Self-care Essential: Far-Infrared Therapy | For Immunity, Beauty, Chronic Conditions
Physician Jesslyn Poh 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? Photo Source 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. Photo Source 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? i. 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. ii. 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]. iii. 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]. iv. 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
What is Far-Infrared Therapy (FIR) And What Does It Do?
What is Far-Infrared Therapy (FIR) And What Does It Do? Physician Foo Shan Ju Link copied! Far-Infrared Therapy involves the use of Far-Infrared Rays (FIR), which are invisible waves of energy that penetrate the surface of the skin to gently elevate the body’s surface temperature and promote body systems’ functions. Thermal therapy has in fact been in existence for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Finns, the Romans, the ancient Chinese, the American Indians and the Egyptians 5,000 years ago. Since ancient times, people have known that exposure to sunshine can maintain and enhance health. Sun therapy is a form of natural FIR thermal therapy and Far-Infrared Rays are the invisible rays of natural sunlight that have the longest wavelength. However, sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays which can burn the skin. As such, people started using pure Far-Infrared heat emitted from healing units, which has similar benefits as sun rays, minus the harmful UV rays. Benefits of Far-Infrared Technology For many decades, scientific evidence has found that heat can maintain and enhance the wellness of the human body. Scientists have researched different ways on how to develop more effective forms of thermal heat therapy that target specific areas and enable deep heat penetration. Traditional forms of heat therapy can be hazardous, uncomfortable, unhygienic, inefficient and ineffective. Traditional saunas create exposure to extremely high temperatures causing heat stress which can have detrimental effects on health, especially for people with heart challenges or needing to sustain blood pressure. Thermal compression and wraps are uncomfortable, heat is easily lost, temperature does not remain constant and maintaining a thermal compression or wrap can be problematic and inconvenient. Research and development in the sixties – notably most extensively in Japan and also Germany – introduced the Far-Infrared Ray (FIR) thermal technology. This revolutionized thermal technology to an effective, safe, natural, hygienic and efficient approach to thermal treatment. Today, heat therapy is used internationally by medical professionals for relief of sports injuries, detox, and even in hospital nurseries to warm newborns. While more large-scale research needs to be done to prove the benefits of Far-Infrared Therapy, here are some potential benefits from existing research and patient testimonials. 1) Improve blood circulation Far-Infrared expands capillaries which stimulate increased blood flow, regeneration, circulation and oxygen delivery. [1] Good blood circulation is essential for healthy organ and tissue function. 2) Strengthens cardiovascular system Far-Infrared can strengthen the cardiovascular system by causing heart rate and cardiac output increase, and diastolic blood pressure decrease – research by NASA in the early 1980s led to the conclusion that far-infrared stimulation of cardiovascular function would be the ideal way to maintain cardiovascular conditioning in American astronauts during long space flight.[2] FIR’s warming properties have also been shown to help improve the ‘health’ of the cells that line our blood vessels[3], which if left untreated may increase the risk of heart disorders. 3) Improve detoxification Far-Infrared is excellent for detoxification and helps lymphatic drainage.[4] Scientists in Japan report that in the FIR treatment of clogged capillary vessels, heat expands the capillaries and then initiates the start of a process to dissolve hidden toxins.[4] Far-Infrared thereby promotes the elimination of fats, chemicals and toxins from the blood: poisons, heavy metals – carcinogenic substances from food processing – lactic acid, free fatty acids and subcutaneous fat associated with aging and fatigue – excess sodium associated with blood pressure – and uric acid.[5] 4) Wound healing Some recent good quality experimental and clinical scientific studies (2003) from Japan have shown FIR to result in more rapid wound healing which was independent of changes in blood flow and skin temperature.[6] FIR helped this healing by stimulating a group of cells called fibroblasts to make more collagen which is a very important part of good wound healing and tissue repair.[6] Furthermore, it supports cell growth, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis, all of which are crucial for tissue repair and regeneration. This makes FIR therapy excellent for healing burns, scar tissue and skin problems such as acne and skin breakouts. Its anti-oxidative properties also promote anti-aging and lessening/softening of wrinkles due to enhanced collagen production.[6] 5) Relaxation and pain/aches management FIR relaxes auto-neuro muscles which help the body make the most of its intended healing abilities. FIR reduces soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms by warming muscle fibers. As a result, rapid reduction of swelling, inflammation, and pain occurs. This allows for relaxation of muscles and relief of back, shoulder, and neck muscle aches.[7] FIR soothes tension and stress in both body and mind.[7] 6) Immunity boosting Far-Infrared strengthens and supports the Immune system by supporting increased production of white blood cells (leukocytes) by the bone marrow and killer T-cells by the thymus.[8] 7) Cancer support Far-Infrared Thermal Therapy, also known as Hyperthermia, supports the destruction of malignant cells which supposedly cannot survive if the temperature of the cell becomes 107.6F/42C and above.[9] FIR is used extensively in Asia and Europe – especially Japan and Germany – but is only fairly recently researched and utilized within the USA, acknowledged and attested to by the American Cancer Association and the National Cancer Institute on their respective websites. Your healing is the most important! At Oriental Remedies Group, most of our physicians are trained in both Biomedical Science and TCM at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and China for a minimum of 5-8 years before being certified to practice in Singapore. If you would like to learn more about FIR Therapy and how it can boost your overall wellness, visit FIR Treatment Page or contact us at +65 8087 0486 for a personalized consultation. This article is written by Physician Foo Shan Ju. Physician Foo Shan Ju (Oriental Remedies Group, Singapore), a registered TCM physician certified by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB). Foo Shan Ju PHYSICIAN VIEW QUALIFICATIONS Physician Foo graduated from the double degree programme of Biomedical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine at NTU and was awarded the Nanyang and BUCM Scholarship for
