Clinical Studies on The Effects of Far Infra-red Rays

1. Clinical Effects of Far-infrared Therapy in patients with Allergic Rhinitis.

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2007;2007:1479-82.
PMID: 18002246 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, 32023 Taiwan, ROC. drhook@ms68.hinet.net

  • Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the sixth most common chronic illness worldwide, which has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. The actual cost of AR is staggering, approximately $5.6 billion being spent annually in direct medical costs and other indirect costs. Therefore, it should be taken seriously upon its evaluation and treatment. AR is an IgE-mediated inflammation, which symptoms are likely due to increased vascular permeability.
  • Current therapeutic options such as avoidance of allergen, medication and immunotherapy are unsatisfactory.
  • Far-infrared (FIR) is an invisible electromagnetic wave with a wavelength longer than that of visible light. It has been used to treat vascular diseases as a result of an increase in blood flow.
  • The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of FIR therapy in patients with AR. Thirty-one patients with AR were enrolled in this study. A WS TY101 FIR emitter was placed to face the patient’s nasal region at a distance of 30 cm. The treatment was performed for 40 min every morning for 7 days. Every day, patients recorded their symptoms in a diary before and during treatment. Each symptom of rhinitis was rated on a 4-point scale (0-3) according to severity. During the period of FIR therapy, the symptoms of eye itching, nasal itching, nasal stuffiness, rhinorrhea and sneezing were all significantly improved. Smell impairment was not improved until after the last treatment. No obvious adverse effect was observed in the patients during treatment and follow-up.
  • We concluded that FIR therapy could improve the symptoms of AR and might serve as a novel treatment modality for AR.

 

2. The Effects Inhibiting the Proliferation of Cancer Cells by Far-infrared Radiation (FIR) are controlled by the basal expression level of heat shock protein (HSP) 70A.

Med Oncol. 2008;25(2):229-37. Epub 2007 Oct 30.
PMID: 17968683 [PubMed – in process]

Ishibashi J, Yamashita K, Ishikawa T, Hosokawa H, Sumida K, Nagayama M, Kitamura S.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Anatomy, Medical Science for Oral and Maxillofacial Regeneration, Graduate School of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.

  • We developed a tissue culture incubator that can continuously irradiate cells with far-infrared radiation (FIR) of wavelengths between 4 and 20 microm with a peak of 7-12 microm, and found that FIR caused different inhibiting effects to five human cancer cell lines, namely A431 (vulva), HSC3 (tongue), Sa3 (gingiva), A549 (lung), and MCF7 (breast). Then, in order to make clear the control system for the effect of FIR, the gene expression concerned to the inhibition effect by FIR were analyzed. In consequence, basal expression level of HSP70A mRNA was higher in A431 and MCF7 cells than in the FIR-sensitive HSC3, Sa3, and A549 cells. Also, the over expression of HSP70 inhibited FIR-induced growth arrest in HSC3 cells, and an HSP70 siRNA inhibited the proliferation of A431 cells by irradiation with FIR.
  • These results indicate that the effect of a body temperature range of FIR suppressing the proliferation of some cancer cells is controlled by the basal expression level of heat shock protein (HSP) 70A.
  • This finding suggested that FIR should be very effective medical treatment for some cancer cells which have a low level of HSP70. Still more, if the level of HSP70 in any cancer of a patient was measured, the effect of medical treatment by FIR can be foreseen for the cancer.

PMCID: PMC2386844

 

3. Far-infrared therapy: A Novel Treatment to Improve Access Blood Flow and Unassisted Patency of Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis patients.

Lin CC, Chang CF, Lai MY, Chen TW, Lee PC, Yang WC.

