Some of you might have noticed a tall white lamp in my clinic and some of you might of experienced the lamp. Aside from feeling nice & warm when directed at the targeted part of the body Infrared light penetrates to the inner layers of the skin at about 2 to 7 centimeters deep. Hence, it reaches the muscles, nerves and even the bones. Many studies have shown that a frequency of infrared light, with wavelengths from 700 to 1,000 nanometers, is best used for healing inflammatory conditions. Some of the many benefits are listed below
Alleviates Muscle Injuries: Infrared therapy improves the role and effectiveness of mitochondria by targeting cells directly. This works in triggering the growth and repair of new muscle cells and tissues. In other words, infrared light can accelerate the body’s repair process after a muscle injury.
Helps Pain & Inflammation: Infrared therapy penetrates through the layers of the skin, deep down to muscles, joints, and bones. This therapy also works to enhance and improve circulation in the skin and within the body. Additionally, it works to bring oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, promoting healing in such areas.
Helps Detoxify the Body: Treatments, such as an infrared sauna, allow the body’s core temperature to increase and helps to promote detoxification in the body at the cellular level. Detoxification is important in supporting the body’s immune system, while also promoting better digestion.
Promotes Immune Health: Emphasis of immune health is especially important during our current pandemic. During infrared therapy, the energy produced by cells helps in regulating the thyroid and positively affects their immune cells. Also, it helps stimulate the lymphatic system and increases the form of energy that cells use, known as ATP, for cells to replicate faster and fight infections better.
Improves Skin Health and Appearance: As our bodies absorb natural wavelengths of red and infrared light, the mitochondria in our cells can produce energy more efficiently. This energy allows your fibroblast cells to create more natural collagen, making your skin appear healthier and younger-looking.
Improves Cardiovascular Health: In combination with infrared light, nitric oxide is a vital, cell-signaling molecule that helps relax arteries, battles free radicals to reduce oxidative stress, prevents platelet clumping in blood vessels, and regulates blood pressure. This therapy enhances blood circulation to deliver vital nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Promotes Better Sleep: Exposure to blue light at your normal bedtime can impact your body’s natural circadian rhythm, which works to regulate hormone levels, appetite, and metabolism. However, scientific evidence shows that infrared therapy helps the body naturally produce more melatonin, and participants in studies have even reported better quality sleep for an increased amount of hours.
Reduces Stress: Researchers in a study testing the effects of Infrared light on Type 2 diabetic patients also saw a reduction in their cortisol levels, suggesting that this light therapy has benefits in regulating the body’s sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight system of the autonomic nervous system), which can help combat everyday stress. It also holds many benefits for those with anxiety and/or panic disorders in promoting relaxation.
