Introduction
Far infrared, often referred to as FIR, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that’s invisible to the naked eye. It has a longer wavelength – from 5 to 1000 micrometers – than other forms of infrared light and falls between ultraviolet light and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum. Far infrared energy is simply heat energy that we don’t see. Its effect on living tissue has been known and studied since the 1960s when Japanese scientist Dr. Haruaki Kose came up with the theory of biological response that included far infrared energy as one of its components.
Far infrared energy has been used in many applications, from medical treatments to household appliances. However, close exposure to FIR heat can cause mild dehydration, so take precautions if you plan to spend time in an environment that uses a FAR-infrared device (such as saunas). The World Health Organization (WHO) states there are no adverse health effects from being exposed to FAR-infrared waves for any amount of time up to several hours each day; however, people wearing pacemakers should use caution when using cryotherapy sessions or saunas because these devices produce far-infrared radiation which may interfere with them.
Definition
Far Infrared is a form of light that sits just beyond the visible spectrum of light, with a wavelength of around 7–14 micrometers, just beyond the red end of the visible light spectrum. Far infrared is part of the natural light spectrum and is found in sunlight. It is often used in heating applications and healthcare.
The Science Behind Far Infrared
Far Infrared (FIR) is a safe form of light, part of the electromagnetic spectrum, that is not visible to the human eye but produces a feeling of warmth when it contacts the skin. Far infrared waves were discovered in 1800 by astronomer Sir William Herschel, who discovered that the area beyond red on the light spectrum was a form of invisible energy and had heat-related properties.
The far infrared energy band falls between microwaves and visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum, making up 50-60% of total sea-level sun radiation. This energy type has proven beneficial to many processes within our bodies.
When photons, packets of invisible infrared energy, come into contact with other materials, such as our skin, and absorb them, they become even more energized, emitting light in the infrared color range. This generation process is known as Thermal Radiation.
Thermal radiation works within our bodies and out into nature, changing temperatures around us like with external heaters or fireplaces. The heat radiates from these sources allowing for less concentrated waves that penetrate our world, setting temperatures until eventually dissipating safely back into space after making contact with cooler surfaces and Objects in its path.
Benefits of Far Infrared
Far Infrared radiation (FIR) is a form of electromagnetic energy with a longer wavelength than visible light and has a wide range of benefits for human health. It can penetrate the human body up to three inches and is said to increase circulation, relieve pain, remove toxins, and help improve general body health.
In this article, we will discuss all of the benefits associated with this type of radiation:
Improved Circulation
Far-infrared (FIR) therapy utilizes a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength that is just outside the visible light spectrum. It benefits overall health and helps reduce chronic pain, improve circulation, and stimulate the body’s metabolic system.
When FIR enters your body, the heat increases, and your blood pressure and pulse rate rise. It forces more oxygen-rich blood throughout your arteries, veins, and capillaries. As a result, circulation can improve throughout your entire body, and as muscles are supplied with more oxygenated blood, they become more relaxed. Unfortunately, increased circulation can also transport toxins from cells, releasing tension in the body.
Pain Relief
Far infrared energy stimulates blood and lymphatic systems circulation without needing exercise. This increase in circulation allows fresh, oxygen-rich blood to be brought to damaged tissue, which can help speed up healing. It also helps remove toxins and acidity which would otherwise accumulate, exacerbating muscle pain, soreness, and stiffness.
Far infrared aids muscle relaxation, which helps reduce spasms and stretch tense muscles. Doing so provides quick relief from painful muscles and other forms of muscular discomforts associated with overexertion during sports activities or any form of physical labor. In addition, through improved circulation, far infrared heat can help reduce inflammation while calming tender and aching joints due to arthritis.
Compared to traditional heating tools such as electric heating pads or hot water bottles that directly heat external skin surfaces while lacking penetrating ability deep into body tissues, far infrared heating is much more effective since it reaches past the superficial layers of skin and into tissues below, by penetrating healthful far infrared deep into body tissues below the surface, endowing a soothing effect inside as opposed to influencing it with the external weak hot temperature outside of your body, leading to enhanced relaxation on tired muscles for better comfort simultaneously promoting healthy healing relief from pains related issues like rheumatism or arthritis.
Detoxification
Far Infrared (FIR) therapy has been used for many years and is now gaining popularity as a detoxification method. Far infrared (FIR) therapy delivers an invisible light source that is absorbed by the body and produces heat – which can be used to help reduce toxins in the body.
The FIR light penetrates deep into tissues, cells, and organs rather than working on the surface. As it passes through cells, toxins, fats, and heavy metals are broken apart by its energy. This process helps with various physical conditions, including reducing inflammation and removing toxins from cells. It also helps promote blood circulation and lymphatic fluids, speeds up the recovery time from fatigue or injury, and promotes general well-being.
The FIR can also stimulate collagen production, leading to a smoother-looking skin tone with a firmer texture and softening wrinkles while firming up drooping skin areas such as sagging jowls or a thick neckline. Additionally, therapeutic FAR Infrared (FIR) saunas have been said to provide other benefits – such as stress relief due to their calming effect on the nervous system – helping you feel relaxed after a sauna session.
This treatment helps contribute to an overall relaxing environment conducive to optimum health & wellness that everyone should experience!
Improved Immunity
There is evidence that Far Infrared Ray (FIR) technology has a range of beneficial effects on the human body, from improved circulation and detoxification to pain relief and enhanced immunity.
Far Infrared has been found to impact the human immune system in three ways:
- Stimulating the production of cells that attack foreign invaders in the body, such as bacteria and viruses, helps support natural immunity.
- It strengthens the capacity of the lymphatic system to produce vital antimicrobial proteins like interleukin-2, which helps fight off harmful bacteria.
- FIR temporarily raises our core body temperature, creating an internal environment that makes it more difficult for foreign organisms to survive.
The effects of far infrared have been studied extensively in several clinical trials, and many studies have confirmed its immunomodulatory benefits. For example, in one study, researchers found that exposure to FIR energy improved white blood cell activity in laboratory mice infected with Spirillum minus bacteria – a virus known to reduce immune response. Additionally, when mice were exposed to FIR energy before being injected with Echinococcus multilocularis – a type of tapeworm that causes damage to multiple organs – they experienced reduced inflammation and tissue damage compared with control groups exposed only to air or water temperatures alone.
Research shows that Far infrared energy positively affects our overall health by supporting our natural immunity at both cellular and molecular levels. Not only does Far Infrared help strengthen immune responses against disease-causing agents like bacteria and viruses, but can also reduce inflammation from injury or chronic conditions, making it an excellent addition to any wellness routine!
How Far Infrared Works
Far infrared technology utilizes a particular light frequency known as infrared rays, which are invisible to the human eye. Far infrared light penetrates the skin, producing a beneficial deep heat that helps to relax muscles, improve blood circulation and reduce stiffness and pain.
This article will explain how far infrared works and the various applications and benefits this technology offers.
Far Infrared Rays
Far infrared rays are part of the sun’s invisible spectrum of light that can penetrate the human skin more deeply than other infrared rays. The wavelength determines the intensity of far infrared light; shorter wavelengths mean higher intensity and vice versa. The ideal wavelength for far infrared light is between 6 and 12 microns because this can best penetrate through our skin and muscles.
Far infrared radiation works by emitting energy into our bodies in the form of heat. This type of radiation penetrates deeper than other sources. It has a much more comprehensive range of therapeutic benefits than other forms of heat therapy, such as hot stones or hot packs. Far infrared therapy works by increasing tissue temperature, decreasing joint stiffness, enhancing metabolism, improving circulation, reducing pain and fatigue, and promoting relaxation. This form of treatment is gentle yet effective in aiding with a wide range of both acute and chronic pain syndromes related to musculoskeletal problems such as:
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
It also helps reduce inflammation in muscles while easing cramps and spasms.
