Heart Health

Using a Kiva Wellness sauna on a regular basis as part of a healthy lifestyle can offer significant benefits for heart health. The heat generated in an infrared sauna enhances blood circulation, similar to the effects of moderate exercise, thereby improving cardiovascular functioning. This increased blood flow helps reduce blood pressure, lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases,  arthritis, and enhances heart rate variability, which is an important measure of heart health and stress response. These therapeutic effects collectively contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system and overall heart wellness.

Exercise Performance

Boost your endurance performance with regular infrared sauna usage. Infrared sauna sessions can be a valuable tool for boosting exercise performance. The heat exposure aids in improving circulation and increasing blood flow to muscles, which can enhance endurance and reduce muscle fatigue. Regular sauna use can also lead to adaptations like increased plasma volume and improved thermoregulatory mechanisms, which can significantly enhance overall athletic performance. Frequent sauna sessions may also substantially augment the benefits of physical activity and assist those who are unable to meet physical activity guidelines or are unable to exercise at all because of physical activity limitations.

Muscle Recovery

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a hobby gymnast, recovery is key for a better performance. Infrared saunas play a pivotal role in enhancing muscle recovery, particularly after intense physical activity. The penetrating infrared heat helps to relax muscles, alleviate stiffness and reduce soreness, DOMS, and swelling after strength and endurance training by increasing blood circulation, which facilitates the transport of essential nutrients and oxygen to tired muscles. This improved blood flow also aids in the efficient removal of metabolic waste products like lactic acid, accelerating the recovery process and reducing the downtime between workouts.

Pain & Mobility

Let the warmth of your sauna ease your pain. They offer a therapeutic approach to managing pain and improving mobility. The deep heat effectively reduces muscle tension and joint stiffness, providing relief from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. Enhanced circulation from the heat therapy also aids in reducing inflammation and promoting healing, which can improve joint mobility and flexibility. Regular use of an infrared sauna can thus be a beneficial adjunct in pain management and in maintaining and improving range of motion and overall physical function.

Immunity

Regular sauna sessions can have a positive impact on the immune system. The heat generated during a session elevates the body's core temperature, mimicking a fever-like state, which is a natural immune response to infection. This induced hyperthermic condition can stimulate and strengthen the immune system, increasing the production of white blood cells and antibodies. Additionally, the detoxification process, facilitated by intense sweating, helps to rid the body of toxins and pathogens, further bolstering the body’s immune defences and resilience against illness.

Longevity

Making sauna bathing part of your regular routine can assist longevity by offsetting effects of inflammation and promoting overall health and wellness. The deep heating effect of the sauna has been linked to enhanced cellular repair and reduced oxidative stress, two factors that are crucial in slowing down the ageing process. Regular sauna use can also stimulate heat shock proteins, which are known to play a role in longevity by repairing damaged proteins and protecting cells from stress. By improving cardiovascular health, aiding in detoxification, and reducing chronic inflammation, infrared saunas can support a healthier, longer life, aligning with practices that promote longevity.

Heat Acclimation

Regular use of infrared saunas can significantly aid in heat acclimation, a beneficial adaptation for both athletes and individuals in hot climates. The consistent exposure to the controlled, elevated temperatures of the sauna trains the body to cope better with heat stress. This acclimation process leads to physiological adaptations such as improved sweating efficiency, more stable core temperature control, and increased blood plasma volume. These changes enhance the body's ability to regulate temperature in hot conditions, improving tolerance to heat and potentially enhancing performance in warm environments.

Relaxation

Infrared saunas deliver deep, penetrating heat through infrared light, effectively reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving and mood-enhancing chemicals. The gentle warmth increases blood circulation, helping to oxygenate tissues and clear metabolic waste, which aids in faster muscle recovery and stress relief. Scientifically, this process of thermotherapy not only relaxes the body but also helps to lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, fostering a state of mental relaxation and well-being.

