A Clinical Perspective on Heat Therapy, Cardiovascular Wellness, Functional Medicine, and Patient Experience
An Interview-Based Report | By: Lennard Goetze, WGA - October 2026
Introduction: A Clinician's Perspective on Therapeutic Heat
For Dr. Scott Banks, an experienced
chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner based in
Practicing chiropractic care since
1982 and functional medicine since 1996, Dr. Banks identifies himself as the
first
His introduction to sauna therapy developed through an interest in longevity research, particularly the work of Dr. Valter Longo on fasting and metabolic health. That interest led him to research scientist Dr. Rhonda Patrick, whose educational presentations introduced him to studies examining sauna exposure and cardiovascular outcomes.
From Scientific Curiosity to Personal Adoption
Initially, Dr. Banks incorporated traditional sauna sessions into his exercise routine at Life Time Fitness. Although he previously disliked prolonged heat exposure, the emerging research persuaded him to experiment with approximately 20-minute sessions several times weekly.
His introduction to the Relax Sauna
occurred at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium in
The COVID-19 pandemic ultimately
accelerated his decision to purchase the equipment. When fitness facilities
closed in March 2020, he lost access to his established sauna routine. In
April, he purchased a Relax Sauna and installed it in his
What began as a personal investment soon attracted considerable patient interest. Eventually, he purchased a second unit, maintaining one at home and another in his office.
Cardiovascular Response and Exercise-Related Benefits
One of Dr. Banks' strongest observations concerns the cardiovascular response associated with sauna exposure. He describes heat therapy as a means of producing physiological changes that resemble certain responses to moderate or vigorous exercise.
Using a Garmin heart-rate monitor, he has repeatedly measured his pulse before and after sauna sessions. His resting heart rate typically begins between 68 and 72 beats per minute and increases to approximately 120 beats per minute following 20 minutes of exposure.
He interprets this response as
evidence of meaningful cardiovascular stimulation without conventional physical
exertion.
Dr. Banks also reports improvements in perceived body composition, including reduced body fat and increased muscular development, during periods when sauna therapy complemented his exercise routine. These observations are personal experiences rather than controlled measurements demonstrating that sauna exposure independently produces muscle growth or fat reduction.
His enthusiasm is influenced by Finnish observational research associating frequent sauna use with favorable cardiovascular outcomes. However, these associations do not establish that sauna exposure itself prevents cardiovascular disease or substitutes for exercise.
Heat Stress, Cellular Adaptation, and Detoxification
Dr. Banks places considerable emphasis on the physiological adaptations associated with controlled heat stress. He identifies heat-shock proteins, particularly HSP70, as an important area of scientific interest because of their involvement in cellular protection and stress responses.
He also discusses potential immune-related effects, including interferon activity and natural killer cell responses, which he believes deserve greater attention within preventive medicine.
Another prominent theme is detoxification. Dr. Banks believes sweating may contribute to the elimination of certain environmental contaminants, including heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PFAS, and phthalates.
He describes sauna exposure as a potentially valuable adjunct to broader wellness and environmental health strategies.
Importantly, the interview does not provide laboratory measurements confirming reductions in these substances. Although some contaminants can be detected in sweat, the clinical significance of sauna-assisted elimination remains uncertain. His observations therefore provide useful hypotheses for further investigation rather than definitive evidence of detoxification efficacy.
Clinical Integration and Patient Experience
Within his practice, Dr. Banks introduces patients to the Relax Sauna through brief sessions lasting approximately five to ten minutes. These introductory experiences allow individuals to become familiar with the equipment before considering longer sessions.
Patients interested in extended exposure may participate in sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes through a more structured program.
He reports that patients often experience relaxation, warmth, and an improved sense of well-being. He also believes heat exposure can encourage a parasympathetic response, supporting a calmer physiological state.
Describing the comforting sensation, Dr. Banks compares the experience to receiving a warm embrace from one's grandmother. His clinical approach is consistent with a broader technology-oriented practice incorporating nonsurgical spinal decompression, SoftWave therapy, Class IV lasers, and balance-related interventions.
