What exactly is infrared, or radiant heat? No need to worry - it has nothing to do with either ultraviolet radiation (which gives you a sunburn and damages your skin) or atomic radiation (the kind from a nuclear bomb).Radiant heat is simply a form of energy that heats objects directly through a process called conversion, without having to heat
air in between. Radiant heat is also called infrared energy (IR). Our sun is principal source of radiant energy that we enjoy daily (some more so than others).
Have you ever been outside on a partly cloudy spring day of about 50 degrees F. and felt quite comfortable until sun was suddenly obscured by a cloud? Although air temperature had not had time to drop, you felt chilled, as cloud would not let warming infrared rays through to reach you.
Infrared light is an important energy force that promotes healing - a raising of white blood cell count. Why is that good? Because more white blood cells mean greater immunity. Greater immunity means greater health and a better quality of life.
Today we're seeing new technologies employing far-infrared energy in health care products an din clinical protocols such as hyperthermic therapies for detoxification and cancer treatment.
Energy medicine is an ancient practice and Chinese health practitioners would use healing touch therapies for improved cell growth, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in cells. Although these ancient practitioners did not know technical terms as to why their therapy improved health, they were sure their patients got better.
Yes, human heat from their touch increased immune defense response in which white blood cells surround and ingested small living things (like bacteria) and cell wastes.
Far-infrared heat follows same principle: warm injury site to speed healing. Why is infrared heat better than say, a heating pad? Because vibrational energy of far-infrared light is unlike that of heat energy we use for everyday functions, like cooking. Boiling water could actually damage our skin but it doesn't heat internal organs. Sunlight heats us in a profound way, however, because it contains penetrating far-infrared rays as well as full range of energy in electromagnetic spectrum.
I know what you must be thinking - how can I benefit from sun's infrared rays? I don't live near equator. Besides, I thought sun's rays were damaging to my skin. While it's true sun's rays should be used judiciously, especially by fair-skinned people, fact remains that infrared radiation promotes health.
A few companies have captured essence of this healing energy by creating spruce saunas and smaller wraps for localized healing in specific areas of body. Some of these spruce saunas have been created using wood that contains no pesticides for better tolerance and detoxification.
