Far-infrared rays (FIR), first explored by NASA scientists, have since captured the interest of the medical community. In clinics and laboratories all over the world, medical practitioners and researchers have tested the effects of FIR on a wide range of conditions. These clinical cases reveal very promising results, suggesting that FIR therapy can be successfully used to accelerate healing, improve sleep patterns, alleviate depression, improve cardiovascular health, treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and help prevent atheroscleriosis.

These powerful rays are part of the electro-magnetic light spectrum, closest in frequency to natural sunlight. The advantage of far-infrared rays over sunlight is that they contain no harmful UV/UVB radiation.

FIR as an accelerant for wound healing

The Journal of Experimental Biology and Medicine published a study that explored the accelerating effects of FIR on wound healing. The study found that would healing was significantly more rapid when FIR treatment was administered, and that greater collagen regeneration was also noted.

Another study, published in Mycoses Journal, found that far infrared therapy could be used successfully to treat sporotrichosis, a long-term, chronic fungal skin infection.

Far infrared therapy as a sleep regulator

The International Journal of Biometeorology published a study that explored the effects of FIR on sleep modulation. Testing FIR on rats and later on an insomniac patient, FIR therapy was found to enhance blood circulation and sleep patterns. The effects were recorded to be triggered by an exposure to far-infrared rays, which induced an increase in the temperature of the body tissues and an elevated motility of body fluids. A total of 542 subjects reported an improvement in their health.

FIR as a treatment for depression

In an issue of Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Behavioral Medicine, a study explored the effects of FIR on mildly depressed patients. Twenty-eight in-patients with mild depression, general fatigue and appetite loss were treated for a total of 45 minutes per day, with an improvement noted after four weeks. The findings suggested that repeated thermal therapy may be useful for mildly depressed patients.

FIR as a treatment for cardiovascular disease

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers sought to determine whether FIR improved endothelial function (blood flow) in patients with coronary risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking. The study found that FIR treatment improved vascular endothelial function among patients with coronary (atherosclerosis) risk factors.
Another study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology and Medicine looked at FIR as a way to induce systemic vasodilation (decreased blood pressure). Results suggested that FIR (at 60°C for 15 min) improved cardiac function and vascular endothelial function in patients with congestive heart failure. Interestingly, this study also noted a weight-loss and body-fat loss effect, further compounding the positive effects of treatment.

Far infrared therapy as a treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A 2005 study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research explored the use of FIR as a treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Two patients who had been treated unsuccessfully with prednisolone (PSL), a corticosteroid used in the treatment of inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, were subjected to FIR therapy once a day for 35 consecutive days. They were then treated twice a week for one year. Both patients reported a dramatic improvement in symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and low-grade fever, with no relapse during the first year of discharge.

The remarkable results of these studies and many others like them being reported around the world further confirm the broad healing properties of FIR therapy. For many patients, even those with hard-to-treat and resistant symptoms, regular far infrared therapy treatment can provide relief and remission.

Learn more about the powerful FIR technology delivered by BioMat products.