Infrared therapy is a light-based treatment for decreasing inflammation and pain in any body part. Unlike ultraviolet light which can damage the skin, infrared light actually increases cell regeneration and can be delivered to specific areas along a spectrum of wavelengths that promote cell repair. It’s the heat we feel when in sunlight. The skin naturally radiates infrared heat.
Infrared is absorbed by the photoreceptors in cells. This light energy sets off a cascade of metabolic responses on a cellular level. In particular it increases nitric oxide levels, a gas vital to the health of our arteries. It relaxes arteries, combats free radicals to decrease oxidative stress that arises from an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants, keeps platelets from clumping and clogging arteries and decreases blood pressure. In this way it improves blood flow, delivers necessary nutrients and oxygen to body tissues and enhances cell recovery, stimulates regeneration and reduces inflammation and pain.
British astronomer, Sir William Herschel, discovered infrared in 1800. When he refracted sunlight through a prism it separated into components. He then measured the temperature of the different colors generated. He found that it increased as they changed from blue to red. When he went beyond red, or infrared, it was highest of all. He documented the first solid evidence that light and infrared are what was called electromagnetic radiation a century later. In his 1800 speech to the Royal Society, he called the warmth he felt from the light a “radiant heat.” In the 1960’s Endre Mester, a Hungarian researcher demonstrated that skin incisions healed quicker when low level lasers, a form of red light, was trained on it.
Infrared make up wavelengths of 700 nanometers to 1 milliliter along the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. They are longer than visible light, so not seen by the human eye, but shorter than radio waves. Their frequency range from 300 gigahertz to 400 terahetz. It can be focused, reflected and polarized.
From thermal imaging to heat sensors to networking, wired and wireless connections, remote controls, astronomy, medical device, and more infrared has far-reaching applications.
Near- IF wavelengths from 700 nm to 1300 nm. And frequencies ranging from 215 to 400 terahetz. Combining the longest wavelengths and shortest frequencies, it produces the least heat.
Mid-IF This covers wavelengths from 1300 to 3000 nm. And frequencies range from 20-215 terahetz.
Far-IF Are closet to microwaves extending from 3000-nanometer to 1 millimeter or micron. With frequent between .3 to 20 terahetz. It comprises the shortest wavelengths and the longest frequencies which produce the most heat.
Next week, we’ll share the various benefits of infrared light, including pain management.
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8946909/
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2539004/
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699878/
-https://www.news-medical.net/health/Infrared-Therapy-Health-Benefits-and-Risks.aspx
-https://www.prevention.com/health/a20505854/light-therapy-for-chronic-pain/
-https://science.nasa.gov/ems/07_infraredwaves/
-https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf10/K102149.pdf
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4745411/