Comfort, Convenience, and Long-Term Adherence
An important distinction Dr. Banks identifies is the Relax Sauna's design, which permits the user's head to remain outside the heated enclosure.
Compared with traditional saunas, he reports less facial discomfort, reduced sensations of overheating, and a more pleasant recovery experience. Traditional sauna sessions sometimes leave him feeling exhausted, whereas the Relax Sauna typically produces a combination of relaxation and renewed energy.
He generally prefers sessions in the morning or evening, avoiding periods immediately following meals or directly before bedtime.
Although he aims for approximately 30 minutes of regular exposure, he acknowledges that tolerance must develop gradually. Following interruptions in his routine, even 15 minutes can initially feel challenging.
Conclusion: Clinical Experience as a Foundation for Further Research
Dr. Banks' experience offers a valuable practitioner perspective on the integration of portable sauna technology into preventive wellness and patient-centered care. His account highlights cardiovascular stimulation, thermal adaptation, perceived recovery benefits, patient acceptance, and the practical advantages of a compact design. His sustained personal use and adoption of two units also demonstrate his confidence in the technology.
Perhaps most importantly, his observations identify measurable research opportunities involving heart-rate response, core temperature, cardiovascular markers, inflammatory indicators, environmental toxicants, and patient-reported outcomes.
Dr. Banks' testimony supports the value of continued clinical investigation while distinguishing promising physiological mechanisms and personal experiences from scientifically established treatment outcomes. His contribution provides a useful clinical perspective for the ongoing evaluation of Relax Sauna technology.
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More Than Just Heat: Understanding the Evolution of Sauna Technologies
By Lennard M. Goetze, Ed.D.
2/5/2026 - Two years ago, while attending the Integrative Healthcare Symposium (NYC), I spent several days exploring the exhibit floor reviewing emerging technologies, wellness solutions, nutritional products, and various integrative health modalities. As reviewers and publishers for HealthTech Reporter, events such as these provide valuable opportunities to evaluate innovations that may eventually influence patient care, self-care practices, and the evolving landscape of preventive health. Among the many technologies presented at the conference, one product in particular captured my attention—not because of its complexity, but because of its simplicity. The company was Relax Sauna, and its portable far-infrared sauna system represented a distinctly different approach to heat-based wellness therapy than the conventional sauna experiences most consumers recognize.
At the time, our interest was primarily professional. Like many healthcare technologies encountered at industry events, we cataloged the information, conducted preliminary discussions with representatives, and continued exploring other exhibits. However, the concept remained in the back of our minds and came to light again when we launched DetoxScan.org - an educational website about the many detox modalities and solutions. More recently, my personal interest in sauna therapy transitioned from professional curiosity to personal experience when I purchased a steam sauna for home use.
My decision was influenced by growing public and professional interest in heat therapy as a component of wellness and recovery. Sauna use has been associated with a variety of physiological responses, including improved circulation, muscle relaxation, stress reduction, and enhanced recovery following physical activity. The expanding body of literature examining cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and overall well-being has contributed to increased consumer interest in sauna technologies. Like many individuals exploring health optimization strategies, I was interested in determining whether sauna therapy could become a practical component of my own wellness routine.
While the experience was generally positive, it also highlighted an important consideration often overlooked by consumers: not all sauna technologies produce the same physiological experience. As an individual with asthma, I found that prolonged exposure to a highly humid environment occasionally created breathing discomfort. Although I appreciated many aspects of steam therapy, the experience reinforced the reality that personal tolerance, comfort, and underlying health considerations can significantly influence the suitability of any therapeutic modality.
This experience led me to revisit the broader question of sauna technology and, more specifically, the distinctions between traditional saunas, steam rooms, infrared systems, and far-infrared approaches. In discussing these differences with colleague Daniel Root—known by many in wellness circles as "Professor Sauna"—it became evident that much of the public conversation surrounding saunas tends to oversimplify a category that is, in reality, quite diverse.
