Self-care Essential: Far-Infrared Therapy | For Immunity, Beauty, Chronic Conditions

What is self-care? And why is it important?

Self-care is an act of caring for oneself, prioritising one’s mind and body wellness to achieve optimal happiness and health. The need for self care is getting more obvious recently. 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder^[1], with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic^[2]. Research has also shown a strong relationship between depression and physical health including chronic pain conditions^[3] and cardiovascular disease^[4].

While self-care is important and beneficial, some may feel that it is a luxury they just simply do not have time for. Incorporating self-care into their daily routine can seem daunting or even impossible amidst their busy schedules. Others may view practising self-care as selfish because all that extra time and energy could be devoted to their loved ones. However, we need to be aware that we are only human, and you cannot pour out of an empty cup. Taking some time to care for yourself will allow you to care for your loved ones better.

Self-care does not need a lot of time or cost — it’s just doing things you enjoy. It can be as easy as stepping outside and taking a breather or indulging yourself with a good massage or spa session. Far-infrared therapy technology available at Oriental Remedies Group is one simple add-on to your self-care regime. The hothouse domes or far-infrared heating pads which radiate therapeutic heat by penetrating through your skin are able to make one feel more relaxed and calmed. Many patients have also chosen to include this regime together with their acupuncture treatments, as it promotes blood circulation and complements their treatment in alleviating various pain conditions.

 

What is Far-Infrared (FIR) therapy?

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Far-infrared therapy uses invisible far infrared rays (FIR) found in the solar spectrum to provide health benefits to the body. FIR penetrates past the skin and our insulation fatty layer, enabling multiple forms of energy to be transferred into the subcutaneous tissue (approximately 2–3 cm deep) without stimulation or excessive heating^[5]. In other words, FIR is able to penetrate deep through the layers of the skin, to the muscles and bones where it then resonates with the cells and invigorates them without causing injury or infection.

 

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Various studies have shown that FIR radiation produces thermal and non-thermal effects, such as increasing artery blood flow^[6] and peripheral blood circulation^[7] via dilation of blood vessels^[8], hence it does not increase blood pressure. FIR radiation also helps in alleviating fatigue^[9] and pain^[10], as well as increases expression of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in hair and skin^[11] . Besides that, FIR increases the body’s core temperature, which then helps in immune cell growth and activity by stimulating the mitochondria^[12].

Key benefits of FIR therapy^[13]

• Improves circulation
• Improves cellular health
• Deep detox
• Relieves pain
• Reduces stress
• Boosts immunity
• Smoother skin
• Strengthens hair

Patient trying out Far-Infrared Therapy at Oriental Remedies Group

 

Featured above, the Far-Infrared Dome (HotHouse) radiates a gentle, invisible, healing frequency that deeply penetrates and slightly elevates body temperature. The resulting stimulation synergizes with the body’s own heat generation and internal processes, providing benefits that have been found helpful for many health conditions and overall well being.

At Oriental Remedies Group, FIR therapy is administered using different devices according to the patients’ need and the physician’s treatment plan. There are a few devices to choose from, which are the Far-Infrared Lamp, Far-Infrared Heating Pad and Far-Infrared Dome (HotHouse). The FIR-lamp involves shining of the lamp directly to the targeted body area, whereas the Hothouse encompasses larger surface area and it works by covering over the body parts. The FIR-heating pad, on the other hand, allows the FIR rays to penetrate through the whole body just by lying on the heating pad itself.

 

Why is Far-Infrared therapy essential for self-care?

1. Far-Infrared provides the physical body with great benefits:

• • Promotes the body’s natural healing processes. FIR enhances blood circulation which enables oxygen and nutrients to be transported efficiently to injured tissues, this aids in healing. The therapy also relieves nervous tension and relaxes auto-neuro muscles which enhances the body’s healing ability.
  • Relieves body soreness, inflammation and muscle spasms.
  • Speeds up the recovery process from a muscle injury. FIR improves cell metabolism through the action of mitochondria^[14], triggering the growth and repair of muscle cells and tissues.

2. Far-Infrared promotes mental health and emotions:
   

• • Soothes the body’s tension and mental stress. FIR reduces the amount of cortisol level in the body, enabling the parasympathetic nervous system (relax mechanism) to kick in and eases the body’s stress response^[15].
  • Optimises sleep cycle. FIR is clinically proven on increasing melatonin output which improves the sleep quality and duration^[16].

3. Far-Infrared has beneficial effects on chronic conditions and immunity:
   

• • Boosts immunity. FIR upregulates the production of white blood cells (leukocytes) and killer T-cells at the bone marrow and thymus respectively^[17].
  • Promotes cardiovascular health. Increase in nitric oxide (NO) production helps to maintain healthy blood vessels and prevent blood clotting/clumping. NO also helps to prevent oxidative stress and regulate blood pressure^[18].
  • Potentially viable cancer support therapy. FIR activates nanoparticles, rendering them highly toxic to the surrounding cancer cells. One such modality is photoimmunotherapy, where conjugated antibody-photo absorber complexes are used to bind with cancer cells^[19].

4. Far-Infrared helps in detoxification and beauty:
   

• • Promotes skin radiance and clarity. FIR activates the sebaceous glands to eliminate accumulated cosmetics in pores through the skin.
  • Aids in scar healing and anti-aging. FIR supports cell repairing and rejuvenation through up-regulated DNA and protein synthesis. It also enhances collagen production, which helps to soften/lessen wrinkles^[20].
  • Strengthens hair. FIR increases expression of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in hair and skin^[11].
  • Promotes detoxification. Scientists in Japan report that FIR treatment unclogs the capillary vessels and initiates the dissolution of hidden toxins^[21].

Your healing is the most important!

Far-Infrared Therapy is a new and innovative light-based method to treat pain and inflammation in various parts of the body. It is a safe, natural, non-invasive and painless therapy. If you’re interested to find out more about Far-Infrared and how it can improve your overall wellness, feel free to approach any of our friendly clinic staff for assistance or call/Whatsapp our consultants at +65 8742 2163.

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This article is written by Physician Jesslyn Poh (Oriental Remedies Group, Singapore), a registered TCM physician certified by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB).