Infrared Healing

As light continues to reveal itself as a powerful agent in healing, the Western medical world is officially adopting many so-called alternative therapies. Commercially available and FDA-approved infrared devices are now on the market and gaining popularity as a remedy for physical and psychological healing. The Mitochondria Research Society calls infrared technology an "innovative and non-invasive therapeutic approach for the treatment of tissue injury and disease processes."

• LED light patterns

Function

• Infrared is not visible to the human eye.

  Infrared light frequencies are too long to be perceived by the human eye, but seem perfectly attuned to human tissue. The radiant heat penetrates up to 4 cm, creating a natural resonance with the immune system and white blood cell production. Studies have documented the successful treatment of hundreds of conditions. A study published in Advances in Skin and Wound Care determined that "Food and Drug Administration-cleared monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) modality increases nitric oxide (NO) in the blood and plasmas of normal adult subjects."

Types

• Infrared healing has become very personal.

  Infrared healing has traditionally come naturally from the sun, which emits the full spectrum of light wavelengths. A broad spectrum of gadgets is now available to bring infrared healing indoors and even under your clothes. Infrared saunas, lamps and footbaths incorporate healing with relaxation therapy. Beam healing rays through your shower sprayer to filter the water and prevent mold in your shower while you heal. Infrared-equipped hair dryers, hats, knee wraps, socks and even bras are now commercially available.

Significance

• Research on New Zealand rabbits showed improved tissue healing and strength when rabbits were treated with pulsed infrared laser radiation. A study published in 2004 by the Mitochondria Research Society demonstrated that LED (light-emitting diode) lasers in the near-infrared range improve wound, heart and optic healing. Macular degeneration, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and other mitochondrial dysfunction are also implicated as correctable through NIR (near infra-red) treatment. Medical researchers are looking to infrared as a potential healer for ulcers, slow-healing or stagnant wounds, and even cancer.

Considerations

• Frequencies

  Infrared light (IR) is on the far end of the long wavelength frequencies. It lies just below the "infra," or visible, frequencies of light. The infrared portion of the spectrum is divided into three smaller segments: near-IR, middle-IR and far-IR. Far-infrared (FIR) is considered to be the strongest healing frequency, emitting a wavelength of 5.6 to 1,000 micrometers.

Warning

• Do not base decisions of health and safety simply on an FDA approval. Talk to your doctor to make sure you are not putting yourself at a greater risk by using infrared devices. Several studies, including one published by the American Academy for Dermatology, have implicated infrared frequencies in accelerated skin aging and DNA damage, potentially even leading to cancer. Improper exposure to radiation of any kind may be associated with reproduction and growth dysfunction.