Far Infrared Heating Pad: How it Can Assist Your Recovery From Injury While at Home

What is Far Infrared Radiation or FIR?

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Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) utilizes very specific light waves along the electromagnetic spectrum. All living things on earth are subjected to parts of the electromagnetic spectrum on a daily basis. The radiation from the sun, which is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, reaches the earth every day and without it life on earth would not exist! The sun’s rays are powerful and can allow plants and other organisms to grow, heal and be nourished. However, over-exposure to the sun’s rays can cause damage including sunburn or skin cancer. Therefore, it is critical that the dosage and power of electromagnetic waves, including Far Infrared waves, is controlled and falls within a specific wavelength on the spectrum.

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The Science Behind the Treatment

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Light consists of ultraviolet rays, visible light (which our eyes can see) and infrared light which falls just past visible red light on the spectrum…hence the name infrared! Science has determined that light specific to the infrared spectrum has healing properties. Just recently, manufacturing processes have allowed companies to develop technology that permits diodes or special fibers to be made that will emit non-harmful pure far infrared radiation (FIR) to be delivered through the human skin in a controlled, safe and effective fashion. Thereby, allowing individuals suffering from pain due to injury to significantly reduce the associated pain and hasten recovery.

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The Biological Effects of FIR Treatment

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Far infrared radiation is accomplished typically through the use of an infrared heating pad that is provided for safe, effective and controlled use at home as an adjunct to formal medical care, including physical therapy or chiropractic. The pad is impregnated with special diodes that produce this light wave…but remember, you can’t see it with your naked eye as it is not in the visible spectrum. This system provides a heating component to the injured tissues such as pulled muscles, sprains, strains, and herniated discs suffered in a car accident or work injury for example. The difference between using this and an “ordinary” electric hot pad is two-fold. A far infrared heating pad penetrates much deeper (2.36 inches) below the skin to help heal where the injury tends to be and it does so at a lower surface temperature. Most electric heat pads on the market will heat just your skin layer and not the deeper muscles and they typically reach 130 degrees which places you at risk for burns to the skin with ordinary electric hot pads. The deeper heat provided by a infrared heating pad is typically no more than 112 degrees at the skin’s surface, thereby reducing any chance of skin burns, yet FIR will also provide longer lasting relief, many times up to six hours relief after the end of treatment.

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What Conditions Can FIR Treat?

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Many people use heating pads for back pain, as well as other painful spots like shoulders, hips, and knees. Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) can be used to treat the pain associated with: neck pain, lower back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain and knee pain. As well as, sprains & strains, tendonitis, tendinosis, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy, RSD, epicondylitis, herniated disc pain, bursitis among many other conditions. There are several scientific studies attesting to the effectiveness of using Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) including the National Institute of Health (NIH) touting its biological effects and medical applications. Therefore, Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) Heating Pads have been proven safe and effective for many medical conditions and it is a treatment technique registered by the FDA for use in the United States.

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Are There Precautions to Take Before Using Far Infrared Radiation (FIR)?

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Each patient needs to be evaluated by a licensed medical provider prior to the use of FIR. A FIR heating pad must be prescribed by your doctor and all precautions provided. The precautions are similar to anytime that heating of an area is contraindicated. Also, unlike lasers, the light energy emitted from a FIR heating pad is safe and does not pose risk to your eyesight.

FIR heating pad is a proven safe and effective treatment that many patients find as an effective means of controlling their pain from injury while at home without worrying about the risks of burns nor the side-effects of certain medications to control pain.

Please contact us at Excelsia Injury Care to discuss your condition and how you may benefit from the use of a FIR heating pad.

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