Far Infrared Therapy is a low-energy therapy that uses light in the far infrared range to treat a medical condition. Infrared therapy, also known as FIR, uses the portion of the sunlight spectrum that has wavelengths below the visible light. These wavelengths are the most useful. Radiant heat from FIR can penetrate as deep as 3.5 inches below the skin far infrared heating pads.
Far infrared therapy increases blood circulation and soothes blood vessels. It also enhances immune response by strengthening white cells functions. The FIR waves heat up the water molecules that contain the toxins and vibrate to break down the molecules.
Vascular access problems, often accompanied by poor access flow, are the main causes of hospitalization and morbidity in patients on hemodialysis. FIR therapy is both noninvasive and simple and can increase access flow for hemodialysis patients. It has both thermal and nonthermal benefits. FIR therapy is safe for seniors with heart problems because it does not increase core body temperature or blood pressure.
Infrared therapy stimulates the hypothalamus which controls the production of neurochemicals that are involved in sleep, mood, pain, and blood pressure. Far infrared therapy is effective in treating arthritis, muscle pain, shoulder and joint stiffness, venous disease, and immune insufficiency. It treats the entire body, not just a single symptom.
There are many far infrared therapy options available, including FIR saunas and heating pads. Far infrared saunas make use of ceramic or carbon heaters to produce indirect heat that is low in energy. Heating pads use individual natural jade stones. To generate infrared heat, far infrared clothing, bedding, including undergarments, therapy gloves and joint braces, socks and sheets, as well as pillows, use individual natural jade stones. These products often contain far-infrared emitting elements made of antimony, zinc, aluminum, zirconium and zinc. They are being thoroughly investigated for their ability to retain heat and emit safe far infrared radiations that penetrate into tissues and joints.
Gordon Ko and David Ber brayer, both from the Sunnybrook Health Science Centers and Women’s College Health Science Centers of the University of Toronto, found significant improvements in subjective pain and discomfort related to Raynaud’s Syndrome. Hideyoshi Toyokawa and other Japanese researchers used rats to study the effects of FIR on wound healing.