Traditional Finnish saunas remain the most widely recognized sauna format. These systems utilize heated rocks and elevated ambient temperatures, often ranging from 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The primary mechanism involves heating the surrounding air, which subsequently warms the body. This approach has centuries of historical use and has been the subject of numerous studies examining cardiovascular health, circulation, stress reduction, and longevity. The experience is characterized by intense dry heat, although humidity may be temporarily increased by pouring water over heated stones. For many sauna enthusiasts, the traditional Finnish sauna remains the benchmark against which other sauna technologies are evaluated.
Steam rooms, sometimes referred to as wet saunas, utilize an entirely different approach. Instead of generating intense dry heat, steam systems produce a lower-temperature environment accompanied by nearly 100 percent humidity. Temperatures generally range between 110 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit, creating an atmosphere that many individuals find soothing for respiratory comfort and skin hydration. The moisture-rich environment distinguishes steam therapy from traditional saunas and may influence user preference depending upon individual health considerations and comfort levels.
Infrared technology represents a more recent evolution in sauna design. Rather than heating the air, infrared systems use radiant energy to warm body tissues directly. As a result, ambient temperatures can remain substantially lower while still producing significant sweating and thermal effects. Many infrared systems operate between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, making them attractive to individuals who find traditional sauna temperatures difficult to tolerate. Advocates frequently cite benefits related to muscle recovery, relaxation, pain management, and convenience, although individual experiences may vary.
Within the infrared category, far-infrared technology occupies a specialized niche. This is the area in which Relax Sauna established its identity. Unlike large, permanent installations, the Relax Sauna was designed as a portable personal system that could be assembled, disassembled, and transported with relative ease. The technology utilizes ceramic semiconductor radiators engineered to emit far-infrared wavelengths intended to be readily absorbed by human tissue. The objective is to deliver therapeutic heat directly to the body while maintaining a more comfortable surrounding environment. According to product information, the system also emphasizes rapid heating, low electromagnetic field exposure, and practical home accessibility.
From a technology assessment perspective, what impressed me most about the Relax Sauna concept was not necessarily the thermal engineering itself, but rather its focus on usability. Throughout my years evaluating healthcare technologies, I have repeatedly observed that successful adoption often depends as much upon convenience and accessibility as it does upon scientific sophistication. A technology that requires extensive installation, dedicated space, or complex maintenance may present barriers that reduce long-term utilization. Conversely, solutions designed around practicality often achieve greater consistency of use, which may ultimately determine their real-world effectiveness.
My exploration of sauna technologies has reinforced a broader lesson that extends beyond heat therapy itself. Consumers frequently evaluate wellness interventions as though they represent a single category, when in fact substantial differences may exist between individual modalities. The term "sauna" encompasses multiple technologies, distinct mechanisms of action, varying thermal environments, and different user experiences. Understanding these distinctions allows individuals to make more informed decisions based upon personal health needs, comfort preferences, and therapeutic objectives.
Today, I remain enthusiastic about the broader concept of sauna therapy while also recognizing that no single approach is universally appropriate for every individual. Traditional saunas, steam rooms, infrared systems, and far-infrared technologies each offer unique characteristics that may appeal to different users. My own experience with steam therapy demonstrated both the potential benefits and the practical limitations associated with individual health circumstances. At the same time, revisiting technologies such as Relax Sauna has expanded my appreciation for the innovation occurring within this category.
As healthcare continues to move toward greater personalization, consumers increasingly seek wellness solutions that align with their individual needs rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all model. Sauna technologies represent an excellent example of this trend. What began for me as a brief encounter with an unusual product on a convention floor has evolved into a deeper understanding of how diverse heat-based wellness therapies have become. More importantly, it has reinforced the importance of evaluating technologies not only for their intended benefits, but also for their practicality, accessibility, and suitability for the individuals who choose to use them.
