The Science Behind Health Benefits Of Infrared
Unlike convection heaters, infrared has many different health benefits. This is why it is so popular in hot yoga, saunas, beauty clinics and health spas. It is even sometimes used for medicinal reason in hospitals across the world.
We often say that infrared heats objects and people not the air. It can be a difficult concept to grasp but the science behind infrared is actually very simple.
The actual science:
The heat compares to the type of heat you get from the sun. More specifically far infrared operates just outside of ‘visible light’ on the electromagnetic spectrum. It has very low frequency and therefore uses very low energy levels. Because of its wavelength, far infrared passes through the air, travelling around molecules instead of colliding with them and heating them. Instead far infrared collides with the surface it hits meaning it heats objects and people.
Just like the sun is 93 million miles away we can still feel it because energy isn’t lost heating the molecules in-between and only heats when it hits a surface – the earth.
The health benefits:
Infrared has a long list of health benefits and is commonly used for rehabilitation purposes. The wavelength penetrates the skin and helps the muscle, blood and joints. The effects of far infrared heat include reducing inflammation, relieving muscle spasms, reducing pain, decreasing joint stiffness and promotes blood flow in the body. Having good blood flow can have many benefits in itself such as providing proteins, nutrients and oxygen. Bad circulation can be the cause of many health problems. It can cause numbness, nerve damage, tissue damage and a tingling sensation.
Infrared Saunas:
Far infrared saunas have also been proven to eliminate around seven times more toxins then regular traditional saunas which helps you to detoxify. Infrared saunas also help to promote relaxation which balances your body’s level of cortisol, which is your body’s primary stress hormone. Cortisol can control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, help reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation. Signs of excess cortisol can include; severe fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety and irritability, loss of emotional control, cognitive difficulties, high blood pressure, and headaches.
Infrared saunas can also help with weight loss. The infrared raises your body’s core temperature and raises the heart beat which simulates exercise. Because your body has to work harder to keep up with your heart rate and lower the body’s temperature you will burn more calories, resulting in weight loss.
Other Health Benefits:
Another great example of health benefits from infrared is it’s effects on respiratory problems. Common breathing problems include chronic sinusitis, allergies, and asthma. These problems can cause a host of symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, chest congestion, cough, wheezing, laboured breathing, and shallow breathing. Infrared doesn’t circulate the air meaning that the air you are breathing is clean and free of dust particles, dead skin cells, pet hair and anything else that may be laying on the ground.
Infrared heat is also 100% natural. There are no harsh chemicals or harmful rays emitted from the far infrared panels that we offer.