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Mar;18(3):985-92. Epub 2007 Jan 31.
PMID: 17267744 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Division of Nephrology, Institute of Clinical Medicine and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

  • Vascular access malfunction, usually presenting with an inadequate access flow (Qa), is the leading cause of morbidity and hospitalization in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Many methods of thermal therapy have been tried for improving Qa but with limited effects.
  • This randomized trial was designed to evaluate the effect of far-infrared (FIR) therapy on access flow and patency of the native arteriovenous fistula (AVF). A total of 145 HD patients were enrolled with 73 in the control group and 72 in the FIR group. A WS TY101 FIR emitter was used for 40 min, and hemodynamic parameters were measured by the Transonic HD(02) monitor during HD.
  • The Qa(1)/Qa(2) and Qa(3)/Qa(4) were defined as the Qa measured at the beginning/at 40 min later in the HD session before the initiation and at the end of the study, respectively. The incremental change of Qa in the single HD session with FIR therapy was significantly higher than that without FIR therapy (13.2 +/- 114.7 versus -33.4 +/- 132.3 ml/min; P = 0.021). In comparison with control subjects, patients who received FIR therapy for 1 yr had (1) a lower incidence (12.5 versus 30.1%; P < 0.01) and relative incidence (one episode per 67.7 versus one episode per 26.7 patient-months; P = 0.03) of AVF malfunction; (2) higher values of the following parameters, including Delta(Qa(4) – Qa(3)) (36.2 +/- 82.4 versus -12.7 +/- 153.6 ml/min; P = 0.027), Delta(Qa(3) – Qa(1)) (36.3 +/- 166.2 versus -51.7 +/- 283.1 ml/min; P = 0.035), Delta(Qa(4) – Qa(2)) (99.2 +/- 144.4 versus -47.5 +/- 244.5 ml/min; P < 0.001), and Delta(Qa(4) – Qa(2)) – Delta(Qa(3) – Qa(1)) (62.9 +/- 111.6 versus 4.1 +/- 184.5 ml/min; P = 0.032); and (3) a better unassisted patency of AVF (85.9 versus 67.6%; P < 0.01).
  • In conclusion, FIR therapy, a noninvasive and convenient therapeutic modality, can improve Qa and survival of the AVF in HD patients through both its thermal and its nonthermal effects.

 

4. Far-infrared irradiation can improve blood flow and patency of arteriovenous fistulas in hemodialysis patients.

Department of Surgery, Sapporo Kita Clinic, Kita ku, Kita 18 Jo, Nishi, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. seiji.ohira@sk-clinic.or.jp

  • [no summary on pubmed]

Nat Clin Pract Nephrol. 2007 Aug;3(8):422-3. Epub 2007 Jun 19.
PMID: 17579597 [PubMed]

5. Application of Far-infrared Irradiation in the Manufacturing process of Green Tea

Kim SY, Jeong SM, Jo SC, Lee SC.

PMID: 17177525 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Dec 27;54(26):9943-7

Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungnam University, Masan 631-701, Korea.

  • Seven kinds of green tea leaves were manufactured with far-infrared (FIR) irradiation, and the physicochemical characteristics of the green tea were determined. Appropriate FIR irradiation during the manufacturing process significantly increased the polyphenolic content of green tea. FIR irradiation at 90 degrees C for 10 min, replacing the roasting step, and of the fully processed green tea leaves (GTP3) increased the total phenol content of green tea from 475.6 to 811.1 mg/g and the total flavanol content from 175.7 to 208.7 mg/g, as compared to the control. Epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate increased from 57.68 and 9.60 mg/g in a nonirradiated control to 89.88 and 16.33 mg/g in GTP3, respectively. Ascorbic acid, caffeine, and nitrite scavenging activities were also increased in GTP3. However, the overall color change of GTP3 was negligible.
  • These results indicate that the chemical properties of green tea are significantly affected by FIR irradiation at specific stages of the manufacturing process of green tea leaves and that this FIR irradiation results in high-quality green tea.

6. Biological Effect of Far-infrared Therapy on Increasing Skin Microcirculation in Rats.

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2006 Apr;22(2):78-86.
PMID: 16606412 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Yu SY, Chiu JH, Yang SD, Hsu YC, Lui WY, Wu CW.

Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Life Science, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

  • BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Insufficient microcirculation of skin leads to acute and chronic tissue ischemia in cases of trauma, reconstructive surgery, diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The autonomic nervous system and nitric oxide (NO) play important roles in maintaining blood perfusion of the skin. Far-infrared (FIR) therapy provides low energy of light emitted from an artificial radiator and has been used to treat many vascular-related disorders. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which FIR works remain unclear. The present study aims to test the hypothesis that the effect of FIR is through increasing skin microcirculation by a mechanism other than its thermal effect.
  • METHODS: Sixty rats were used in the present study. A WS TY301 FIR emitter was placed 20 cm above the rats. Skin temperature and blood flow were continuously measured by a K-type thermocouple. Under laboratory control, the abdominal skin temperature steadily increased from 38-39 degrees C, and was kept at constant temperature. Skin microcirculation was measured with a continuous laser Doppler flowmeter.
  • RESULTS: There was no significant change of skin blood flow during FIR treatment. Skin blood flow increased significantly soon after the removal of the FIR emitter. The stimulating effect on skin blood flow was more significant in the rats treated with FIR for 45 min and could be sustained as long as 60 min. These findings suggested a non-thermic biological effect of FIR on skin microcirculation. The promotive effect of FIR on increasing skin blood flow was not influenced by pretreatment of APP (atropine, propranolol and phentolamine), but was suppressed by pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (an endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor).
  • CONCLUSION: In conclusion, FIR therapy exerts a NO-related biological effect to increase skin microcirculation in rats. This might bring into perspective the clinical application of FIR to treat ischemic disease by augmenting L-arginine/NO pathway.

 

7. Effect of far-infrared irradiation on Catechins and Nitrite Scavenging activity of Green Tea.

J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Jan 25;54(2):399-403.
PMID: 16417296 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Lee SC, Kim SY, Jeong SM, Park JH.

Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungnam University, Masan 631-701, Korea. sclee@kyungnam.ac.kr

  • The processed green tea leaves were irradiated by far-infrared (FIR) at eight temperatures (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 degrees C) for 10 min. After FIR irradiation, green teas were prepared by soaking the leaves in boiling water, and the physicochemical characteristics of the green tea were determined. FIR irradiation at 90 degrees C increased total phenol contents of green tea from 244.7 to 368.5 mg/g and total flavanol contents from 122.0 to 178.7 mg/g, compared with non-irradiated control. FIR irradiation also significantly affected the amounts of epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate. Nitrite scavenging activity also increased with increasing FIR irradiation until the temperature reached 110 degrees C. However, the overall color changes of green tea irradiated with FIR at 90 and 100 degrees C were negligible.
  • These results indicate that the chemical quality of green tea is significantly affected by FIR irradiation temperature of the green tea leaves.

 

8. Effect of Far-infrared Irradiation on the Antioxidant Activity of Defatted Sesame Meal Extracts.

J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Mar 9;53(5):1495-8.
PMID: 15740030 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Lee SC, Jeong SM, Kim SY, Nam KC, Ahn DU.

Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungnam University, Masan 631-701, Korea. sclee@kyungnam.ac.kr

  • To determine the effect of far-infrared (FIR) irradiation on the antioxidant activities of sesame meal, half of sesame seeds were FIR-irradiated and then oil was extracted from the seeds. The resulting defatted sesame meal (DSM) was extracted with methanol, and the antioxidant activities of methanolic extract were determined. FIR irradiation of sesame seeds for 30 min increased the total phenol content from 34.0 to 59.0 muM and radical scavenging activity of DSM extracts from 26.40 to 68.76%. The induction time of lipid oxidation of oil added to extracts was also retarded from 0.82 to 0.96 h. According to the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, several low molecular weight phenolic compounds, such as p-hydroxy benzoic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, isoferulic acid, and o-coumaric acid, were frequently detected in FIR-irradiated DSM extracts as compared to unirradiated ones.
  • These results indicated that FIR irradiation of sesame seeds increased the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of DSM.

 

9. Effect of Far-infrared Radiation on the Antioxidant Activity of Rice Hulls.

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jul 16;51(15):4400-3.
PMID: 12848517 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Lee SC, Kim JH, Jeong SM, Kim DR, Ha JU, Nam KC, Ahn DU.

Visiting Scholar, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3150, USA. sclee@kyungnam.ac.kr

  • After far-infrared (FIR) radiation onto rice hull, a methanolic extract was prepared for the determination of antioxidant ability. After 30 min of FIR treatment, the radical scavenging activity and total phenol contents of rice hull extracts increased from 47.74 to 79.63% and from 0.12 to 0.19 mM, respectively, compared to control. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation in extracts was also increased from 41.07 to 47.96%. According to the GC-MS analysis, more phenolic compounds (p-coumaric acid, 3-vinyl-1-oxybenzene, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 4,7-dihydroxyvanillic acid) were detected in FIR-irradiated rice hull extract.
  • These results indicated that FIR radiation onto rice hull could liberate and activate covalently bound phenolic compounds that have antioxidant activities.

 

10. Promotive Effects of Far-Infrared ray on Full-thickness Skin Wound Healing in Rats.

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2003 Jun;228(6):724-9.
PMID: 12773705 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Toyokawa H, Matsui Y, Uhara J, Tsuchiya H, Teshima S, Nakanishi H, Kwon AH, Azuma Y, Nagaoka T, Ogawa T, Kamiyama Y.

First Department of Surgery and Regeneration Research Center for Intractable Diseases, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi City, Osaka, 570-8507, Japan.

  • The biological effects of far-infrared ray (FIR) on whole organisms remain poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate not only the hyperthermic effect of the FIR irradiation, but also the biological effects of FIR on wound healing. To evaluate the effect of FIR on a skin wound site, the speed of full-thickness skin wound healing was compared among groups with and without FIR using a rat model. We measured the skin wound area, skin blood flow, and skin temperature before and during FIR irradiation, and we performed histological inspection. Wound healing was significantly more rapid with than without FIR. Skin blood flow and skin temperature did not change significantly before or during FIR irradiation.
  • Histological findings revealed greater collagen regeneration and infiltration of fibroblasts that expressed transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in wounds in the FIR group than in the group without FIR.
  • Stimulation of the secretion of TGF-beta1 or the activation of fibroblasts may be considered as a possible mechanisms for the promotive effect of FIR on wound healing independent of skin blood flow and skin temperature.

 

 

11. Effects of Hydroxyapatite in Combination with Far-infrared rays on Spontaneous Mammary Tumorigenesis in SHN mice.

Am J Chin Med. 2002;30(4):495-505.
PMID: 12568277 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Udagawa Y, Ishigame H, Nagasawa H.

Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.

  • We have found that the administration of a diet containing 5% hydroxyapatite (HAP) derived from pig and cattle bones, and exposure to far-infrared rays (FIR) markedly inhibited spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in SHN mice. Thus, the effect of combined treatment with HAP and FIR on mammary tumorigenesis was examined.
  • The significant inhibition of tumor development by individual treatment with HAP or FIR was not enhanced by combined treatment; instead, the decrease in the inhibitory effect of HAP with age was ameliorated. Associated with this, life span was elongated and a decline in ovarian function was prevented by HAP plus FIR. Normal and preneoplastic growth of mammary glands and plasma component levels were not significantly affected by any treatment.
  • The findings indicate that HAP and FIR have characteristics common to most natural products; in combination with other agents, they have little additive effect, when each is highly active.

 

 

12. Evidence that Far-infrared Radiation Promotes Growth of Xenopus Laevis.

Adv Space Res. 1999;23(12):2041-4.
PMID: 11712546 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Shiurba R, Hirabayashi T, Kiyokawa S, Fukui A, Miyanaga Y, Kojima I, Asashima M.

Misato Plaheat Mfg., Ltd., 521-18 Kamaiuwada, Satte-shi, Saitama 340-0124, Japan.

  • In most ectotherms, environmental temperature has differential effects on growth and differentiation. For example, amphibian size at maturity decreases with increasing temperature. To address how radiant heat in the form of far-infrared radiation (FIR) may affect development of the aquatic ectotherm Xenopus laevis, we continuously irradiated swimming larvae as they developed into young adults.
  • Here we report evidence that FIR promotes growth of these organisms in an aqueous environment.
  • c1999 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

13. Effects of Far-infrared ray on Reproduction, Growth, Behaviour and some Physiological Parameters in Mice.

In Vivo. 2000 Mar-Apr;14(2):321-6.
PMID: 10836204 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Udagawa Y, Nagasawa H.

Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kanagawa, Japan.

The effects of chronic exposure to far-infrared ray (FIR) on reproduction, growth, behaviour, survival time and some related parameters were examined in SHN mice. The reproductive parameters differed slightly between the females on the normal racks and those on the FIR racks, which emitted FIR from the ceiling.

The age and body weight on the day of vaginal opening was lower in the experimental mice born and maintained on the FIR rack than in the control on the normal rack. In both sexes, the levels of urinary components in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control at 6-7 months of age.

Spontaneous motor activity of females during the light and dark phases were higher and lower, respectively, in the experimental group than the control. The survival rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control.

These findings suggest that FIR has ‘normalization effects’ on the organisms.

 

14. Inhibition by Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH) with Far-infrared rays of the Growth of Spontaneous Mammary Tumours in mice.

Anticancer Res. 1999 Sep-Oct;19(5B):4125-30

PMID: 10628363 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.

Udagawa Y, Nagasawa H, Kiyokawa S

To evaluate possible therapeutic benefits of irradiation with far-infrared rays (FIR) on breast cancer, we examined combined effects of the chronic exposure to FIR at ambient temperature (26.5-27.5 degrees C) and the whole-body hyperthermia induced by FIR (WBH) (35-41 degrees C) on the growth of spontaneous mammary tumours of mice. A high mammary tumour strain of SHN virgin mice born on the normal rack or FIR rack were maintained on the respective racks until mammary tumour appearance. When the mammary tumour size reached approximately 7 mm, some mice in each group received no further treatment (Control and FIR groups, respectively) and the remaining mice received 3 hours of WBH each of 5 consecutive days (C + WBH and FIR + WBH groups, respectively). There was little difference between the control and FIR groups in the tumour growth over 10 days of examination. On the other hand, the tumour growth was inhibited significantly in both C + WBH and FIR + WBH groups and the degree of inhibition was similar. The data confirmed that the chronic exposure to FIR at ambient temperature has little effect on the growth of spontaneous mammary tumours in mice.

WBH with FIR, however, strongly inhibited the tumour growth without deleterious side-effects, while chronic FIR irradiation itself again had little effect in this process. This WBH regimen may serve as a useful animal model for long-term studies of a noninvasive treatment of breast cancer.

 

15. Evidence that irradiation of far-infrared rays inhibits mammary tumour growth in SHN mice.

Nagasawa H, Udagawa Y, Kiyokawa S.

Anticancer Res. 1999 May-Jun;19(3A):1797-800
PMID: 10470118 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE

Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.

  • To evaluate the effect of irradiation of far infrared rays (FIR), the growth of spontaneous mammary tumours of SHN mice was compared among 3 groups: the control was kept until the end of experiment on the normal rack in the absence of FIR and Experimental group I was constantly exposed to FIR. Experimental group Il was raised as the control followed by movement to the FIR rack after mammary tumour appearance. While there was little difference between the control and Experimental group I in mammary tumour growth for 16 days, Experimental group II was significantly lower than the control in this parameter. Furthermore, the percentage of rapidly growing tumours showing greater than 200% of growth rate was apparently lower in Experimental group II. Associated with this, epidermal growth factor receptor expression in mammary tumours, anterior pituitary weight and serum leptin level were significantly decreased in Experimental group II.
  • The findings suggest that whole-body FIR irradiation at ambient temperature could be a possible way of a hyperthermic therapy for tumours.

 

16. Effects of Hydroxyapatite in Combination with Far-infrared rays on Spontaneous Mammary Tumorigenesis in SHN mice.

Am J Chin Med. 2002;30(4):495-505.Click here to read
PMID: 12568277 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Udagawa Y, Ishigame H, Nagasawa H.

Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.

  • We have found that the administration of a diet containing 5% hydroxyapatite (HAP) derived from pig and cattle bones, and exposure to far-infrared rays (FIR) markedly inhibited spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in SHN mice. Thus, the effect of combined treatment with HAP and FIR on mammary tumorigenesis was examined. The significant inhibition of tumor development by individual treatment with HAP or FIR was not enhanced by combined treatment; instead, the decrease in the inhibitory effect of HAP with age was ameliorated. Associated with this, life span was elongated and a decline in ovarian function was prevented by HAP plus FIR. Normal and preneoplastic growth of mammary glands and plasma component levels were not significantly affected by any treatment.
  • The findings indicate that HAP and FIR have characteristics common to most natural products; in combination with other agents, they have little additive effect, when each is highly active.

