Infra Red Sauna>

Infrared therapy then is a scientific method of producing a natural phenomenon that triggers self-healing mechanisms within our bodies.

1. It increases the extensibility of collagen tissues

Tissues heated to 45 Degrees Celsius and then stretched exhibit a non-elastic residual elongation of about 0.5 ~0.9% that persists after the stretch is removed. It does not occur in these same tissues when stretched at normal tissue temperatures. Thus 20 stretching sessions can produce around 10 ~ 18% increase in length in tissues heated and stretched. This effect would be especially valuable in working with ligaments, joint capsules, tendons, fasciae, and synovium that have become scarred, thickened or contracted.

Such stretching at 45 Degrees Celsius caused much less weakening in stretched tissues for a given elongation than a similar elongation produced at normal tissue temperatures.

The cited experiments clearly show that low-impact stretching can produce a significant residual elongation when heat is applied together with stretching or range-of-motion exercises, which is also safer than stretching tissues at normal tissue temperatures.

This safer stretching effect is crucial in properly training competitive athletes so as to minimize their "down" time from injuries.

2. It decreases joint stiffness directly.

There was a 20% decrease in stiffness at 45 Degrees Celsius as compared with 33 Degrees Celsius in rheumatoid finger joints, which correlated perfectly to both subjective and objective observation of stiffness.

Any stiffened joint and thickened connective tissues should respond in a similar fashion.

3. It relieves muscle spasms.

Muscle spasms have long been observed to be reduced through the use of heat, be they secondary to underlying skeletal, joint, or neuro-pathological conditions.

This result is possibly produced by the combined effect of heat on both primary and secondary afferent from spindle cells and from its effects on Golgi tendon organs. The effects produced by each of these mechanisms demonstrated their peak effect within the therapeutic temperature range obtainable with radiant heat.

4. It produces pain relief.

Pain may be relieved via the reduction of attendant or secondary muscle spasms. Pain is also at times related to ischemia due to tension or spasm, which can be improved by the hyperemia that heat-induced vasodilatation produces. This then breaks the feedback loop, in which the ischemia leads to further spasm and then more pain.

Heat has been shown to reduce pain sensation by direct action on both free-nerve endings in tissues and on peripheral nerves. In one dental study, repeated heat applications eventually led to abolishment of the whole nerve response responsible for pain arising from dental pulp.

Heat may lead to both increased endorphin production and a shutting down of the so-called "spinal gate" of Melzack and Wall, each of which can reduce pain.

5. It increases blood flow.

Heating of one area of the body produces reflex-modulated vasodilatation in distant-body areas, even in the absence of a change in core body temperature; i.e. heat one extremity and the contra-lateral extremity also dilates; heat a forearm and both lower extremities dilate; heat the front of the trunk and the hand dilates. Heating of muscles produces an increased blood flow level similar to that seen during an exercise.

Temperature elevation produces an increase in blood flow and dilation directly in capillaries, arterioles, and venous, probably through direct action on their smooth muscles. The release of bradykinin, released as a consequence of sweat-gland activity, also produces increased blood flow and vasodilatation.

Whole-body hyperthermia, with a consequent core temperature elevation, further induces vasodilatation via an hypothalamic-induced decrease in sympathetic tone on the arteriovenous anastomoses. Vasodilatation is also produced by axonal reflexes and by reflexes that change vasomotor balance.

6. It assists in resolution of inflammatory infiltrates, edema and exudates.

The increased peripheral circulation provides the transportation needed to help evacuate the edema, which can help stop inflammation, decrease pain and help speed healing. 7. More recently, it has been used in cancer therapy.

This is a new and experimental procedure.

It shows a great promise in some cases when used properly.

American researchers favor careful monitoring of the tumor temperature; whereas, the successes reported in Japan make no mention of such precaution.

Infrared healing is now becoming the leading edge in the care of soft tissue injuries to promote both relief in chronic or intractable "permanent" cases, and accelerated healing in newer injuries. Localized infrared therapy using lamps tuned to the 2 ~ 25 micron waveband is used for the treatment and relief of pain by over 40 reputable Chinese Medical Institutes.

Researchers reported over 90% success in a summary of Chinese studies that assessed the effect of infrared therapy on:

Soft tissue injury

Lumbar strain

Periarthritis of the shoulder

Sciatica

Pain during Menstruation

Neurodermatitis

Eczema with infection

Post-surgical infections

Diarrhea

Cholecystitis

Neurasthenia

Pelvic infection

Pediatric Pneumonia

Tineas

Frostbite with inflammation

Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)

Japanese researchers, as reported in the book Infrared Therapy by Dr. Yamajaki, have produced the following provocative results.

Burns: relieves pain and decreases healing time, with less scarring

High Blood Pressure: safe in 40 ~ 50°C range and regular use helps to lower it

Low Blood Pressure: sauna trains body to raise it

Brain Damage: accelerated repair in brain contusions

Short-term memory improved

Cancer of the tongue reversed

Toxic Electromagnetic Fields: effects neutralized

Cerebral Hemorrhages: recovery is both sped up and significantly enhanced

Auto Accident: related soft tissue injury - daily sessions were used until best healing was attained; then Infrared systems were used to deal with permanent residuals. The pain control effect on the chronic residuals from such injuries lasted three days before another treatment was necessary.

