Should you try infrared heat therapy for health care?

According to experts, infrared light therapy shows potential in relieving chronic pain, improving mobility and boosting mental health .

According to National Geographic, infrared heat is making waves as a popular heating method for saunas and fitness classes in the US, promising benefits ranging from easing chronic pain to reducing stress.

A woman sits in an infrared sauna - which uses light to create heat instead of electric heaters or steam - in New York City (US). (Source: National Geographic).

Unlike traditional heating systems that warm the air, infrared technology uses electromagnetic waves to directly heat objects, such as the body and floors, creating a more 'subtle' and penetrating warmth.

Brooke Alexandra, Pilates instructor and owner of Reforming Foundations Pilates and Wellness in Michigan, first tried infrared heating when she began using an infrared sauna to help treat her Lyme disease symptoms.

'I started doing gentle Pilates in the sauna and found it improved my mobility and joints,' she says .

She has since incorporated infrared heating into her Pilates classes and says her students have seen improvements in sleep, energy, clarity and focus, and reduced joint pain.

Some studies show that infrared light can have real health benefits when used properly. Here's what you need to know about infrared light therapy:

What is infrared heat?

Infrared light comes in three wavelengths: far, medium, and near. Some infrared saunas have all three wavelengths, but regardless of the type, infrared heaters emit electromagnetic waves that travel through the air and heat objects, including our bodies.

Near infrared light is often used for medical purposes such as wound healing and skin treatments. Far infrared, most commonly used in saunas and Pilates and yoga classes, can penetrate the skin up to 1.5 inches (3.8cm), according to Pavan Tankha, medical director of the Comprehensive Pain Rehabilitation Program at the Cleveland Clinic.

This deeper penetration ability suggests that far infrared light not only heats the body, but can also affect immune cells and other structures deep within the body.

Current science shows that low-level infrared heat therapy — like the kind you find in a sauna or exercise class — doesn't cause serious harm.

How is infrared light used in medicine and research?

Infrared light is not only a wellness trend but is also used in a variety of medical applications, with growing evidence showing the health benefits of this therapy.

Several randomized controlled trials have shown that red and near-infrared light can help hair grow or heal wounds faster, says David Ozog, MD, chair of dermatology at Henry Ford Health. Infrared heat also helps with relaxation, muscle recovery, and even some cardiovascular benefits.

The science behind this lies in how the body responds to heat. Robert Griffin, a professor at the Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, says that when any part of our body is heated, blood flow increases, helping to deliver nutrients and oxygen. Immune function also increases when you raise your body temperature.

Infrared light is used in a variety of medical applications. (Source: National Geographic),

'Research in thermomedicine shows that if you heat the whole body by a degree or two, you can boost immunity, because it's like inducing a fever,' he says.

Infrared heat also shows promise in treating mental health. A recent study found that infrared saunas significantly reduced symptoms of depression.

Depression is associated with higher body temperature, and infrared saunas induce sweating, which helps the body cool down better, said Ashley Mason, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco and author of the study.

However, Tankha says it's too early to make definitive claims about the benefits of infrared saunas for treating chronic pain. 'Research and treatments show promise, but there's a lack of really rigorous evidence,' he says.

Should you try infrared heat therapy?

Infrared saunas and exercise classes that use heat are generally safe for most people. However, it's best to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment, especially if you're pregnant or prone to dehydration.

It is important to remember that results from scientific studies may not be the same in degree, as factors such as temperature and time can vary.

'It's not completely accurate,' says Griffin, 'so even if you go to an infrared sauna, you don't know how much heat you're actually absorbing . '