Far-Infrared Rays and Healing
Far-Infrared rays (FIR) are the portion of the light spectrum that are invisible to the naked eye. Most of the FIR's on the earth come from the sun. And although we can't see these rays, we can certainly feel them on a daily basis in the form of heat. The human body not only receives FIR's , it radiates them as well.
Everything in the universe vibrates at its own frequency, which causes a transfer of energy from one substance to another. Like most living things, our bodies consist primarily of water and protein. We easily absorb energy from the FIR's coming from the sun because our vibration frequency is of the same wavelength. When these FIR's penetrate the skin into the deeper tissues, cellular vibrations speed up, creating internal heat. FIR's transform from light energy into heat, or thermal, energy.
A good example of this process is the difference you feel standing outside on a cool and cloudy day. Although the air temperature remains exactly the same, when the sun breaks through you instantly feel a deeper inner warmth as these far-infrared light rays penetrate the skin and transform into thermal energy.
The thermal effects within the deeper layers of the tissue cause the blood vessels and capillaries to dilate, promoting increased circulation as well as removing metabolic waste and toxins through sweating. Vibrating water molecules become more "active" as they are ionized into hydrogen and hydroxide ions that release gases and other toxic materials. Cell mitochondria also increases energy production, thereby raising the metabolic rate.
It's easy to see just how beneficial far infrared waves are to our health and why life on earth is so dependent upon the sun. It doesn't just warm the body, it activates many essential functions as well.
In just the last decades, the Japanese have been on the forefront of developing a long list of far-infrared devices. They've been granted dozens of patents on FIR products that can be used for healing,cooking, drying, and heating. Hundreds of items already on the market in Japan including everything from FIR ranges and ovens to FIR socks, hair dryers and clinical treatment devices. Based on what I've seen happening in Japan, I think in the next few years we'll start to see more treatment programs and therapies employing far-infrared devices.
One of the most interesting and useful detoxification tools available is the far-infrared sauna ,which interacts with the unique properties of our skin. It doesn't require prescription medications, IV's or any invasive procedures.
FIR Saunas: Better By Far
I've used wood-fired , electric elements, and infrared sauna. After reading the above, it should come as no surprise that infrared saunas are by far the most effective for several reasons.
Since these saunas heat your body "from the inside out" , the air temperature inside a FIR can be 60 to 80 degrees lower than in conventional saunas, but your sweat volume will be 2 to 3 times higher. It's far more comfortable to stay in a FIR sauna and much easier to breathe because the air isn't as hot. This also makes it safer to use for individuals prone to heat stroke, as well as for asthmatics, heart patients and the elderly.
By penetrating the deeper tissues, the detoxifying effect of FIR saunas is significantly increased. In a conventional sauna it has been estimated that one's sweat contains roughly 2% toxins and 98% water. In FIR saunas, that ratio increases to an amazing 20% toxins and 80 % water.
Exposure to FIR's has profound effects throughout the body and enables you to experience benefits impossible to achieve with conventional saunas. Studies have shown that just 30 minutes in a far-infrared sauna increases the metabolic rate to such a degree that you can burn anywhere from 200 to 600 calories and realize an increase in blood flow from the normal 5 to 7 quarts a minute to as much as 13 quarts. From a cardiovascular standpoint, its like exercising without the effort.(JAMA 81:246:623)
An unpublished study, conducted by the University of Missouri , found that regular FIR sauna use helped in lowering blood pressure. Other studies have found that FIR's inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumors in mice and may prove to be a non-invasive method of treating certain cancers.
FIR's also increase the circulation of blood in bone by as much as 80%, which would be beneficial in the healing of fractures and other problems.(Kobe J.ci 99:45;27-150
Sunlight Saunas use a far-infrared heating system called the solocarbon, which is one of the most efficient ever developed. The human body radiated heat in the range of 3 to 50 microns, but hovers primarily at 9.4 microns. This solocarbon heater emits heat at 7 to 14 microns with 95% efficiency. This probably sounds like a lot of technical jargon but, for practical purposes, it really , means these saunas are by far the most efficient at emitting far-infrared rays at the precise frequency needed by the human body.
I've tried dozens of different saunas, but the Sunlight Saunas are without a doubt the best on the market. They are the only company I am aware of that offers a lifetime warranty on everything including the solocarbon heaters.
For More information on Sunlight Sauna: Contact HEALING HOME, located in the Factory at Franklin.615-423-0355 or 615-423-5354 or visit them at
www.HealingHome.netArticle taken from the December 2008 Newsletter of Alternatives magazine. Written by Dr. David Williams
