Pain Relief and Healing
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."