Alternative therapies have long been used to help ease a wide range of both major and minor conditions and are most hailed by many doctors and physicians for their ability to increase your general sense of well-being, which has been shown to help improve your health.
Far infrared therapy is one of these therapies, and it is quickly growing in popularity worldwide for its exceptional results that are even backed by professional athletes.
Why Infrared Therapy?
Sunlight provides many health benefits for the body when it penetrates the skin, including helps increase the production of vitamin D, which is needed to absorb calcium, and it also helps improve bone health.
It has also been shown to trigger the release of serotonin and melatonin in the brain, which helps improve mood, keeps you calm and focused, fights depression, fatigue, and immune deficiency, and promotes better sleep.
But most importantly, it helps stimulate cell and tissue growth, which helps us flourish and grow.
However, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun can be damaging when exposed to the skin for too long.
Therefore, it is recommended you limit your sun exposure to just 10 minutes a day, unless you take the proper precautions, including applying a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every two hours while you are in the sun, preferably, along with wearing a hat and sunglasses and seeking shade when possible.
In the meantime, the sun also contains far infrared rays, which are the rays of sunlight that are invisible to the eye and that are also naturally radiated by our bodies.
As a matter of fact, some alternative therapies utilize the far-infrared energy and heat radiating from the therapist’s hands to provide natural healing to patients, providing many of the same benefits as sun therapy but without damaging the skin.
Hence, far infrared technology and systems were developed to deliver this same form of electromagnetic heat to the human body via FIR (Far Infrared Radiation) units to help promote healing without regular exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can damage the skin.
It also enables the therapist to provide localized infrared treatments to promote muscle recovery, reduce joint pain, and improve range of motion in affected areas while also increasing blood flow throughout the body for overall relaxation and better sleep.
Some studies show it may even help with detoxification, improved complexion, and weight loss.
Sources of Infrared Therapy
Infrared Therapy Vs Red Light Therapy and Heat Therapy
Infrared therapy uses infrared radiation, which refers to a subdivision of the electromagnetic system.
In fact, there are four subdivisions of infrared heat, which include near infrared, mid infrared, and far infrared, which is the farthest wavelength on the light spectrum.
Far infrared light is also invisible to the human eye, unlike red light therapy, which uses visible red or near infrared light to help promote healing in the body.
Instead, it is felt as heat; however, it doesn’t burn the skin or expose it to damaging UV rays like the sun.
Alternatively, a device with an infrared light is used to penetrate the skin, which enables your cells to absorb the energy to help regenerate and maintain their biological order.
Though far infrared therapy is felt as heat, it also differs from heat therapy in that the warmth emitted from it isn’t as intense because, as opposed to heating the surrounding air, it simply heats your body, which makes it more bearable.
The light also reaches deeper into the tissues where your body soaks it up, which brings about relaxation, reduced muscle pain, and a series of other physiological responses.
However, far infrared therapy is also available in many of the same healing products.
Types of Far Infrared Therapy Products
Mats and Blankets
Mats and blankets are integrated with FIR components that enable the fabric to emit infrared radiation to your inner tissues while in use, which in turn increases your body’s own production of far infrared energy to promote natural healing from within.
They are also compact and remain lukewarm to the touch, so you can take them with you wherever for on-the-spot therapy.
Joint wraps and compression sleeves
Joint wraps and compression sleeves are also integrated with far infrared technology to provide additional healing and support to the knees, ankles, wrists, or elbows when in use.
Sleepwear and Bedding
Sleepwear and bedding are uniquely designed to absorb infrared energy released by the body while simultaneously penetrating it with far infrared wavelengths, thus promoting speedy and efficient recovery, which is especially useful if you are an athlete.
Far Infrared Saunas
Far infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas in that they use light to heat the body directly, which enables you to still increase your heart rate and get a good sweat but without overheating.
They may also be beneficial for treating some chronic health issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and more.
Some Common Applications for FIR Products
Muscle Soreness and Recovery
One main application for FIR therapy products is muscle recovery, especially following intense physical activity.
In fact, one study involving a group of male athletes showed that FIR applied via specialized clothing 6 hours after performing a series of soccer moves showed a significant increase in delayed onset muscle soreness in participants as opposed to those where the clothing was not applied, suggesting that far infrared ray emitting clothing is indeed effective for DOMS and physical recovery after sports activity.
Chronic Pain Relief
Another common use for FIR products is to help alleviate chronic joint pain associated with some forms of arthritis.
In one study, several patients with rheumatoid arthritis underwent a series of eight infrared radiation sauna treatments over 4-weeks, after which time, the patients experienced a significant decrease in joint stiffness and pain, a decrease in fatigue, and an increase in overall comfort after the treatment.
Meanwhile, another study involving more than 20 patients with chronic, intractable lower back pain showed that after seven weekly sessions of IR therapy provided by infrared energy enhanced waistbands, participants had a significant decrease in chronic lower back pain.
Research shows that FIR emitting undershirts and garments impregnated with a bioceramic solution are also beneficial for easing pain and the impact of fibromyalgia in patients, especially when worn regularly.
