NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: Infrared heat is all the rage—and it may really come with health benefits
Infrared light therapy is more than just a trend: It’s showing potential in easing chronic pain, improving mobility, and boosting mental health. Here’s what you need to know before stepping into the heat.
Infrared heat is making waves as a popular heating method for saunas and exercise classes alike, promising benefits that range from easing chronic pain to reducing stress. Unlike traditional heating systems that warm the air, infrared technology uses electromagnetic waves to heat objects directly—such as your body and the floor—creating a more subtle, penetrating warmth.
Brooke Alexandra, a certified Pilates instructor and the owner of Reforming Foundations Pilates and Wellness in Michigan, first tried infrared heating when she began using an infrared sauna to help with her Lyme disease symptoms.
“I began doing gentle Pilates in the sauna and found it helped with my mobility and joints,” she says.
Inspired by these results, she incorporated infrared heating into her Pilates classes and says her students reported improved sleep, energy, mental clarity and focus, and reduced joint pain.