Arthritis, acute and chronic: was greatly relieved Gouty Arthritis: relieved

Rheumatoid Arthritis: relieved

Menopause Symptoms: relieved chills, nervousness, depression, dizziness, head & stomach aches

Weight Loss: first, through sweating and the energy use needed to produce the sweat and second, through direct excretion of fat

BLOOD CIRCULATION

All of the following ailments may be associated to some degree with poor circulation and, thus, may respond well to the increased peripheral dilation associated with Infrared application:

Arthritis

Sciatica

Backaches

Hemorrhoids

Nervous Tension

Diabetes

Children's Over-tired Muscles

Varicose Veins

Neuritis

Bursitis

Rheumatism

Strained Muscles

Fatigue Stretch Marks Menstrual Cramps

Upset Stomachs

Leg and Decubitus Ulcers: failed to heal using conventional approaches

Post-Operative Edema: treatment with infrared has been so successful that hospital stays were reported to have been reduced by 25%

Peripheral Occlusive Disease: "The goal is to maintain an optimal blood flow rate to the affected part... In general the temperature should be maintained at the highest level which does not increase the circulatory discrepancy as shown by cyanosis and pain" - Therapeutic Heat and Cold pp. 456 ~ 457

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, ARTERIOSCLEROSIS AND HYPERTENSION

Finnish researchers, talking about the regular use of conventional saunas state that there are abundant evidences to suggest that blood vessels of regular sauna-goers remain elastic and pliable longer due to the regular dilation and contraction of blood vessels induced by sauna use. German medical researchers reported in "Dermatol Monatsschr" in 1989 that a single whole-body session of infrared-induced hyperthermia lasting over one hour had only beneficial effects on subjects with stage I-II essential hypertension. Each subject experienced a rise in core body temperature to a maximum level of 38.5°C (101.3°F). All of the subjects in one experiment had significant decrease in arterial, venous and mean blood pressure that lasted for at least 24 hours and was linked, according to the researchers, to a persistent peripheral dilation effect. An improvement in plasma viscosity was also noted. Another group of similar hypertension patients was also studied under the same conditions of infrared-induced hyperthermia, with an eye toward more carefully evaluating the circulatory system effects induced by this type of whole-body heating. During each infrared session, there was a significant decrease of blood pressure, cardiac ejection resistance, and total peripheral resistance in every subject. There was also a significant increase during each session of the subjects' heart rates, stroke volumes, cardiac outputs and ejection fractions. The researchers cite these last three effects as evidences that the stimulation of the heart during infrared-induced hyperthermia is well compensated, while the prior list of effects clearly show the microcirculatory changes that lead to the desired result of a lowering of blood pressure.

AGING

Problems often accompanying Aging, that have been reported to have been alleviated or reduced by Infrared Therapy in Japan:

Menopause

Cold hands and feet: A physical therapist found 20~50% improvement was maintained

High Blood Pressure: Example - Case of a diabetic with a systolic decrease from 180 to 125 and a concurrent 10 lbs. Weight loss after use

Rheumatoid Arthritis: 7 out of 7 cases successfully resolved in one clinical trial

Radiation Sickness: relieves signs and symptoms

Cancer Pain: relieved pain in later stages of cancer extremely well

Sequelae of Strokes: Example - Hemiparesis relieved over time

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: reduced • Duodenal Ulcers: eliminated

Pain: which prevented sleep or limited useable sleeping positions were relieved

Compression Fracture Pain: Example - pain gone for 3 days after each treatment in steoporotic compression fractures

Hemorrhoids: reduced § Cystitis: gone

Cirrhoses of Liver: reversed

Gastritis: relieved

Hepatitis: gone

Asthma & Bronchitis: cleared up (like moving to Arizona's dry air)

Chron's Disease: gone

Post Surgical Adhesions: reduced Leg ulcers: healed when previously static and resistant to other care

Keloids: significantly softened and, in some cases, completely gone

 

EAR, NOSE AND THROAT

Conditions relieved with Infrared treatments in Japan:

Chronic middle-ear inflammation or infection: in one clinical study of chronic serous otitis media no pathogenic bacteria were isolated 70% of the subjects studied

Sore throats

Taint's: chronic severe case cleared with 10 Infrared treatments

Nose bleeding

SKIN

Conditions benefited by Infrared treatments in Japan and China:

Nettle rash

Clogged pores are unplugged of cosmetics creating a skin texture and tone of unexcelled quality.

Michael Aaland's book Sweat (Capra Press, 1978) quotes a Finnish doctor to the effect that: "The best dressed foreigner can come into a doctor's office, and when his skin is examined, it is found to be rough as bark. On the other hand, as a result of the sauna, the skin of any Finnish worker is supple and healthy"

Poor skin tone is restored to a more youthful level

Scars and pain from burns or wounds are decreased in severity and extent. Infrared therapy is used routinely in burn units throughout Asia • Lacerations heal quicker and with less pain and scarring

Acne: Three or four infrared treatments may open pores that have not been functioning in years, forcing out clogging cosmetics and loosening dead outer skin. The sauna is thus a boon to teenage skin, clearing acne and blackheads • Body odor: by improving the function of the skin, the infrared treatments may eliminate the cause of offensive body odor. It definitely reduces body adder induced by occupational exposure to odorous chemicals

Eczema and Psoriasis: reported to have responded extremely well to infrared treatments Sunburn: according to the 9th edition of Clayton's Electrotherapy, "infrared is the only antidote to excessive ultraviolet radiation."

Keloids forms at a reduced rate in those prone to their formation with infrared treatments and may be softened by use of infrared systems if they have formed.