Home // NovoTHOR vs. Infrared Saunas
Clients looking for relief from muscle and joint pain, faster recovery from post-exercise soreness, or better sleep may have had either infrared saunas or NovoTHOR light therapy suggested to them. On the surface, these two alternative approaches may seem to be similar, as both depend on the application of specific wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum to achieve therapeutic effects. However, there is a significant difference between infrared saunas, which are designed to heal the body through the application of radiation outside of the visible spectrum of light, and NovoTHOR, which is a light therapy that uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate natural cellular processes. To understand these differences, it helps to know how each works on the body.
Traditional saunas, where a small room is heated to temperatures between 150 and 195 degrees to increase the body temperature and produce sweat, have been known in many different cultures for hundreds of years. While the practice has noted relaxation and cardiovascular benefits, extreme heat is often not advisable for those with underlying health conditions or who simply can’t tolerate excessive temperatures. Infrared saunas, which use infrared light to heat the body, were created to achieve the effect of a sauna without having to heat the air.
Infrared light is able to transfer energy underneath the skin, which means that instead of heating the whole room, an infrared sauna heats only the objects within the room. Thus, it can mimic the effects of a traditional sauna at much lower temperatures. More recently, some such saunas have also included near-infrared light, claiming to add the benefits of light therapy to the heat therapy produced by the far-infrared spectrum. Unfortunately, simply throwing near-infrared frequencies into the mix is not enough to achieve the therapeutic benefits of actual light therapy; while this is the correct type of infrared for light therapy, in this setting it doesn’t reach the dose needed to produce the desired benefit.
NovoTHOR is a photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) that applies red and near-infrared light to the body to promote cell regeneration and reduce pain and inflammation. Unlike a sauna, it is not designed to produce heat, although you might feel slight warming during a session due to increased circulation. Instead, NovoTHOR delivers an optimal dose and intensity of specific wavelengths of near-infrared light that act on a cellular level to stimulate the function of your mitochondria, increasing cellular energy. NovoTHOR also reduces oxidative stress throughout the body, displacing damaging free radicals and boosting your natural healing processes.
As a result, NovoTHOR not only addresses muscle and joint pain—it also reduces inflammation, increases strength and stamina, reduces wound healing time, and promotes quicker recovery after an injury. PBM also has beneficial effects on the skin, improving elasticity, reducing scars, healing sun damage, reducing wrinkles, and fighting acne. Additionally, it helps promote better sleep and boost the mood, reducing depression and anxiety. Because it does not stress the body the way heat therapy does, NovoTHOR is safe for all kinds of patients, even those with medical conditions that would prevent them from attempting a sauna treatment.
While the plan for whole-body photobiomodulation therapy depends on the needs of an individual client, in general, optimal results are seen with regular repeated sessions over a span of several weeks. After that initial period, the results are gauged, and the protocol adjusted as needed to continue or maintain improvement.
At the Natural Healing Center, NovoTHOR is one of many therapies we use to improve injuries; manage and improve chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome; prevent illness, and promote overall health and well-being. Our holistic approach to wellness offers natural solutions designed to support your body’s innate ability to heal itself. Rather than treating symptoms, we search for the root cause of pain and illness and create personalized long-term solutions for physical and mental well-being that incorporates nutrition, education, and prevention.
To find out more about how NovoTHOR can fit into your individualized wellness plan, or schedule a consultation, contact us here.