PART 2:
Heat Therapy, Sauna Medicine, and the Future of Restorative Care
By Leslie Valle-Montoya
Throughout the history of medicine, heat has served as one of humanity's oldest therapeutic tools. Long before advanced pharmaceuticals, surgical interventions, and modern imaging technologies, physicians and healers recognized the body's response to controlled thermal exposure. Today, as interest grows in wellness technologies and preventive medicine, sauna therapy represents a modern extension of this longstanding therapeutic principle.
While many consumers associate saunas primarily with relaxation, emerging research suggests that heat therapy may possess broader physiological benefits worthy of greater attention within the medical community. Studies have demonstrated that controlled heat exposure can influence circulation, vascular function, autonomic nervous system regulation, and cardiovascular performance. Repeated sauna use has been associated with improvements in endothelial function, reductions in arterial stiffness, and enhanced blood flow, all of which are central to long-term cardiovascular health. Multiple investigations have further reported associations between regular sauna use and reduced cardiovascular mortality, suggesting that passive heat therapy may provide meaningful physiologic benefits beyond simple comfort or stress reduction.
From a clinical perspective, one of the most compelling aspects of heat therapy is its ability to stimulate circulatory activity without requiring strenuous physical exertion. The cardiovascular response observed during sauna exposure often parallels many of the physiologic adaptations associated with moderate exercise, including increased heart rate, vasodilation, and enhanced peripheral circulation. This characteristic may be particularly relevant for patients whose mobility, conditioning, or treatment-related limitations restrict conventional exercise participation.
The modern sauna marketplace now offers a diverse range of technologies, including traditional Finnish dry saunas, steam systems, infrared units, and far-infrared platforms. Each modality delivers heat through different mechanisms and creates distinct physiologic environments. As physicians, it is important to recognize that no single technology is universally superior; rather, patient-specific factors such as cardiovascular status, pulmonary health, mobility limitations, treatment history, and comfort tolerance should guide selection.
Within the field of restorative medicine, the role of heat therapy deserves increased investigation. Through our work with RehabScan.org, we continue to explore noninvasive strategies that support recovery, circulation, mobility, tissue healing, and quality of life following major medical treatments. Cancer survivors, in particular, frequently experience fatigue, deconditioning, circulatory compromise, musculoskeletal discomfort, and treatment-related functional limitations. Although sauna therapy should never be viewed as a replacement for evidence-based medical care, it may serve as a valuable complementary modality within a broader rehabilitation framework designed to restore function and improve patient resilience.
The future of healthcare will increasingly emphasize recovery, restoration, and prevention alongside diagnosis and treatment. Heat therapy occupies an interesting position within this evolution. What was once regarded primarily as a wellness practice is now generating scientific interest as a potentially meaningful adjunct within cardiovascular care, rehabilitation medicine, integrative health, and survivorship programs. Continued clinical investigation will determine its ultimate role, but the growing body of evidence suggests that heat may once again become an important therapeutic tool in modern medicine.
By: Leslie Valle-Montoya, MD & Daniel Root
In recent years, there has been a noticeable resurgence of interest in thermal therapies, particularly sauna bathing, within modern health and wellness practices. Once regarded primarily as a cultural tradition or recreational activity, sauna use is increasingly being revisited through the lens of physiology, recovery science, and integrative health.
This renewed attention reflects a broader shift toward exploring non-invasive approaches that engage the body’s inherent adaptive mechanisms. Controlled heat exposure represents one such approach, capable of eliciting measurable responses across cardiovascular, neurological, and cellular systems. As research continues to expand, these responses are being examined not only for their immediate effects, but also for their potential role in long-term resilience and recovery.
At the same time, advances in technology have introduced new forms of heat delivery, including infrared-based systems, which differ in their methods of application while maintaining a shared goal of inducing thermal stress. These developments have broadened access and diversified the ways in which individuals engage with heat-based practices.
Within clinical and research-oriented environments, there is growing interest in understanding how these modalities may be integrated into structured health frameworks. This includes the use of imaging, physiological monitoring, and other measurement tools to assess changes over time. Such approaches align with ongoing efforts to move beyond subjective reporting toward objective evaluation.
