The physiological benefits of infrared heat on the body

Infrared heat is a form of electromagnetic radiation just beyond the visible spectrum. It’s completely safe and natural—most of the heat we feel from the sun is infrared. When applied therapeutically, infrared rays can penetrate up to 1.5 inches beneath the skin, targeting muscles, joints, and even organs without significantly raising the ambient temperature. There are three types depending on how deep the heat is able to penetrate. The most effective being Far-infrared (FIR): Deepest penetration; most commonly used in saunas for full-body therapy, which is what the biomat uses.

One of the most well-documented benefits of infrared heat is its ability to stimulate blood flow. As your body absorbs infrared energy, blood vessels dilate, promoting better circulation and oxygen delivery throughout the body.

• Enhanced circulation supports heart health and helps regulate blood pressure.

• Studies suggest that infrared sauna use can mimic the effects of moderate cardio, improving vascular function and reducing the risk of heart disease.

• Increased blood flow also helps remove metabolic waste and supports faster recovery after physical exertion.

Infrared heat has been shown to reduce inflammation, which makes it particularly useful for people suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, or sports injuries.

• By warming tissues deep within the body, infrared heat relaxes muscles, reduces stiffness, and decreases joint pain.

• It may increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps reduce oxidative stress and improve circulation to injured areas.

• Athletes often use infrared therapy for quicker muscle recovery, improved flexibility, and reduced soreness post-workout.

The warming effect of infrared heat activates the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s “rest and digest” mode.

• Many users report feelings of deep relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep quality after infrared sessions.

• Infrared therapy may also reduce cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, helping to balance your overall mood and energy levels.

Infrared heat can mildly elevate your body temperature, mimicking a fever-like response that stimulates the immune system.

• This “artificial fever” can encourage the production of white blood cells, enhancing the body's ability to fight off pathogens.

• Some studies suggest regular use of infrared saunas can reduce the frequency and severity of colds and flu symptoms.

Infrared heat therapy offers a compelling blend of ancient wisdom and modern science, providing benefits that touch nearly every system in the body—from your muscles and joints to your skin and immune function. Whether you’re recovering from a tough workout, managing chronic pain, or just seeking a moment of deep relaxation, infrared heat may be a powerful tool to add to your wellness routine.

Come try it out during your massage with our infrared biomat.

Unlocking Jaw Health

When we think of jaw movement—chewing, speaking, yawning—we often credit the jawbone and maybe the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) itself. But behind the scenes, there’s a pair of lesser-known muscles doing some heavy lifting: the pterygoid muscles.

Understanding the function of these muscles is key to appreciating how the jaw works—and why it sometimes doesn’t.

The pterygoid muscles consist of two distinct muscles on each side of your jaw: the medial and lateral pterygoids, they are located deep within your face, near the TMJ, and are part of the group known as the muscles of mastication(chewing).

The lateral pterygoid has two heads (superior and inferior), each playing a unique role. The superior head is more active during jaw closing and helps reposition the disc within the joint, while the inferior head is active during opening. Dysfunction here—such as tension or spasm—is often implicated in TMJ disorders, which can cause jaw pain, headaches, and clicking or locking of the jaw.

Working in tandem with the masseter muscle, the medial pterygoid elevates the mandible, helping to close the mouth. It also aids in minor protrusive and side-to-side movements of the jaw, adding power and precision to the act of chewing.

Though it's less commonly associated with TMJ disorders, tightness or overactivity in the medial pterygoid can contribute to facial pain or restricted jaw movement.

When these muscles don’t work properly—whether due to stress, overuse, poor posture, or trauma—it can lead to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Therapeutic approaches such as physical therapy, trigger point release, massage, and stretching often focus on relaxing and rebalancing the pterygoid muscles to restore healthy jaw function.

Why the Diaphragm Muscle Deserves More Attention in Massage Therapy

When we think about massage therapy, muscles like the trapezius, hamstrings, or lower back often come to mind. But there’s one essential muscle that’s often overlooked—yet it plays a central role in our physical and emotional well-being: the diaphragm.

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that sits below your lungs and separates the thoracic (chest) cavity from the abdominal cavity. It’s the primary muscle used in breathing. Every time you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, creating space for your lungs to expand. When you exhale, it relaxes and rises, helping air move out of the lungs.

But the diaphragm does much more than just facilitate breathing—it’s deeply connected to posture, core stability, digestion, and even emotional stress.

More specifically, proper diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body enter a rest-and-digest state. This kind of breathing can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve overall relaxation—making massage more effective.