Some studies show that FIR emitting belts may also aid in weight reduction, a decrease in body measurements.
During one particular study, 21 participants wore belts containing ceramic powder 8 hours a day for 30 days, resulting in a reduction in body measurements, which the study concludes may be due to peripheral circulation.
The same study shows that infrared-energy treated belts may also be useful for alleviating menstrual pain.
Uterine Fibroids, Sciatica, Diabetes, Cancer, and More
Various other research shows that FIR emitting products may also be beneficial for treating uterine fibroids, sciatica, bipolar, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Disease, dementia, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and more.
Optimal Far Infrared Therapy for Muscle Aches and Improved Performance
As stated earlier, one of the main uses for FIR therapy is to treat muscle aches, especially those related to injury or sports.
One of the ways it does this is by increasing blood flow, which helps the muscles repair.
And as we saw from the studies, it also helps prevent delayed onset muscle soreness, which is caused by a buildup of lactic acids, thus enabling the muscles to relax and remain supple the next day.
A surge in lactic acids can also cause inflammation, which can also lead to muscle pain. However, since FIR also increases circulation, it also helps reduce inflammation.
Thus, to optimize muscle repair and overall performance, experts suggest maximizing your downtime in between sports or everyday activities to help you stay at your best, which infrared therapy can help you do by enhancing the effectiveness of your body’s natural healing processes as you recuperate.
It also helps your muscles replenish their energy reserves so you can resume physical activity the next day.
Meanwhile, FIR therapy before your performance can also help prevent tissue strain and damage by strengthening the muscles, which also helps improve your results and speeds recovery by reducing inflammation.
Experts stress that it is also important to eat a balanced diet of whole foods
as well as also prioritize good, restful sleep each night as part of proper recovery.
Otherwise, without quality downtime, whether you are an athlete or not, you risk overexerting your body, which can increase inflammation, worsen your performance, increase the chance of injuries, throw your hormone levels out of whack, and more.
Risks and Precautions With FIR
Though FIR is proven safe and effective for treating a number of different health conditions, it is not intended to replace the use of mediations and doctor-recommended medical treatments, especially if you suffer from a chronic disease.
Instead, experts recommend it be used in combination with prescribed medical regimens for improved overall results.
You should also avoid FIR therapy if you are pregnant, suffer from heart issues or acute injuries, have high blood pressure, are sick, or are under medical care without first consulting your healthcare provider to ensure it is safe for you.
What is Too Much Infrared Therapy?
Infrared therapy is a natural, non-invasive, painless way to provide a wide range of health benefits safely.
Some experts agree that further studies are needed to determine the most favorable frequency and duration of FIR treatment based on specific types of therapy for maximum results.
In the meantime, practitioners state there is no specific amount of time needed to reap the benefits of FIR therapy.
In fact, many patients report feeling the effects instantly. However, for some treatments, it may take up to 8 weeks or more to experience results.
Generally, most studies showed most benefits from partaking in FIR occurred after 30 to 45 minutes at a time, just 2 to 3 times per week, but infrared saunas have been shown to be safe for everyday use, provided you are a healthy individual.
However, it is recommended patients begin with just 10 minutes per session if they are new before gradually working their way up to 20-minute sessions or longer.
Because FIR therapy warms the skin, which can cause you to sweat and become dehydrated, depending on the device’s chosen temperature, it is also strongly recommended you drink water both before and after your session to help keep your body hydrated.
If you are sensitive to heat, you should also avoid falling asleep while using FIR products, including clothing, mats, and wraps, etc., because it can cause your body to overheat, which can lead to various complications.
Finally, if possible, you should also be sure to practice good posture when using far infrared therapy products, which will enable your body to absorb as much light as possible for optimum results.
You should also try to relax during your treatment to allow your body’s natural healing process to work more efficiently and to also avoid further irritating your muscles, which can hinder repair.
Hence, some practitioners suggest meditating, deep breathing, or even listening to relaxing music during your session to help you remain calm.
Best Far Infrared Therapy Devices
| UTK Jade Back Far Infrared Heating Pad | HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket | Exerscribe RedTonic LED Red Light Therapy Device |
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| The UTK Jade Back Far Infrared Heating Pad made our list because of the natural Jade stones used that emit much more negative ions when heating up to promote oxygenation | The HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket is a premium infrared sauna blanket made with a high quality you can feel confident in taking anywhere with you. | The Exerscribe RedTonic LED Red Light Therapy Device allows you to control the red light penetration by allowing you to choose from 3 different wavelength settings. |
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Final Thoughts
Overall, far infrared therapy products harness the healing power of the sun as well as your own body for more efficient recovery that is needed to help keep you functioning at your best.
And it’s not just for athletes, as studies show that it also helps improve overall well-being and health in general adults, teens, infants, and even seniors to help keep them strong and active.
It is also used in various fields of medicine, including dentistry, sports medicine, hospitals, and more, as a complementary treatment for various medical procedures, which enables you to receive far infrared therapy benefits in-office, or you can purchase your own FIR products for at-home healing under your physician’s guidance.
