The wavelength of the long infrared has many other beneficial properties; it rapidly decreases the level of lactic acid (the acid accumulates and causes pain in the muscles when you exercise too much or are very stressed), it stimulates endorphins ‘Happy hormones in the brain’ and eliminates many parasites like bacteria. In addition, even more important, it penetrates the tissues, detoxifies cells by vibrating ion channels, reduces swelling, improves lymphatic flow and blood circulation and attracts calcium to cell membranes, where it is necessary for an effective care. The long infrared simultaneously reduces the volume of the lumps of water, giving them more mobility to easily cross the cell tissues. By doing so, those water molecules, active or energized, during transit in and out of the cells drag with them the toxins that before remained motionless.
Infrared therapy
Infrared therapy is a physiotherapy specialization that uses the biological effects produced by the infrared rays in the tissues for therapeutic purposes. The primary effect is a pleasant warming sensation that in terms of sweating, vasodilation and a slight increase in heart rate, is nothing else but the series of compensatory mechanisms activated by an average person during a walk at a steady pace. Ideal situation for all those who are sedentary or who cannot perform physical activity.
Biological effects
The main biological effect of infrared rays is the thermal effect.
Infrared rays produce heat when they are absorbed by the tissues.
Part of that heat is dispersed in the environment while the other part is transmitted to the deep tissues by conduction and by the circulating fluids. The rise in temperature causes, as a secondary effect, the increase of tissue metabolism, capillary vasodilatation of the arterioles and muscular relaxation. These conditions mainly affect the tissues.
Therapeutic effects
The therapeutic effects of IR is mainly caused by the increase of temperature in the tissues irradiated, and can be divided in:
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Muscle relaxation
The heat generated by infrared helps the relaxation of muscles.
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Analgesic effect
The analgesic effect of infrared is caused by the removal of halogenic substances from pathological tissues and consequent relaxation of muscles.
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Trophic effect
The blood flow increase, which follows the vasodilation, sends to the tissues an increased amount of nutrients, oxygen, white cells and antibodies that help the removal of catabolites from the tissues. These biological modifications improve the tissue tropism, help the reparation of damaged tissue and accelerate the resolution of chronic inflammations.