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What is infrared energy?

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• The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into three segments by wavelength, which is measured in microns (1/1,000,000 of a meter).

1. 0.76 to 1.5 microns = near infrared

2. 1.5 to 5.6 microns = middle infrared

3. 5.6 to 1000 microns = far infrared

                  

• This wavelength of light warms objects without warming the air between the source and the object (known as conversion).  
  

• This radiant heat can also be called Infrared Energy (IR).
  

• Do not confuse this with UV radiation (sunburn) or atomic radiation (nuclear) - see the diagram above for where these types of light fall on the spectrum.
  

• Infrared waves are not visible to human eyes but can be seen by special instruments that translate infrared into colors that are visible to our eyes.  
  

• The best example is the sun (80% of  the sun’s rays are infrared).  
  

• Our atmosphere allows infrared rays in the 7 to 14 micron range to safely reach the earth’s surface.  
  

• When warmed, the earth radiates infrared rays with its peak output at 10 microns.  
  

• The human body radiates infrared energy out through the skin at 3 to50 microns, with most around 9.4 microns.

How does an infrared sauna work?

                                                   What is the theory behind these saunas?

• Far infrared sauna therapy is said to duplicate the healthy frequencies of our own cells.  The tissues are purported to selectively absorb these rays as the water in the cell reacts in a process called “resonant absorption”.   
  

• This resonant absorption is said to occur when the frequency of the far infrared matches the frequency of the water in the cell.  This causes toxins from the cells to be put out into the blood stream and excreted in sweat, feces, and urine.  
  

• Proponents of this therapy state that our tissues which are undergoing the healing process may need a boost of infrared to ensure the fullest healing response.
  

• Far infrared is claimed to penetrate the body’s tissues to a depth of 1.5 to 3 inches.
  

• Due to the supposed deep penetration of infrared rays, a heating effect is observed deep in the muscular tissues and even into the internal organs.  
  

• This “deep heating,” along with sweating, is thought to be responsible for the healing effects and the other health benefits associated with these infrared rays.