Getting Better With Infrared Health

With the ever-evolving technology in the field of science and medicine, researchers have been finding new and alternative ways of treating patients. These treatments are based on the premise of achieving effective and complementary healing in patients. One such branch of treatment developed in recent times is infrared radiation therapy. This contemporary therapy involves infrared health – the usage of light waves from two different range of the electromagnetic spectrum – visible and infrared range.

Over the years of study and usage, it’s determined that contained usage of waves that can travel to impaired or unfunctional tissues are capable of initiating a response from the cells that in turn, can assist in speeding up the healing process. For many years now, the healthcare industry has been treating multiple diseases using burgeoning infrared technology.

What is Infrared health

In the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, the waves that fall in the range of 700 nanometres to 1 milimeter are referred to as Infrared radiation. These waves are invisible to the human eye as their waves are longer than the visible light and shorter as compared to radio waves. A branch of radiation therapy that involves these radiations to treat pain and inflammation due to the marked sensitivity of cellular thermoreceptors in different parts of the body is termed as Infrared therapy. The primary source of these radiations are heated bodies and are hence considered a relatively safe method of treatment.

These radiations assist in cell repair and regeneration which is an outcome of hyperaemia – the condition of excess blood supply in the vessels. This further results in reducing muscle tension and influences other localized and centralized chemical reactions in the body. The effects of infrared radiations are further sub-grouped based on the level of impact they have in the human body, i.e. near, mid and far. The division is based on the penetration power of the radiation which in turn affects its reach and effectiveness.

• Near or Low-level Infrared Radiation (NIR): This therapy generally uses near-infrared wavelengths i.e. 700 – 1400 nm. While the wavelengths used are of a lower length and lower energy, they are non-ionizing and have a significant impact on modulating the electrochemical systems of the cell that in turn affects various cellular activities.
• Mid Infrared Radiation (MIR): Infrared radiation range between 1400 – 3000 nm are known as MIR. This therapy is used for selective dermal heating and is often coupled with contact cooling therapy in non-ablative skin remodelling for patients.
• Far Infrared Radiation (FIR): It is the only radiation band that transfers radiation in the form of pure heat as perceived by the thermoreceptors which means that these radiations are not only absorbed but also radiated by the human body. The radiation band ranges from 3000 nm to 0.1 mm. The process of interaction of these electromagnetic waves with the living cell leads to potential changes in mitochondrial metabolism. This change further leads to increment in energy production by the cell in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATPs that subsequently reduces the stress caused by oxidation and inflammation.

Benefits of Infrared therapy

Being non-invasive and considerably safe, infrared radiation therapy has wide-spread implications in therapeutic medicine. Over the years, it has been used in providing an alternative treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain, muscle recovery and even metabolic health. Some of the recent branches in which infrared therapy is making advancements are:

1. Cardiovascular well-being: Infrared radiations are said to increase the production of nitric oxide in the body which is a significant molecule known for relaxing arteries and preventing clotting and clumping of blood in the vessels. Since the therapy is non-invasive and uses non-ionizing heating methods, the increase in blood circulation due to the release of nitric oxide helps in cell repair and providing an optimum level of oxygen to tissues leading to faster healing.
2. Muscular injuries: With increased cellular metabolism, infrared therapy is said to stimulate cellular clean-up and an increase in antioxidant enzymes in the body. These result in the quicker healing process and improving the cognitive functions.
3. Cancer treatment: While the results are not fully confirmed, infrared therapy is considered a potential treatment for cancer patients as it increases the ability of cell repair and regeneration.
4. Detoxification: Given the established impact of infrared radiation on metabolism, it is considered a beneficial procedure for detoxification via infrared saunas. The increased blood circulation and sweating due to heat helps in releasing heavy metallic toxins like lead and mercury out of the body.
5. Healthy pregnancy: While the usage is still under study given the multiple complications involved in a pregnancy, some medical practitioners do suggest infrared saunas to pregnant women for relaxing and warming-up as long as it doesn’t affect the fetus and other bodily functions.

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