Infrared Therapy uses the power of infrared light to heal the body right down to the tissues. It’s a great treatment option that provides therapeutic effects that range from pain relief and injury healing, to detoxification and skin rejuvenation.
However, before we can get into the details of how infrared therapy works, understanding what infrared light is is a good place to start…
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Types of Infrared Light
Infrared light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that’s invisible to the human eye. It has longer wavelengths than visible light, so it falls just outside the range of colours that the eye can detect. Infrared is part of the huge electromagnetic spectrum that includes X-rays, microwaves, and radio waves.
Infrared light can be divided into three main types (based on wavelength):
- Near-Infrared (NIR) has the shortest wavelengths and is closest to visible light. It doesn’t generate much heat, but it penetrates skin to stimulate cell activity and promote tissue repair.
- Mid-Infrared (MIR) is the mid-range wavelength. It can create heat when absorbed by water molecules. MIR is used in some industrial processes and certain infrared saunas.
- Far-Infrared (FIR) has the longest wavelengths with the deepest tissue penetration. FIR is commonly used in therapeutic devices to improve circulation and relieve pain without the significant application of heat.
How Infrared Therapy Works
Infrared therapy relies on the way infrared light is absorbed and interacts with the body. It has longer wavelengths than visible light, allowing it to penetrate the skin more deeply and be absorbed by cells. This light absorption stimulates cellular energy production, blood circulation, and tissue repair and regeneration. Traditional heat therapy (like heat packs) relies on conduction from the skin surface, but infrared therapy actively penetrates up to 4 cm deep to deliver heat to joints and muscles. This leads to increased blood flow as blood vessels dilate, bringing oxygen and healing agents to damaged areas. Infrared stimulation also triggers the release of nitric oxide, growth factors, and other compounds that reduce inflammation, speed up cell repair, and relieve pain. Rather than simply warming the surface, infrared light triggers natural healing processes, muscle relaxation, and detoxification within body tissues. The depth of penetration and the biological effects induced by infrared makes it superior to traditional heat therapy.
Types of Infrared Therapy
There are a few different types of infrared therapy that each have their own uses and advantages. Infrared saunas, lamps, heating pads, and blankets deliver infrared light to the body in different ways. By understanding the main options, you can choose the best infrared treatment for your specific needs.
- Infrared saunas
Infrared saunas use infrared heating panels to warm the body and prompt sweating for detoxification. They surround the user on all sides for full body penetration. Infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures (50-60°C) than traditional saunas, so they suit some people better. Benefits include muscle relaxation, pain relief, skin purification, and cardiovascular conditioning. They allow for deeper sweating and detox compared to other methods.
- Infrared heating pads
Infrared heating pads use flexible carbon fibre panels to deliver localised heating.
They are wrapped around specific body parts - like joints or the back - to provide targeted pain relief and increased blood flow. The panels are reusable and mould to the body. Heating pads provide pain management without medications and can be used at home.
- Infrared heat lamps
Infrared heat lamps direct focused infrared radiation to painful or injured areas. They provide pinpoint heating without contact to reduce inflammation and numb pain signals. They’re usually used by physiotherapists to treat back pain, sprains and arthritis, and the intensity can be adjusted as needed.
- Infrared sauna blankets
Sauna blankets wrap around the upper body to deliver infrared radiation for relaxation and detoxification. They heat the body directly, rather than the air, with the flexible panels conforming to the body's shape for effective heating. They’re suitable for home use as they provide the localised benefits of full saunas without needing a specifically-designed room.
Health Benefits of Infrared Therapy
As mentioned above, infrared radiation is used in heat lamps, saunas, and heating pads to warm and relax the body. The long wavelengths of infrared allow it to penetrate deep into the skin and muscles, where it has healing effects. While infrared light remains invisible, it provides many health and relaxation benefits that we can feel and experience:
Pain Relief
Infrared therapy has been shown in multiple studies to significantly reduce chronic pain from conditions like back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches. The penetrating heat reduces inflammation and joint stiffness while activating the body's natural pain relievers. Athletes use infrared to heal injuries and alleviate post-workout muscle and joint pain. The deep heating effect provides better pain relief than normal heating pads.
Improved Circulation
Infrared waves cause something called “vasodilation”, which is the expanding of blood vessels to improve circulation to an injured or inflamed area. This lets oxygenated blood and nutrients speed up healing while removing waste products. Infrared also facilitates angiogenesis, which is the formation of new capillaries to improve blood flow. Regular use of infrared therapy can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, benefitting conditions like peripheral artery disease and diabetes.
Muscle Recovery
Infrared heat penetrates tissues to help heal damaged muscles after intense exercise or injury. The increased blood flow reduces inflammation and swelling while aiding in the removal of lactic acid, which is a cause of the soreness. Infrared therapy can treat delayed onset muscle soreness and is often used by athletes pre-performance to loosen their muscles and post-performance to reduce cramping.
Detoxification
Infrared saunas induce sweating to flush out toxins (like heavy metals) from the body. As sweat is released through the pores, it can eliminate toxins that would normally be expelled through the bladder and gastrointestinal system. It’s also been linked to reduced levels of lead, mercury, and cholesterol in the body.
The deep heating properties of infrared stimulate collagen production to reduce signs of ageing and leave the skin looking youthful. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and healing effects, which help to improve skin conditions like eczema and acne. The detoxification benefits also clear pores and eliminate skin impurities.
Stress Reduction
Infrared therapy lowers levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. The penetrative heat relaxes muscles and soothes joints, and can make the body feel deeply relaxed without drowsiness.
If you are interested in learning more about infrared therapy, we offer an in-depth, accredited Infrared Therapy Diploma Course for just £29 (save £118!). Our course covers key concepts like electromagnetic theory, infrared absorption, and NASA's role in developing the therapy. It explains the science behind infrared radiation, including its effects on the body, skin, brain function, and more. The diploma is suited for anyone who’s looking to fully understand infrared therapy and its many benefits, from curious individuals to practising therapists seeking to expand their knowledge.
