Pain Relief and Healing
Far-InfraRed energy provides many therapeutic effects. In addition to
sweat detoxification the other most common applications of
Far-InfraRed technology have been pain relief and healing. The special
ceramic heaters in the sauna emit a very specific and narrow band of
infrared wavelengths. These heaters were developed in Japan by Dr.
Tadashi Ishikawa in 1965 and their therapeutic benefits have been
researched by the Japanese 'InfraRed Society', composed of medical
doctors and physical therapists. Over 700,000 whole-body treatment
units are in operation in the Orient and their popularity is quickly
spreading to other parts of the world including North America.
Millions of smaller infrared devices are used in the Orient, Europe,
Australia and North America for localized therapy providing pain
relief and the stimulation or our natural healing mechanisms.
Far-InfraRed has been effectively used in the treatment of arthritis,
bursitis, fibromyalgia, backache, sprains, strains and many other
muscular-skeletal ailments.
 How Does Far-InfraRed provide Pain Relief and Promote Healing?
Dr. Leon Silverstone, an expert in the field of EMW's (Electro
magnetic wavelengths) research and a developer of non-invasive devices
for the treatment for chronic pain, explains that:
"The mechanism of action is in some ways simple. It is related to
vasodilatation, or increased blood flow and local temperature. The
penetrating infrared energy brings nutrients and oxygen to the soft
tissue region being treated and at the same time stimulates the
removal of accumulated toxins."
Additionally, Far-InfraRed reduces levels of lactic acid in the body.
Lactic acid is a by-product of muscle metabolism that causes soreness
and stiffness especially following exercise.
Dr. Tsu-Tsair Oliver Chi adds to the understanding of the healing
power of Far-InfraRed with his discussion of Resonant Absorption:
"These rays are selectively absorbed by the tissues. The internal
production of infrared energy that normally occurs within our tissues
is associated with a variety of healing responses and may require a
boost to a maximal level to insure the fullest healing response
possible in a tissue under repair. After boosting a tissue's level to
maximum, the remaining rays pass onward harmlessly. This phenomenon is
called Resonant Absorption."
Many cultures throughout history have believed in the healing power of
different 'laying on of the hands' techniques. D.J. Fletcher, writing
in Alternative Medicine (Issue 39, January 2001), describes the
commonalties between these ancient therapies and modern day
Far-InfraRed products:
"Energy medicine is very old, ...at least as old as the first Qigong
masters and other ancient practitioners of healing touch therapies. These
healers all had in common the ability to emit energy through their
hands. Contemporary researchers have now proved that these forms of
energy medicine use wavelengths in the infrared range.
 There's at least one startling connection between the infrared Chi of
healing hands and Far-InfraRed products like the knee wrap [and
sauna]. In a situation in which you've pulled a ligament or muscle,
for instance, the knee wrap can become the healing hands. Both employ
the same healing mechanism: They stimulate a degree of inflammation a
positive sign that fibroblasts [the cells that rebuild connective
tissue] are doing their job. Most people don't realize that
inflammation is necessary for a period of time to heal such injuries,
and they suppress this natural healing process by overusing ice and
ibuprofen. Instead, the knee wrap helps to trigger healing by
radiating far- infrared energy.... gently but deeply warming the
injury site."
Ms. Fletcher continues:
"Humans, like other living organisms, have evolved to have a unique
absorption spectrum and to respond specifically to particular
electromagnetic wavelengths [especially Far-InfraRed]...
At the molecular level, Far-InfraRed (FIR) exerts strong rotational
and vibrational effects that are either biologically benign or, in
certain processes, biologically beneficial. This healing ability
stands in contrast to the damaging effects of short wavelengths, such
as X-rays and gamma rays. The molecular effects of FIR are actually
measurable through IR spectroscopy, a method of analyzing the emission
and absorption of infrared light that reveals changes in atoms and
molecules caused by infrared energy. In healthcare, these effects are
being harnessed to promote healing."
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