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Today we have some great tips on how to use an infrared heat lamp for inflammatory pain!
A few months ago, we shared a post about some really great non-medicinal pain management options. One of the ideas was infrared heat.
Since this post was just an overview, I thought it would be a good idea to go into some detail for you.
I got this infrared heat lamp for Christmas, and I have been loving it!
How To Use An Infrared Heat Lamp For Inflammatory Pain
Last year, my massage therapist started using an infrared heat lamp on my elbow during a massage. I couldn’t believe how great I felt when I would leave a session. The heat would help my rheumatoid arthritic pain and inflammation in my elbow, and I would feel so great the rest of the day.
I decided to do some research on this, and I knew it was something I needed to get for my house too.
What Is Infrared Heat?
Infrared (IR) heat is the heat you feel from the sun, but without the harmful UV rays. Infrared heat transmit light waves (IR rays) into your body, and it penetrates all the way to your bones. To be honest with you, it is a complicated process when you talk about IR . I learned about it in a class called instrumental analysis in college. We used IR spectroscopy to determine what chemical compounds were found in a solution. In the instrumental analysis class, we learned how these machines actually worked. It is very complicated when you get down to the science. Here is some more about that.
The quick science behind it is these IR heat lamps emit infrared light waves that reach your muscles, bones, nerves, and everything else under the skin.
How Does Infrared Heat Help Inflammation?
The infrared wavelengths improve circulation. This blood flow works to heal and relieve pain in the targeted area. This is how the body heals itself. By using the IR heat bulb, you intensify this effect drastically. Increased circulation helps heal injuries and wounds, so by increasing circulation through IR, the body targets that area.
Benefits of an infrared heat lamp include treating skin issues, nerve pain, muscle pain, joint inflammation, wound healing, and more.
How Do You Use Infrared Heat For Pain?
Most manufacturers recommend 10-15 minute sessions a time a few times a day. There is no benefit to doing it longer than that, so don’t do it longer than 15 minutes.
Set your infrared heat lamp about 2 feet from the joint or area you are targeting. Make sure to also pull your clothes away from the area, so the heat lamp can get to the skin easier.
What Type of Results Can You Get From Using Infrared Heat Therapy?
I noticed an immediate improvement in pain! Each time I use my infrared heat lamp, my joints feel great for at least a few hours after use. Most scientific studies show a continued improvement when you use it often.
In this study on chronic back pain, they conducted the research for 6 weeks total to get the full effect.
You can try this heat lamp everyday for a few weeks, then decrease to using it once per week.
What Infrared Device Should You Use?
There are many different types available, but I have been using this one. It sits on the nightstand safely, and it can be adjusted for different angles. It had the best reviews on Amazon, and it is just like the one my massage therapist was using.
I am very pleased with it! And it is more affordable than other ones.
Safety Tips
There are some safety tips you need to make sure to follow when it comes to using an infrared heat lamp.
- Make sure to protect your eyes and use safety goggles especially if you are pointing it anywhere around your eyes.
- Do not touch the lamp once it has been on, it gets very hot!
- Always turn off the lamp and unplug it after each use.
- Don’t let it get too close to fabrics or furniture, this is true with any lamps.
- Don’t let it get too close to your skin, keep it 18-24 inches away from skin surface.
Be sure to read the manufacturer instructions and safety tips for more details.
Precautions
While this is typically a safe method for anyone to try, please ask your doctor if you are using this for an injury or wound. A doctor needs to be the one to determine what the best therapy is for your situation. I am using this for rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation, so it is not for an injury.
When it comes to health issues, always talk to your doctor!
Let Us Know If You Try It!
Please let us know if you try it! We love hearing success stories. You can join us on instagram and use #chemistrycachet
Feel free to leave a comment below to 🙂
For more pain management tips, check out our category page here.
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
Hi! Thank you for the post on Infrared Light healing. Do you know anything about “far infrared” for healing? A friend of mine has a far infrared sauna. Is it helpful with pain too?
Again, thank you for the work you do.
Diane
From my research, near infrared, like this, is more helpful with pain. I only have experience using this type though and it has been such a life-saver for me!
At a distance of 18-24 inches from the body, approximately what temperature heat will the patient feel?
I have never measured the temperature. You can reach out to the manufacturer to see if they have that data, I am sure they have some numbers available for you 🙂
Hi Alexis,
I recently purchased 2 RubyLux 250 watt premium intense NIR-A bulbs along with the 10.5 heavy duty lamp holders. My goal in using these was not for detox or in a sauna but simply to use a few times a week to target my knees and ankles to alleviate muscle pain. As an added bonus I thought I’d try sitting in front of the bulbs at a distance for facial skin enhancement ( rather than pay for an expensive LED mask).
Before using, I started reading all the literature on FIR vs NIR and there are many articles which state prolonged use of intense NIR can cause skin damage ( including promoting the increase of wrinkles and darkening the brown spots on my face and body) as well as more serious carcinogenic impact on cells. I can’t seem to find any clinical info on the impact of using these bulbs in the manner and for the length of time I have described. Any assistance much appreciated. Thanks!
I have not heard anything about it causing skin damage. I was able to find one study on NIR and FIR here. Sorry I don’t have any more information to share
Thank you Alexis for your reply! I so appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions! Hugs!
Hi! I was wondering if an infrared space heater would provide similar benefits?
I use it to heat my room in the winter, but thought it would be great if it could help with joint pain!
It would need this type of red bulb with the appropriate watts to get the benefits to your skin and joints. I think most of the heaters don’t give off as much the lamps
How would my 150w infra red lamp compare to a BCure Laser or similar products – there is a very big price difference though these newer products may be easier to transport and use around the body.
B-Cure Lasers work with photon energy, so it is little different. I have never used one, so I can’t say for sure how well it works compared to IR red light