Benefits of Far Infrared For Blood Pressure
Benefits of Far-Infrared For Blood Pressure
Far-Infrared therapy has been gaining popularity due to a wide variety of health benefits. It is a form of heat therapy in which far infrared waves are administered to heat different areas of your body. These rays work wonders by penetrating the skin, gently elevating the temperature of your body’s surface to 38-39℃ (1), and positively activating different systems of your body. Hence, as compared to other thermal therapies, FIR therapy promotes overall health without any side effects.
How Far-Infrared Therapy Is Developed?
William Herschel first discovered the radiant heat far-infrared rays emit. In the 1960s, NASA researched the properties of far infrared rays. Considering FIR safe and beneficial, in the 1980s, NASA utilized FI light generators in the suits of astronauts to stimulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system in the absence of exercise opportunities.
Also, our bodies emit FIR energy. One of the sources of far-infrared energy is sunlight where you can enjoy the benefits of sunlight however it contains UV rays.
As far-infrared rays have many benefits for your body, scientists worked to find different ways to benefit from them.
To benefit from far-infrared rays, different products are available these days such as heat lamps that emit far-infrared rays or Ecomats that may combine different therapies such as detoxification, deep heat, ionisation, far-infrared, or PEMF.
Benefits of Far-Infrared for Blood Pressure:
Persistent increase in blood pressure above 140/9- mmHg, or Hypertension poses a great risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiac mortality. In October 2008, a Japanese study claimed the safety and effectiveness of far-infrared for blood pressure as compared to the standard therapies. Moreover, the far-infrared sauna is effective in preventing arteriosclerosis (3).
Far-infrared not only reduces blood pressure (4) but also address its underlying causes effectively and safely. The reason is that the infrared light spectrum works at the cellular level dilating the blood vessels which, in turn, lowers the blood pressure.
Moreover, far-infrared therapy has the following benefits that indirectly lowers blood pressure.
As obesity is considered a cause of high blood pressure, far infrared therapy lowers blood pressure by reducing extra weight.
Far-infrared relaxes the body, activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers cortisol level, and reduces blood pressure through vasodilation.
FIR increases blood flow, increasing the metabolic output of the body which improves blood circulation and muscle oxygenation. This mechanism is similar to that of exercise which helps in lowering blood pressure.
Another way far-infrared reduces blood pressure is by detoxification of the body from chemical additives and harmful toxins. The toxins from food create stress responses within the body which increases blood pressure. The heat from far-infrared produces sweat that detoxifies your body, in turn, achieves homeostasis reducing blood pressure.
Conclusion:
In short, far-infrared radiation has several benefits over traditional heat therapies. Some of the benefits include increasing peripheral blood circulation, artery blood flow, capillary dilation, reducing pain, fatigue, and blood pressure along with many other benefits. And as FIR is safe and effective, its implementation in different areas of life has been increasing day by day.
References:
Yu SY, Chiu JH, Yang SD, Hsu YC, Lui WY, Wu CW. Biological effect of far-infrared therapy on increasing skin microcirculation in rats. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2006; 22: 78–86. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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Dr. Masakazu Imamura, MD, et al. Repeated Thermal Therapy Improves Impaired Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients With Coronary Risk Factors. Vol. 38, No. 4, 2001. Journal of American College of Cardiology: pp 1083-1088.
Ryotokuji K, Ishimaru K, Kihara K, Namiki Y, Hozumi N. Effect of pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation on subcutaneous temperature and stress markers. Laser Ther 2013; 22: 93–93. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
