What is Infrared heat?
Infrared heat is a totally natural phenomenon, it is actually a wavelength of light that forms part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum which also includes visible light and ultraviolet, all of which are emitted by the sun. Infrared light is outside of the visible light spectrum and therefore invisible to the human eye. However, infrared light is felt by the body as heat as this specific spectrum of energy imparts a much greater amount of heat onto the object it hits than other frequencies. This is why infrared is known as radiant heat, because it can impart its energy to an object without having to first warm the air around it. The actual frequency range of infrared light emitted by an object is dependant upon its surface temperature. The level of infrared heat being emitted by an object such as a human body can be seen with the aid of an infrared camera that registers light in this frequency range and converts it to colours that we can see.
The Infrared spectrum is split into 3 sections. Some use the terms near, medium and far infrared or short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave infrared. More widely accepted within scientific circles are the terms infrared A, B and C. In accordance with Planck's Law of Physics, the surface temperature of an object is the key determining factor for the distribution of A, B and C infrared radiation. An object with a surface temperature of less than 300° Celsius radiates almost pure C infrared radiation. Much higher temperatures are required (over 1500° Celsius) to generate substantial proportions of infrared A.
Short-wave infrared A radiation is not used within standard infrared therapy saunas but it is used in specialist clinical situations. Respected Hyperthermia specialist Dr Ralf Kleef has studied the Physiotherm Principle and has recommended it for many years, for more information on his techniques visit www.hyperthermie.at. Infrared A radiation penetrates the skin in the region of 5 mm and in doing so bypasses the skin’s heat receptors. This results in the user losing their perception of warmth which can result in burning. For this reason, strict medical supervision is required to use this form of infrared heat.
Infrared C and B radiation penetrates less deeply into cells and does still stimulate the heat receptors. This means that in the Physiotherm infrared cabin you will feel the warmth and so can decide for yourself how much infrared is best for you.
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An example to illustrates this radiant heat effect is when you stand in the sunshine on a cold winters day, whilst the sun shines on your skin you benefit from its radiant warmth, however, this is lost as soon as a cloud covers the sun, although the air temperature is still the same.
Infrared heat should not be confused with ultraviolet light. UV radiation stimulates the skin to produce melanin for a sun tan, but can also cause severe damage to the skin with long term exposure that results in burning. IR heat does not have this same danger
How does Physiotherm Infrared therapy work?
The Physiotherm infrared system can deliver beneficial infrared heat to the body with the effect of gently and perfectly safely raising the core body temperature without imparting any strain on the body, thus delivering an effective whole body healing treatment without any discomfort what so ever. The secret to the effectiveness of the Physiotherm Principle lies largely within patented design of the heaters which uses volcanic lava sand.
Volcanic Lava sand: amazing healing power from the Earth’s interior.
A particularly important feature of Physiotherm infrared technology is the ceramic heaters filled with lava sand. The amazing feature of the lava sand heaters is their ability to produce a significant warming effect within the body at even low temperatures which generates a very pleasant and soothing warmth.
Improved absorption of the infrared deep heat.
Volcanic lava sand is simply an outstanding thermal accumulator. It readily absorbs the heat produced by the infrared heater and emits it out to the body as gentle deep acting infrared warmth. This is why it is possible within a Physiotherm infrared cabin to sit closer and more comfortably to the infrared radiator which has the effect of allowing the body to absorb much more deep warmth which produces a greater result, more quickly and at more comfortable temperatures.
Close up on the Physiotherm Principle
The infrared heat emitted by the Physiotherm lava sand ceramic heaters is almost entirely infrared C, from a heater surface temperature of 300 - 320° Celsius with a small proportion of around 3% infrared B.
As you sit within the cabin with your back in line with the rear heater the first effect is that the cutaneous vessels in the warmed area of skin on the back start to expand. The increased circulation that results can be seen as an even spread of reddening skin, this is perfectly natural. The infrared warmth in this area is then absorbed by the blood and lymph fluid and then transported to deeper layers of tissue.
The warmth is then smoothly and rapidly distributed from the vertebral region of the back deeply into the centre of the body, so that the entire body, including the extremities, is warmed. This process of deeply warming infrared therapy is completely natural and feels very pleasant.
Since the body has a natural desire to maintain its core temperature at a constant of around 37° Celsius, the deep warming from the infrared activates the body’s regulatory mechanisms which work to distribute the increasing warmth to the surrounding areas especially the surface of the skin. The warmed blood circulates extensively throughout the layers of the skin, perspiration starts to form which then evaporates from the surface of the skin resulting in a cooling effect to counteract the increased warmth. During a 30 minute session, the core body temperature is generally increased by between 0.2 and 0.6° C, which is perfectly safe and does not require medical supervision ( for further info please refer to the medical study.).
Physiotherm low temperature infrared therapy sessions, have a cabin air temperature of approximately 35° C, which does not exert any significant strain on the cardiovascular system.
Scientifically researched and medically approved.
An international research team of medical scientists and specialist doctors has undertaken an in depth study upon the physiological effects of the Physiotherm low temperature infrared system in comparison with a "standard" infrared sauna.
The findings showed that regular sessions within a Physiotherm Far Infrared Sauna offers many positive physiological effects upon the human body, e.g.
- Immune system support
- Increased generation of natural pain-reducing brain chemicals
- Increased core body temperature
- Gentle cardiovascular system conditioning
- Gentle reduction in blood pressure
- Increased blood circulation to skin and tissue
- Increase in metabolism and improvement in vascularization
- Increased detoxification and cleansing
The data attained explains why the Physiotherm Principle can be of assistance with numerous kinds of disorders.
Please see a short summary of the scientific study here: Download study as pdf
Unique in the world.
For over a decade, Physiotherm has been unique in its ability to offer this unsurpassed technology, which is optimally attuned to the requirements of the human body. Over 300,000 satisfied users have already appreciated the health benefits.