As sauna practices continue to evolve, it becomes increasingly important to distinguish between tradition, mechanism, and application. A clear understanding of how heat is delivered, how the body responds, and how these responses may be measured provides a foundation for informed exploration.
The discussion that follows examines both traditional and modern sauna modalities, with attention to their historical context, physical mechanisms, and physiological effects.
TRADITIONAL AND INFRARED SAUNA: HEAT, PHYSIOLOGY, AND THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
Sauna bathing represents a convergence of cultural tradition, environmental exposure, and physiological adaptation. While most commonly associated with Finland, where it is deeply embedded in daily life, sauna use has evolved into a globally adopted practice with both traditional and modern technological variations.
At its core, sauna exposure introduces controlled thermal stress to the human body. This stress initiates a range of responses involving thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and cellular adaptation. Understanding these responses requires examining not only the cultural origins of sauna use, but also the mechanisms by which heat is delivered and how the body responds.
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
In Finland, sauna is not merely a wellness activity but a cultural institution. It has historically served as a place for physical cleansing, social interaction, and even important life events. The concept of löyly—the steam generated by pouring water over heated stones—represents more than humidity; it reflects the atmosphere, sensation, and shared experience of the sauna environment.
This communal and ritualistic aspect distinguishes traditional sauna from many modern adaptations, where the emphasis often shifts toward individual use and technological variation.
HEAT TRANSFER: CONVECTION AND RADIATION:
Traditional Dry Sauna
Traditional dry saunas heat the body primarily through convection, where hot air transfers heat to the skin, and conduction, through contact with heated surfaces. Ambient temperatures are typically high, and the addition of water to heated stones increases humidity, altering the thermal experience and influencing evaporative cooling.
This environment produces a gradual increase in skin and core body temperature, activating thermoregulatory responses.
Far Infrared (FIR) Sauna: Far infrared saunas use radiant heat transfer, where infrared energy is absorbed by the body and converted into heat. These systems generally operate at lower ambient air temperatures, with heat delivery occurring more directly at the skin and superficial tissues.
Water and biological tissues absorb infrared radiation across a range of wavelengths, converting that energy into thermal energy. In practical terms, the physiological response appears to depend more on total heat exposure than on any single wavelength characteristic.
A useful analogy is solar radiation: on a cool day, direct sunlight can feel warm on the skin even when surrounding air remains relatively cold. This reflects radiant heat absorption rather than convective heating.
Thermal Dose and Physiological Response
Regardless of modality, the body responds to sauna exposure based on thermal dose, which includes temperature, duration, frequency, and individual tolerance. These variables collectively influence the magnitude of physiological effects, including sweating, cardiovascular response, and cellular adaptation.
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO HEAT EXPOSURE
Heat Shock Proteins and Cellular Adaptation: Thermal stress induces the production of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs), which assist in protein folding, cellular repair, and protection against stress-related damage. This response is part of a conserved biological mechanism that supports cellular resilience.
Repeated exposure to heat stress may enhance adaptive capacity, although the extent of this effect depends on the intensity and duration of exposure.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/
HEALTH RESPONSE #1:
Sauna exposure increases heart rate and promotes vasodilation, leading to enhanced blood flow to the skin and peripheral tissues. This response facilitates heat dissipation and contributes to cardiovascular engagement comparable to moderate physical activity.
Observational studies have associated regular sauna use with improved cardiovascular outcomes, though such findings reflect correlation rather than direct causation.
Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2130724
NEUROENDOCRINE AND RECOVERY RESPONSES
Heat exposure activates the autonomic nervous system, initially stimulating sympathetic activity followed by a parasympathetic recovery phase. This transition may contribute to perceived relaxation and recovery following sauna sessions.
Elevated endorphin levels and changes in stress-related hormones have also been observed, although responses may vary between individuals.
SWEAT PHYSIOLOGY AND THERMOREGULATION
Eccrine Sweat: Eccrine glands are distributed across most of the body and are the primary drivers of thermoregulation. They produce a water-based fluid composed mainly of water and electrolytes.
