What is Infrared Therapy?
Infrared therapy is an effective light-based treatment to dissolve pain and inflammation in various parts of the body. Unlike ultraviolet light, which can damage the skin, infrared light from Infrared Lasers enhances cell regeneration and cellular energy in the form of ATP.
Infrared light is often delivered from LEDs or SLDs for home use and yet it was not until very recently that this form of therapy was available to home users in truly effective power levels such as 10 and 12.5 Watts. However, this recently changed with the development of a new super powerful Health Scanner that combines both Infrared Light therapy and Red Light Therapy at the highest power level ever made available to the public in an affordable new product called the UltraBright Health Scanner.
Until recently, Infrared Therapy has been best delivered via Cold Lasers in the Class 3b category for home use and pro use, however many talented practitioners are also starting to frequently use Class 4 Lasers to banish pain and accelerate healing at top speeds due to much higher power levels typically around 15-30 Watts. Class 4 Lasers are used almost exclusively by health practitioners and veterinarians.
Infrared therapy is most effective when it is delivered via true laser to the site of injury or inflammation at specific wavelengths such as the highly preferred 810nm (class 3b & 4), 904nm Super Pulsed Laser and 980nm Class 4 Laser. Infrared is known for providing the deepest penetration to target tissues in what is called the hard tissue category. It promotes deep healing pain relief and cellular repair at the 2 to 4 inch penetration levels for deep pain relief. Most affecting the hard tissues of the body such as bones, joints, tendons ligaments, spine, vertebrae, teeth and jaw.
The key characteristic of infrared light is its ability to penetrate even the deep layers of the skin, providing better pain relief as it delivers osteoblasts, fibroblasts and supports the natural growth of cartilage. Infrared light is safe, natural, non-invasive, and painless. Thus it may be able to provide a broad range of health benefits.
Understanding the Different Wavelengths:
• 600nm to 660nm is the red laser wavelength, which is form most commonly used in what is called Red Light Therapy. Red Light is best for shallower treatments up to ½” and for neurological applications and the reduction of inflammation. Commonly used in cosmetic and skin care lasers as it also increases the natural production of elastin. Good for treating skin, wrinkles, wounds, burns, acne, small joints, lymphatic tissue, acupoint therapy and other shallow areas. Much of the energy from red laser light is absorbed by the blood flowing throughout the body, which can distribute benefits further away and over time may created a beneficial cascading effect. This activates and supports healing in different problem areas.
• 800nm to 860nm is considered the sweet spot for combining maximum penetration, depth and a positive photo-chemical reaction. European laser specialists such as Dr. Weber and Dr Hamblin promote 810nm as the optimum wavelength because it is said to produce the maximum interaction with the mitochondria, which is the powerhouse of the cell and responsible for converting the photonic energy from the laser into ATP.
• 900nm to 1080nm is very popular in super pulsed lasers and class 4 lasers, with 904-910nm being the standard for all super pulsing lasers. 980nm has previously become the standard for many class 4 laser systems. At 980nm, much of the energy is converted to heat and absorbed by the water in the tissue so it is less efficient than 810nm at creating photobiomodulation. However, many class 4 lasers make up for the inefficiency with the delivery of more power and faster pain relief.
Understanding the difference between Near Infrared and Far Infrared
People often ask what is the difference between the two? There is a very important distinction between them. Near Infrared (NIR) Laser Light Therapy is the type that we have been discussing in this article. It comes from Laser and LED/SLD light based treatments. Whereas Far Infrared (FAR) Therapy typically comes from heat such as what you experience in an Infrared Sauna or from heat based therapy lamps. Near IR stimulates ATP production within the cells. They both help to reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation. Certain forms of Infrared Light Therapy as discussed earlier offer superior forms of pain relief and accelerated healing.
Depending upon your needs and budget you might want to consider getting an Infrared Light Therapy device for home use and/or pro use, and for top level practitioners we offer Class 4 Lasers with all the bells and whistles at highly competitive and affordable prices.
To summarize Infrared Light Therapy comes from Class 1 through Class 4 lasers and is also delivered from LEDs or SLDs for home use and yet it was not until very recently that this form of therapy was available to home users in truly effective power levels such as 10 and 12.5 Watts. Check out the new super powerful Health Scanner that combines both Infrared Light therapy and Red Light Therapy at the highest power level ever made available to the public in an affordable new product called the UltraBright Health Scanner. Practitioners are also getting these units to lend to their patients for use after surgery and to support healing and regeneration between doctor visits.