Infrared Heating Pad, Far Infrared Heating Pad, Heating Pad For The Back

Electric Heating Pads vs. Infrared Heating Pads: What’s the Difference?

Most people have used an electric heating pad to help ease pain and stiff muscles and joints. While they can feel great while you’re actively using them, the therapy seems to end as soon as you stop. This is because their warmth only penetrates 2 to 3 millimeters, basically only heating the skin. It never penetrates deep into the affected tissues, muscles or organs. Any relief the user experiences disappears the moment the pad is turned off or taken away.

Electric heating pads additionally create an electromagnetic field (EMF), emitting potentially harmful radiation. Geriatric users, users with sensitive or weakened skin tissues and users who have trouble identifying or sensing hot or cold feelings may also burn their skin using electric heating pads. This danger can also affect any user, especially if he or she falls asleep with the pad left on, or uses the pad for extended periods of time at too high of a heat setting.

Unlike their electric counterparts, infrared heating pads emit no radiation whatsoever. As infrared rays are part of the sun’s invisible spectrum, far infrared technology has been able to harness these invisible rays, creating an incredibly safe and effective solution for healing and pain relief. The body’s tissues are gently and uniformly heated through their absorption of the infrared thermal energy. The body reacts naturally to this increased temperature by attempting to maintain homeostasis, a balanced state of equilibrium. Circulation is stimulated and blood flows more quickly to the affected or damaged tissues.

FIR heating therapy penetrates through the skin 10 times deeper than electric heating pads, typically using specialized carbon fibers to emit the infrared rays. As the light waves penetrate the skin’s surface, they change from light energy into heat energy. Not only do FIR heating pads relieve pain more effectively, but they actually help speed healing of the injured or affected areas. Far infrared heating helps to activate healthy bodily functions, encouraging and supporting wellness on every level.

Infrared heating pads are extremely safe and will never cause burns for anyone. While they do induce gentle heat that penetrates deeply into the body, they do not significantly raise the body’s core temperature, nor do they raise blood pressure, making them wonderfully safe for every unique user, even those with cardiovascular issues. FIR therapies are so safe they are often employed in neo-natal units as well.

The Benefits of Infrared Heating Pads

Capturing the most beneficial aspects of natural sunlight, infrared heating pads directly correlate to the far infrared energy naturally found in all living things, including the human body. Our bodies constantly fluctuate this energy and when it is high, we feel strong and healthy. When our far infrared energy starts to wane, we tend to age more quickly and become more subjective to disease and illness.

Far infrared heating therapies offer an absolute cornucopia of physical, mental and emotional health benefits. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports the following health benefits of FIR therapy: reduction of arthritis pain, long lasting pain relief, increase of blood circulation, improvement in range of motion, removal of toxins from the body, and the promotion of stress relief and enhanced relaxation.

Because this therapy uses heat generated by waves of energy from the far end of the infrared spectrum, this natural low energy therapy is safe, gentle yet highly effective for the treatment of a wide range of health issues that include muscle pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, joint stiffness and sports injuries. It can be used before or after workouts or athletic endeavors to help prevent stiffness and injuries, and it can be used after surgery and on post-op injuries to speed healing and provide non-invasive pain relief.

FIR therapy has also been shown to improve lymphatic flow and to strengthen and balance the immune system. It can help the body to detoxify by removing toxins through perspiration, and helps the cells to regenerate, enhancing healthy cellular growth. Because FIR helps to expand the capillaries, this aids in oxygenation, often resulting in the reduction of respiratory issues and lung/sinus congestion. This specialized heat therapy helps to eliminate chemicals, fats, carcinogenic heavy metals, lactic acid, free fatty acids, excess sodium, uric acid and subcutaneous fat.

The photons emitted through the process of FIR therapy help to release enzymes, which in turn stimulate healthy macrophage actions that eliminate diseased and damaged tissues. Connective tissues become suppler and more flexible with far infrared therapy. FIR has even been demonstrated to boost metabolism. Furthermore, this fascinating alternative therapy increases endorphin levels, bringing enhanced peace of mind to its users.

Rehabmart is delighted to offer a wonderful assortment of infrared heating pads from superior quality manufacturers that include Thermotex and Venture Heat Therapy.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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