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Adequate exposure to far infrared (FIR) rays is claimed to promote healing by energising and rejuvenating the cells, improving blood circulation, and increasing metabolic rate. I HAVE written about the various forms of energy and energy therapies. Qi is the most basic but most comprehensive and powerful energy that gives and sustains life, and it heals. It is therefore appropriately called “life force”. Although qi has not and cannot be fully analysed, some of its properties have been detected, and these include infrared and infrasound waves. Infrared waves or rays have long been known to be good for healing. Some of you may have used the infrared lamps to help heal relieve sore joints or muscle pains. Infrared lamps are helpful for any wound healing, including infected wounds, as no touching is necessary. It is also useful for skin rejuvenation, as the infrared rays are known to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, which in turn make the skin firmer and younger. Far, medium and near infrared rays If we know the science behind infrared rays, it can be more useful. The usual infrared lamps actually emit all three types of infrared energy – far, medium and near. The near and medium infrared rays induce more heat and can burn, though they are much less harmful than ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB). So to avoid burns, you must limit your exposure at each session. It is better and safer if you use a far infrared (FIR) lamp. The far infrared red rays (wavelength 4-14 microns) are much safer, and have better healing effects on our cells. Modern technology also allows us to actually produce far infrared rays without the harmful near and medium rays. Thus you can have longer therapy sessions, and benefit more. Adequate exposure to far infrared rays is claimed to promote healing by energising and rejuvenating the cells, improving blood circulation, and increasing metabolic rate. The far infrared rays are usually produced by using a specially treated ceramic that becomes a semiconductor when current is passed through it. This is then incorporated into various health therapy instruments, including FIR saunas. The far infrared sauna The traditional sauna relies solely on heat to induce sweating, increase metabolism, and improve circulation as a way to detox, and promote health and healing. The benefit of profuse sweating for detoxification has been very much underestimated. The body excretes certain wastes preferentially, and some exclusively, through certain routes. And some of these toxins can only be effectively removed through sweating. You don’t have to torture yourself in a hot sauna to achieve the same benefits. The far infrared sauna will induce similar beneficial body changes without the uncomfortable hotness. You can relax and still sweat profusely and benefit from the detoxification effect, and will of course lose some weight from water loss. However, the increased metabolism also means more energy is burnt and some of the weight loss is real fat loss. Just like doing aerobics exercise, the increased calorie-burning continues for some time after the session, and if done regularly, can be an effective way to lose weight. By having an “exercise-like” effect, regular use of the far infrared sauna is also claimed to help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The profuse sweating detoxifies the body, and is a good way to get rid of uric acid and prevent or get relief from gouty arthritis. This will be further enhanced by drinking plenty of water, and eating plenty of alkaline food (most green vegetables, sprouts and some fruits). I must emphasise that sitting in the infrared sauna is not a substitute to actual exercise, which actually strengthens the heart and improves lung health through actual physical effort requiring increased oxygen consumption. However, it is a worthwhile addition to exercise, and certainly is recommended for those who are too lazy to exercise and would otherwise not have anything to cause sweating, calorie-burning, and improved blood circulation! Micro-clustered water I have also written about the various types of healthy and healing water, and one of the important properties of water is the molecular size. Small water molecules or “micro-clusters” means the water has better dissolving, cleansing and healing power. Our body water has that property, but as we age and consume unhealthy water, our body contains less and less of this healthy water. Healthy or micro-clustered water can reduce the thickness of our blood and stickiness of our red blood cells, and thus improve circulation, and delivery of nutrients and oxygen to all our cells and organs. This can be demonstrated by drinking a glass of micro-clustered water and having a before and after blood examination under high-power microscopy (“live blood analysis”). Far infrared rays have the ability to change water to become micro-clustered, provided you expose the water sufficiently. This can be done by dropping the specially-treated FIR-emitting ceramic disc directly into the water container. If you are exposed to FIR through FIR lamps or sauna, then the water in your body will be directly changed to micro-clusters, as the FIR rays can penetrate your skin and influence the superficial tissues, and the blood circulating in the superficial capillaries and larger blood vessels. Of course, it will take many sessions and many hours of exposure to convert most of your body water to micro-clusters. It will certainly help if you also drink micro-clustered water all the time. So now you have another method to help you detox and become healthier in the future. As we celebrate the coming of another year, I wish all readers a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic medicine and has been teaching qi gong for more than 10 years. You can e-mail him at
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The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information. |
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