The diaphragm works closely with the pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, and multifidus to support the spine and maintain core stability. Tension or dysfunction in the diaphragm can lead to poor posture, back pain, and decreased athletic performance.

The diaphragm is sensitive to emotional stress. Many people unknowingly hold tension in their breathing pattern, often restricting their breath in response to anxiety or trauma. Releasing tension in the diaphragm can support emotional release and healing.

Because of its central location, the diaphragm interacts with numerous muscle groups and fascial planes. Restrictions here can cause a ripple effect, contributing to pain or tightness in the shoulders, neck, lower back, or hips.

The role of massage therapy in our healthcare system

Massage therapy plays a vital and increasingly recognized role in Canada’s healthcare system. Often misunderstood as simply a luxury, massage therapy is a regulated, evidence-based practice delivered by Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) who are trained to treat a wide range of conditions—from chronic pain and injuries to stress and anxiety. As the population ages and healthcare demands grow, massage therapy offers an accessible, non-invasive way to support overall wellness and reduce reliance on emergency and primary care services.

The health benefits of massage therapy are wide-reaching. It can improve circulation, mobility, immune function, and mental health, while reducing pain, inflammation, and stress. This makes it an essential tool not just for physical rehabilitation, but also for mental and emotional well-being. With more Canadian insurance providers covering massage therapy, it is increasingly seen as a necessary part of holistic, preventative healthcare—rather than just a wellness luxury.

Massage therapy is also becoming more integrated into team-based care models across Canada, especially in clinics that include physiotherapists, chiropractors, and family doctors. This collaborative approach improves patient outcomes and enhances the efficiency of the healthcare system. By investing in preventative therapies like massage, Canada can create a more sustainable system that keeps people healthier for longer and reduces the strain on traditional medical services.

The benefits of massage therapy on mental health

In our fast-paced world, the demands of everyday life can take a toll on both our physical and mental health. From stressful work schedules to personal challenges, it’s easy for stress and anxiety to build up, leaving us feeling overwhelmed. While many of us are familiar with the benefits of physical exercise or meditation, one of the most effective and often overlooked ways to manage stress and boost mental health is through massage therapy.

Massage therapy plays a key role in reducing stress by promoting relaxation. It does this by lowering cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, and stimulating the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine—both of which are known for enhancing mood and promoting feelings of happiness. By relaxing your body, massage helps reduce the physiological effects of stress and allows your mind to relax as well, offering a sense of peace and calm.

The act of physical touch itself can be deeply comforting, offering a safe space to unwind. Furthermore, the endorphins released during a massage can boost your mood and bring a sense of emotional well-being. For individuals struggling with low energy, sadness, or constant worry, regular massage sessions can act as a supplement to other mental health treatments, offering a valuable source of comfort and emotional balance.

During a massage, the body enters a parasympathetic state (also known as the "rest and digest" mode), where the heart rate slows, muscles release tension, and the nervous system becomes less reactive. This relaxation can counteract the effects of chronic anxiety or stress, leaving you feeling recharged and more focused in your day-to-day life.

How massage therapy can reduce headaches and tmj issues

Headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are common issues that affect many people, causing discomfort and disruption to daily life. Whether you’re suffering from tension headaches, migraines, or jaw pain from TMJ dysfunction, massage therapy can offer significant relief.

One of the most common causes of headaches, particularly tension headaches, is the buildup of tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and scalp. Stress, poor posture, and long hours spent at a desk or in front of a screen can lead to tight muscles, which then trigger headache pain. Some specific techniques used for headaches are trigger point therapy, scalp massage and neck and shoulder massage.

Trigger point therapy is a technique that focuses on specific points of tightness in the muscles that are referred to as "trigger points." By applying pressure to these points, massage can reduce muscle knots and the associated pain.

More specifically for TMJ disorders, this refers to problems with the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often resulting in pain, clicking, and difficulty moving the jaw. TMJ issues can be caused by various factors, including teeth grinding, jaw clenching, poor posture, and stress.

Massage therapy can help relieve TMJ pain by addressing the muscles around the jaw, neck, and head. These muscles are often tight and overworked, contributing to jaw discomfort and dysfunction. Some specific techniques used for TMJ pain are myofascial release, jaw and facial massage as well as neck and shoulder massage.

Myofascial release: This technique focuses on gentle, sustained pressure to release muscle tightness and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). For TMJ, this can help release tension in the jaw muscles and surrounding areas.