Detoxification

Your Kiva saunas facilitate detoxification at a cellular level by inducing a deep sweat where toxins can be expelled directly through the pores. The infrared wavelengths penetrate the skin, stimulating the sweat glands and increasing circulation, thereby aiding the body in the natural process of removing impurities and flushing out harmful toxins. This enhanced detoxification process, triggered by the increased metabolic rate and core temperature, helps in efficiently eliminating heavy metals and chemical toxins, leading to improved overall health and vitality.

Skin Health

Regular sessions in your sauna contribute positively to skin health by promoting circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, fostering a healthy, natural glow. The deep sweating achieved in an infrared sauna helps to clear pores, reduce blemishes, and remove dead skin cells, resulting in clearer, softer, and healthier-looking skin. Additionally, the increased blood flow and elimination of toxins can aid in reducing the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and fine lines, by encouraging the production of collagen and elastin, vital proteins for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.

Stress and Fatigue

Exposure to the gentle, enveloping heat of an infrared sauna has been shown to significantly alleviate stress and fatigue. The soothing warmth activates the body's parasympathetic nervous system, inducing a state of deep relaxation and stress reduction. Furthermore, as the body's core temperature rises, endorphin levels increase, providing a natural, therapeutic effect that combats fatigue, enhances mood, and promotes a sense of calm and well-being..

Improved Sleep

Utilising an infrared sauna can have a beneficial impact on sleep quality, thanks to its ability to relax the body and mind. The soothing warmth helps to lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's 'rest and digest' response, thereby fostering a state conducive to sleep. Additionally, the post-sauna cooling period often triggers a natural increase in melatonin, the sleep hormone, aiding in deeper and more restful sleep cycles.

Exercise Recovery

Ice baths are highly effective for exercise recovery, providing a swift and significant impact on tired and sore muscles. The cold immersion after your physical activity constricts blood vessels and reduces metabolic activity, which minimises tissue breakdown and reduces muscle soreness. This process helps to rapidly flush out lactic acid and metabolic waste from the muscles, leading to quicker recovery times. Additionally, the subsequent return of warmer blood helps to rejuvenate the muscles by delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients, effectively preparing the body for its next physical challenge.

Mental Health

Immersing in your ice bath can have a positive influence on mental health, offering more than just physical rejuvenation. The initial shock of cold water triggers the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to an increase in endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators. This hormonal surge can result in a feeling of euphoria, often referred to as the 'ice bath high', which can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Regular ice bath sessions also build mental resilience and fortitude, as they train the mind to stay calm and focused in stressful situations, contributing to overall mental well-being and stress management.

Inflammation

Ice baths are a powerful tool in the management and reduction of inflammation. The cold temperature exposure helps to constrict blood vessels and decrease metabolic activity, significantly reducing inflammatory response and swelling in the body. This process, known as vasoconstriction, not only minimises tissue damage but also slows down the release of cytokines, which are inflammatory markers. By reducing inflammation, ice baths can alleviate pain, expedite healing of injuries, and potentially prevent chronic inflammation-related diseases, making them a valuable practice for those seeking to control and mitigate inflammation in the body.

Skin Enhancement

Red light therapy may help improve skin complexion and build collagen to diminish wrinkles. It may help in reducing signs of ageing by enhancing the skin's elasticity and increasing blood circulation to the skin, promoting reparative processes.

Wound Healing

Our Etherea range may accelerate the healing process of wounds by promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation. It can be beneficial in treating non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, by enhancing tissue regeneration.

Pain Reduction

Red light therapy may be effective in reducing chronic inflammation, which can lead to significant pain reduction for conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and tendonitis. It is believed to do this by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing circulation.

Muscle Recovery

Athletes and physically active individuals may benefit from red light therapy for muscle recovery. Studies have shown that it can help reduce muscle fatigue and soreness after exercise, possibly by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing mitochondrial activity in muscle cells.

Improvement in Joint Health

By reducing inflammation and stimulating collagen production, red light therapy can improve joint health and reduce symptoms of joint-related conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Improved Mood & Energy Levels

Red light therapy may have positive effects on mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially when used in conjunction with other treatments. The mechanism may involve modulation of neurotransmitter levels or reduction of inflammation.

Improved Sleep

Exposure to red light may help in regulating circadian rhythms and improving the quality of sleep, possibly by increasing the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.