared light penetrates through the skin and into our cells. Once light passes into the mitochondria, energy is produced, and the cells can perform their natural functions at a higher level. Research completed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) found that both red and infrared light positively impact wound healing. In human studies, they found light therapy significant accelerated healing of musculoskeletal injuries, open wounds, and aided pain reduction.

Inflammation is a natural immune response our body deploys to fight infections, injuries, and toxins. Acute inflammation is an immediate reaction to short term trauma, like surgery, and is used to prevent an injury from festering. Acute inflammation is helpful in the short term but can get out of hand if not managed properly. Infrared light acts as a natural anti-inflammatory as it increases circulation, decreases stress, and supports the body’s natural immune response and detoxification processes.

Should Anyone Avoid Infrared Sauna Post Surgery?

There are no known contraindications for infrared sauna post surgery. The benefits of infrared sauna therapy are extensive, and the list above is by no means exhaustive. There is a reason why many thousands of people across the globe regularly use sauna bathing for their health, but it’s worth noting a few possible risks. Of course, if you have specific concerns, it’s always good to consult with your doctor before undertaking sauna therapy, particularly if you’ve just had surgery, or you plan to have surgery in the near future.

Infrared Sauna Precautions

Some common-sense precautions should be taken before entering a sauna. These include:

1. Avoid alcohol as it increases your risk of dehydration, hypotension, and arrhythmia.

2. Drink plenty of water to maintain hydration by replacing fluids naturally lost through sweat.

3. Increase the time spent in the sauna gradually. Beginners should start by spending just 15 minutes in the sauna, increasing gradually to between 25 – 40 minutes.

Unlock the Benefits of Infrared Sauna with Rimba Sweat

So, is it safe to use an infrared sauna after surgery? The answer is a resounding yes! Infrared sauna therapy is gentle, pleasant, and worthwhile. It provides unrivaled health benefits that support the body’s natural healing processes, particularly after a traumatic experience like surgery.

If you suffer from chronic health conditions, it is always best to consult with your physician prior to use. If you have any concerns or are unsure about using an infrared sauna, it is best to consult your GP or physician prior to use.

Located in Manly, Rimba Sweat is unlike any sauna studio in Sydney. The first dedicated infrared sauna studio, we’re industry leaders dedicated to helping our clients enjoy the life-changing benefits of infrared sauna technology.

Book a session online today or call us on (02) 8959 0672 to learn more about our range of sauna rooms and package deals.