Far Infrared Heat, as it relates to detoxification
To understand what far infrared is, and why it is the best heat for detoxification, it helps to look briefly at something called the Electromagnetic Spectrum.
In the world of physics, everything has a vibration. This vibration can be detected and measured in many ways, but one of the main methods is by its wavelength.
If you drop a one-ounce pebble into a pond, it produces a distinct type of ripple, or wave, that radiates outward in all directions. The distance between the peak of each ripple or wave and the next one is called a wavelength. If you then drop a 5-ounce pebble into the pond, you would get a different wavelength radiating outward. If you then drop a 20-ton rock into the pond, you'd get another wavelength radiating outward.
Everything has a wavelength, a "radiation" that pulses out from it. One of the best examples of this radiation is the sun, since it covers such a broad energy band in the electromagnetic spectrum, including infrared, visible light, ultra-violet, x-rays and gamma rays. Only a very small fraction of the sun's energy is visible to us as colors. When a wavelength is between 0.5 to 0.9 microns (a micron is one millionth of a meter), we perceive it in the form of light— 0.5 microns appears to us as the color blue; 0.9 microns appears to us as red. Every other color lies between those two measurements.
The Cleansing Section of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
If you lay out all the vibrations onto a line graph, you get the graph above. Note that just to the left of visible color lies the spectrum called Infrared ("infra" meaning below). Infrared energy is just outside of visible wavelengths; instead of light, we feel it as heat.
The Infrared segment starts at a wavelength of just under 1 micron (a micron is one millionth of a meter) and stops at 1,000 microns. Furthermore, it is divided into three sections:
Near-Infrared, between .076 - 1.5 microns;
Middle-Infrared, between 1.5 - 5.6 microns
Far-Infrared, between 5.6 - 1,000 microns.
For those of us involved in cleansing, this is where it gets interesting. Studies have shown that a very narrow spectrum of Infrared--between 4.8 microns to 15 microns (shown in the graph as a tiny band of red) --has particularly beneficial effects on the human body. This wavelength is capable of penetrating 1.5 to 3 inches into our body, reaching both the deep sebaceous (fat) skins level (where toxins are often trapped) as well as our detoxification organs such as the kidneys, liver, and intestines. It is this depth of heat that distinguishes far infrared electromagnetic energy, and exerts a powerful detoxifying effect by releasing tissue-bound toxins. It is also the reason that far-infrared saunas can induce two to three times the sweat volume of conventional saunas while operating at a lower temperature (110-130 degrees versus 140-180 degrees).
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Why Sweat Heals: a fascinating article...
Research has shown that FIR waves:
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- Increase blood circulation
- Efficiently eliminates lactic acid buildup
- Activate human metabolism
- Stimulate enzyme activity
- Reduces swelling and inflammation by improving lymph flow
- Assist in weight control by burning calories via accelerated metabolism
Therapists around the world use Far infrared for:·
- Fibromyalgia & Pain Syndromes
- Lymphatic drainage/ detox
- Circulatory Impairment
- Rheumatic & Arthritic Conditions
- Chronic Infection Syndromes
- Removal of environmental poisons including heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, etc.
- Gastric / Digestive improvement
- Balancing Endocrine System*
- Improved wound healing and tissue repair
- Adjunctive Cancer Therapy
- Soft Tissue Injuries/Accelerated Repair
- Connective Tissue Congestion
- Fat/ Weight Loss or Cardio Toning
- Pre & Post Surgery Use
- Cosmetic Applications
- Improves Sleep & Memory
- Any Condition improved by increased circulation & body toxin elimination
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Why Sweat Heals: a fascinating article... |