Eccrine sweating facilitates cooling through evaporation and represents the dominant sweating mechanism in both traditional and FIR sauna environments.
SEBACEOUS AND APOCRINE CONTRIBUTIONS
Sebaceous glands produce sebum, a lipid-rich substance that helps maintain skin integrity. Under elevated temperatures, sebum becomes more fluid and may mix with sweat at the skin surface. Apocrine glands, located in specific regions such as the axilla, produce a thicker secretion but are not the primary contributors to whole-body sweating during sauna exposure.
The interaction between eccrine sweat and skin-surface lipids creates a complex interface that may influence the composition of substances present in sweat.
SWEAT AND EXCRETORY CONSIDERATIONS
Sweating represents a secondary excretory pathway compared to primary systems such as hepatic metabolism and renal elimination. However, it provides a potential route for the elimination of certain compounds.
Water-Soluble Compounds: Eccrine sweat is compatible with the transport of small, water-soluble substances, including electrolytes and certain metabolic byproducts.
Lipophilic Compounds: Lipophilic (fat-soluble) compounds tend to associate with lipid environments such as adipose tissue and sebum. Because sebum is lipid-rich, it provides a plausible medium for interaction with such compounds at the skin surface.
Some studies have detected trace levels of environmental compounds in sweat, suggesting that sweating may contribute to their excretion under certain conditions, though the magnitude of this contribution remains under investigation.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312275/
INFRARED SAUNA SCOPE CLARIFICATION
In this discussion, far infrared sauna is considered a heat-based modality. Near infrared (NIR), red light therapy, and photobiomodulation involve different mechanisms related to light-tissue interaction and are not addressed within this sauna-focused framework.
Comparative Overview: Traditional vs FIR Sauna
Category | Traditional Dry Sauna | Far Infrared Sauna |
Heat mechanism | Convection and conduction | Radiant infrared absorption |
Air temperature | Higher | Lower |
Core temperature response | Often significant | Variable depending on exposure |
Sweat production | Thermoregulated, high intensity | Thermoregulated, often sustained |
Heat shock protein activation | Well-supported with sufficient heat stress | Plausible, dependent on thermal dose |
User tolerance | May be limited by high heat | Often more tolerable for longer sessions |
MEASUREMENT AND EMERGING APPLICATIONS
Advances in imaging and physiological monitoring provide opportunities to evaluate sauna-induced changes more directly. Potential measurable parameters include:
- Core and skin temperature changes
- Cardiovascular response (heart rate, vascular function)
- Sweat volume and composition
- Skin-surface lipid expression
- Hydration and electrolyte balance
- Tissue perfusion and imaging-based changes
Such measurements may contribute to a deeper understanding of how thermal exposure influences recovery and physiological function.
Conclusion: Sauna bathing, whether traditional or infrared, represents a form of controlled heat exposure that engages multiple physiological systems. While the mechanisms of heat delivery differ, the body’s response is governed by thermoregulation, cardiovascular adaptation, and cellular stress signaling.
The relative contributions of different sauna modalities to specific outcomes, including detoxification, remain areas of ongoing investigation. What is consistent, however, is that heat—applied in a controlled and tolerable manner—elicits measurable biological responses that continue to be explored in both traditional practice and modern research contexts.
ABOUT THE EDITORIAL TEAM
Thomas Vallee is an independent researcher and author focused on detoxification and the science and clinical applications of far-infrared thermotherapy. His research interest emerged from his personal health journey and expanded into years of reviewing peer-reviewed literature on thermal medicine. His work examines physiological mechanisms and emerging clinical evidence across rehabilitation, cardiovascular health, sports recovery, occupational medicine, healthy aging, and supportive care. Vallee seeks to bridge scientific research with responsible clinical application through balanced, accessible analysis. He advocates for rigorous investigation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice, emphasizing measurable outcomes and high-quality clinical research over anecdotal therapeutic claims.
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