Infrared Therapy for Back Pain

Who in this country doesn’t suffer from occasional or chronic back pain? Some doctors estimate it affects about 80% of the population, or 65 million Americans. And it is the second most common reason people visit the doctor. Wouldn’t it be great if there were an easy, effective way to treat it? There just may be – and it comes in the form of far infrared ray (FIR) therapy such as that provided by a FIT Bodywrap®.

About Back Pain

Usually, when someone complains of a backache, it’s due to an injury of the muscles and/or joints that support the back. Sometimes it is inflamed tissues around the spine, the cells themselves lacking sufficient oxygen, or poor circulation that is to blame for cramps and spasms. Back pain has many causes and many symptoms.

How Infrared Works

Far-infrared or radiant heat (FIR) is part of the spectrum of frequencies/colors found in sunlight. It is a safe form of energy that heats objects by a process called direct light conversion. It can’t be seen, but it is relaxing, deep heating effect can certainly be felt. Often, doctors recommend using a heat pad to relieve pain from a backache. Immersive infrared heat is much more effective because it actually penetrates the skin, rather than just supplying relief topically. The Far IR energy emitted by FIT Bodywrap® (between 5 – 15 microns in the far infrared band) is tuned to match so closely to the human body’s radiant energy that the body absorbs 93% of the waves that reach the skin (Ciccolella, 1972). That deep penetrating effect can then do an excellent job of getting to the root of back pain.

Using Infrared Therapy on the Back

Far infrared is used by medical doctors, chiropractors, physical and massage therapists and acupuncturists in the treatment of arthritis, joint pain, stiff muscles, and injuries to tendons and ligaments. All of these conditions are often the cause, or a symptom of, back pain, muscle soreness and spasms. Infrared waves penetrate the body to create heat that often results in immediate therapeutic benefits through increased blood flow and tissue oxygenation that provides more energy to heal. A study by Matsushita et al. (2008) found that chronic pain patients experienced a significant reduction in pain levels (nearly 70%) after the first session of infrared therapy. Pain experience also decreased significantly and remained low throughout the observation period. Pain, especially in the back and spine, may be relieved via the reduction of attendant or secondary spasms. Pain is also at times related to ischemia (lack of blood supply) due to tension or spasm that can be improved by the hyperthermia that heat-induced vasodilatation produces, thus breaking the feedback loop in which the ischemia leads to further spasm and then more pain. Infrared therapy can also help to decrease joint stiffness and increase blood flow. The resultant improved circulation helps inflammation and healing while decreasing pain. If you experience back pain, you know how long-lasting and debilitating it can be. You may want to try a FIT Bodywrap® session, which could provide immediate relief – after consulting with your doctor.

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