Far Infrared Sauna
A far infrared sauna uses far infrared radiant heat to warm the body. Far infrared is a type of energy naturally occurring and has been shown to have therapeutic benefits for the body. Heat radiation from far infrared saunas penetrates deeper into the body than regular heat does, providing a hot and soothing experience from the inside out. Far Infrared sauna technology offers an efficient, safe, and enjoyable natural healing method that provides beneficial health results without negative side effects.
The human body primarily absorbs light energy as heat, resulting in a therapeutic effect on various organ systems. There are numerous therapeutic benefits associated with using a far infrared sauna:
- improved circulation and skin health;
- muscle pain relief;
- weight loss;
- detoxification;
- improved immune functioning;
- increased metabolic rate;
- joint pain relief;
- and improved cardiovascular health.
The most common device used in far infrared saunas are heating elements or biophotonic ray lamps, which concentrate an energy beam with specific light frequencies that act on different parts of your body, allowing for deeper penetration than traditional dry heat or steam saunas. The material used for producing the heating element can either be quartz or ceramic materials, which efficiently absorbs electromagnetic radiation between 8 micro-meter – 15 micro-meter band spectrum and radiate similar far infrared waves effectively into the human body tissue making your skin more porous to directly release metabolism produced toxins which transfer from inside to outside when you sweat in a sauna session giving relaxation after each session.
Far Infrared Clothing
Far infrared (FIR) clothes are typically made from fabrics that act as a conductor for the wavelengths called far infrared rays or FIR. These fabrics can be made of wool, silk, cotton, bamboo, or other synthetic materials. The far infrared fabric emits far-infrared rays with a wavelength of approximately 3-1000 microns, beyond what is visible to the human eye.
Wearing these clothes helps the body increase circulation via far infrared heat waves. This increased circulation can help bring oxygen and fresh nutrients to damaged tissues while promoting better elimination of wastes and toxins. As a result, these clothes can help with fatigue recovery, joint and muscle pain relief, stress reduction, sleep aid relief, and more. They are also widely used by athletes who improve performance without adding extra bulk to their clothing or interfering in movement during workouts.
Conclusion
To conclude, far infrared is an invisible form of energy naturally occurring in our everyday lives. Far infrared heat is a type of energy that benefits human health and helps plants, animals, and the environment. It also helps decrease the amount of EMF radiation (electromagnetic frequency) we are exposed to daily.
Far infrared heat can be used in therapeutic settings due to its ability to penetrate deeply into the body and provide powerful healing capabilities. Finally, far infrared technology has allowed individuals to enjoy the fantastic benefits this form of energy offers without leaving their homes or offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is far infrared radiation?
Far infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range of 6 to 1000 micrometers. It can penetrate the body, making it an effective therapy for various medical conditions.
2. How does far infrared therapy work?
Far infrared therapy emits low-frequency radiation that penetrates deep into the body, promoting blood circulation and relaxing muscles. As a result, it helps to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system.
3. What are the benefits of using far infrared therapy?
The benefits of far infrared therapy include pain relief, improved circulation, reduced inflammation, improved immune system function, and relaxation. Studies have also shown it to help treat conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
4. What is the difference between far infrared therapy and traditional heat therapy?
Far infrared therapy differs from traditional heat therapy because it penetrates deeper into the body, delivering heat to the muscles and tissues below the skin’s surface. It is also much more efficient at generating heat and can be used at a lower temperature, which reduces the risk of burns and other side effects.
5. Is far infrared therapy safe?
Yes, far infrared therapy is generally considered safe for most people. However, if you have a medical condition or are taking medication, you must talk to your doctor before using any therapy.
6. How can I try far infrared therapy?
You can try far infrared therapy by using an infrared sauna, wearing far infrared clothing, or using far infrared heating pads. It’s essential to choose a high-quality product and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness.