Recently I started working out in a place that uses infrared saunas. And it started me thinking about my first infrared device.
Maybe you remember it from the early 90s? It was a handheld device that you rubbed on and around the area that you wanted to heal.
I actually purchased mine from QVC and remember it was $15.
You see, my ex-husband had injured his hand and would get terrible swelling from where the bones were originally broken.
He had a physical job and wasn’t getting relief from any pain relievers. So when I saw the device and the demonstration, I thought it couldn’t hurt.
When the device arrived he was reluctant to use it. After my nagging, he finally tried it. And, within a few days, you couldn’t tell there was any injury.
His hand was great for some time and then all of a sudden the pain and swelling flared up again. So back to using the device for a few days and his hand would return to normal.
This happened a couple of more times over the years until the swelling finally seemed to disappear for good, as did the pain.
Since then I’ve been interested in this type of therapy and have watched it evolve through the years. When you witness healing first-hand (no pun intended) it’s hard to ignore the science.
I was, and still am, a believer in infrared light therapy.
But what is infrared light therapy?
Simply put infrared light is an electromagnetic radiation that can’t be seen by the human eye but produces heat. That heat energy can penetrate the skin and help cells to regenerate.
The wavelength of infrared light varies between 700 nanometers to one millimeter. The varying depth is how this modality is able to treat (and reach) different conditions.
You see, the infrared light triggers nitric oxide which fights free radicals, reduces blood pressure and improves blood circulation. This process then gets nutrients and oxygen into the cells making them able to repair tissue and reduce inflammation and pain.
Here are some conditions infrared light therapy (including saunas) can help with:
- High blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- Skin photo-aging
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Inflammation
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pain
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Psoriasis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
It can also help boost the immune system, detoxify the body, reduce stress, fine lines, wrinkles and increase collagen production.
Infrared light therapy should not be confused with light-emitting diode (aka LED) light therapy which doesn’t give off heat and you can see the light. The two types of light therapy can be used (and often are) together.
As I mentioned in the beginning of this email, I have been going to a gym with infrared saunas. My son’s girlfriend, Sam, has also been going with me.
We actually work out in a private sauna that’s 125-130 degrees fahrenheit (51-54 degrees celsius).
Sam said I could share this with you …
Sam was diagnosed with arthritis last year, and has had terrible chronic pain in her hands. In the first week or so of going, her hands would feel great while we were in the sauna but would stiffen up on the ride home. But in the last week she hasn’t had that happen. I think that’s pretty amazing!
My small aches and pains (shoulders and lower back) have also improved.
I really just love this therapy so it’s a big YAY for me!
And if working out in 125 degrees doesn’t sound appealing to you, there are other ways to get all the benefits of the infrared light. Check out Novaa Lab here for their products.
For a healthier you!
Sandy
References:
Lee, JH. Et. al. Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation. Yonsei Med J. 2006.
Ulrike HM., Et. al. Low-level laser treatment with near-infrared light increases venous nitric oxide levels acutely: a single-blind, randomized clinical trial of efficacy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013.
Beever, Richard. Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Can Fam Physician. 2009.
Johnstone DM., Et. al. Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Neurosci. 2016.
Pallotta RC., Et. al. Infrared (810-nm) low-level laser therapy on rat experimental knee inflammation. Lasers Med Sci. 2012.
Maiello M., Et. al. Transcranial Photobiomodulation with Near-Infrared Light for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019.
Suhariningsih, S. Et. al. The combined effect of magnetic and electric fields using on/off infrared light on the blood sugar level and the diameter of Langerhans islets of diabetic mice. Vet World. 2020.
Effects of Transcranial Photobiomodulation with Near-Infrared Light on Sexual Dysfunction. Lasers Surg Med. 2018.
Kang MH., Et. al. Near-infrared-emitting nanoparticles activate collagen synthesis via TGFβ signaling. Sci Rep. 2020.
Wunsch A., Et. al. A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014.
