Is infrared heat lamp therapy for you?
It is estimated that in 2016 20.4% of US adults suffered from chronic pain. Chronic pain can impact every aspect of your life. Thankfully there are more and more options becoming available to help treat chronic pain. These Include increasingly popular infrared light therapy, but like with all therapies there are benefits and risks.
I know what you are thinking: learning about new therapies can be overwhelming. Don’t worry we have you covered. In this article I am going to talk you through the different benefits and risks. Jargon free. Allowing you to decide if infrared light therapy is for you.
But before we delve in, lets talk about why alternative therapies should be an important in your healing journey;
The Healing Revolution
Chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis are thriving. It is no wonder we are constantly looking for the latest ways to ease this battle. Prescription pain killers are becoming common place in people lives, but so are their side effects. These range from digestive disorders, immune system damage, addiction and even developing tolerances that make the drugs ineffective. People are weighing up the benefits and negatives of long term pain killer use, then finding it doesn’t make sense. Sending increasing volumes of people to alternatives treatments to make their daily lives more manageable.
The past decade we have seen a rise in the use of CBD products, mushrooms, and even turmeric. It doesn’t stop there. Patients are accepting that the ‘magic pill’ philosophy of pain relief isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The rise in holistic practices isn’t simply from wanting to turn back time and revert back to traditional practices. It grew from science and holistic practices combined. The science world has opened up to investigating the world of holistic ‘miracle cures’ and old wives tales, that have been an ingrained part of human life long before medical science. As holistic and scientific medical practices combine, it has opened up a new future of health and healing. There is always so much more to explore; the past decade in particular has been a large stepping stone. With these leaps and bounds in progress, the general public are able to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind traditional healing practices.
What does this mean for you? In a nutshell, opening up to effective holistic practices could lead to better pain management and in some cases remove the need for medicated pain relief.
How do infrared lamps work
All light therapies work due to light wavelengths. Different light produces different wavelengths, and these effect the body in different ways. Some light wavelength can cause damaged, such as UVA and UVB, known to damage DNA and cells. While other light wavelengths (under the correct conditions) can heal the body. This includes infrared light wavelengths. Infrared light wavelengths target the mitochondria of the cells, this boosts cellular energy production. This has the ability to promote a variety of healing effects throughout the body.
The benefits of infrared heat
Infrared therapy has several medical benefits, as well as cosmetic benefits
- Eases acute and chronic muscle and join pain
- Reduces swelling from oxidative stress
- Boosts collagen production
One of its biggest appeals is that it is completely non-invasive and painless. If anything it has been said to be relaxing and comforting. Simply creating a feeling of warmth. Something that is particularly appealing to joint pain patients during winter months.
The risks of infrared therapy
There are very few risks associated with infrared therapy. Unlike sunlight and tanning beds, it does not expose you to UV light that damages the skin. It is completely non-invasive. Many other heat based therapies run the risk of burn injury and increased infections. The risks with infrared therapy are considerable lower. The only reports of such negative effects have only been shown through excessive use of home infrared therapy lamps. Use is recommended to as little at 15 minutes per session.
Other ways to benefit from infrared heat therapy.
Personal Use Infrared Heat Lamps make infrared therapy more accessible. Lamps are low in price, fairly easy to store and can be used on demand. Research shows they that they are now the most effective way to receive infrared heat therapy. Thankfully, there are other ways you can benefit from infrared heat therapy:
- Sauna – infrared saunas have grown in popularity, being easier to maintain and using less space than traditional saunas. With the added benefits of infrared heat its a clear upgrade.
- Wraps – used to give intense focus to a particular area of the body. They are similar to heat pads that wrap around the body, with the deep targeting benefits of infrared light.
Is infrared better than other light therapies?
It is not a question of one being better than the other but what are the light therapies best at treating. There are many forms of light therapy, but these are of most medical note;
- Blue light therapy
- Red light therapy
- Green light therapy
Blue light therapy – most commonly used for patients with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Blue light wave lengths have a microbial effect, so are effective as a treatment for severe acne and sun damage.
Red light therapy – this is similar to infrared light
Green light – Currently being researched, but shows promise in the effective treatment of migraines.
So it all adds up to this. If you’re looking for a non-invasive way to reduce pain, improve your work out recovery or improve your skin condition, infrared therapy could be a good option.
If you want to support what we do …….
…. you can donate a coffee here : http://ko-fi.com/restorativewellbeing
…. follow us on social media….
INSTAGRAM (@restorative_wellbeing) ► https://www.instagram.com/restorative_wellbeing
FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/restorativewell
Send me an email! Emily@restorativewellbeing.com
Please be aware all information in this blog is based on my own personal experience and research, and I am not a medical professional. If you are needing advice about a medical condition, please seek advice from a medical professional.