 

17. Food Restriction and Spontaneous Motor Activity in male mice: effects of feeding pattern, far-infrared ray and bamboo grass leaf extract.

In Vivo. 2001 Jul-Aug;15(4):309-18
PMID: 11695223 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Nagasawa H, Murayama Y, Ishigame H.

Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan.

  • The effects on spontaneous motor activity of the pattern of restricted feeding, far-infrared ray (FIR) irradiation or free access in drinking water containing Sasa Health, a bamboo grass leafextract, were examined in SHN male mice at 2-3 months of age. In mice whose diet was restricted to 60% of the control, fed at 9:00 or 17:00 hours, the level of spontaneous behaviour was elevated 1 hour before the respective feeding time (8:00 or 16:00 hours). The activity was stimulated by FIR in both the control and food-restricted mice, but to a much higher degree in the latter. Treatment with Sasa Health in drinking water lowered the elevated activity level in food-restricted mice. Plasma component levels and organ weights were modulated by FIR or Sasa Health.
  • The findings revealed that, not only the restricted feeding itsel, but also its pattern, significantly affected behaviour and that FIR and Sasa Health modified the deleterious effects of restricted feeding.

 

FIR Professional Use

1. Dr John Cline

drclineDr John C. Cline, M.D., B.Sc, C.C.F.P, A.B.C.T., Medical Director of the Cline Medical Center and Oceanside Functional Medicine Research Institute, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada uses FIR saunas for wide range of conditions. He explains that:

“Several published studies have now shown that hyperthermic (sauna) therapy can bring about the rapid removal of a wide range of toxic substances from the human body”

“Hyperthermic therapy also is one of the few things, which brings about a significant rise in the level of growth hormone, an important hormone that helps to maintain lean body tissue, including muscle.”

“For the chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia (FMS) patient, hyperthermic therapy helps to restore normal autonomic nervous system functioning. This is the part of the nervous system, which governs unconscious functions such as muscle tension, sweating, blood pressure, digestion and balance.”

“Autonomic dysregulation is the term used to describe changes in the nervous system, which result in many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia (FMS). Muscle pain, excessive body odor, digestive complaints, visual disturbances and dizziness are some of the many manifestations of autonomic dysregulation.

“Repeated sessions of hyperthermic therapy can greatly assist in the restoration of normal autonomic nervous system functioning”

Dr Cline explains that:

“Sweat therapy has also been used for many years by miners in Europe to prevent and treat occupational heavy metal poisoning, and studies have now demonstrated that hyperthermic therapy can bring about significant detoxification from heavy metals including mercury. But only in recent years has science begun to seriously examine this age-old healing technique.

“Now, organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have taken a serious look at hyperthermic therapy as a means to detoxify individuals who are ill from exposure to environmental poisons”

2. Dr Doris Rapp

rappDoris J. Rapp, MD, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is an Environmental medical specialist as well as a well-known pediatrician, allergist, homeopath and past president of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. She states unequivocally,

“Everybody in this country needs to be detoxified because we’ve all become toxic dumpsites.”

“I’m hoping to see more patient outcome studies on FIR sauna use, studies that will further evaluate the efficacy of this treatment”

Dr. Rapp began using a Far-InfraRed sauna personally after seeing a similar procedure being employed in a German clinic where she was particularly impressed with the clinic’s work in detoxifying young children and infants.

3. Dr. Toshiko Yamazaki

toshikoDr. Toshiko Yamazaki, MD, owns a clinic in Japan where she has done extensive research on the therapeutic uses of Far-Infrared. In her book, “The Science of Far Infrared Therapies” she explains that:

“One of the reasons FIR has beneficial results in a variety of illnesses is the ability of FIR waves to remove toxins which are often at the core of many health problems.

“Toxins in our body appear in water as clumps or globules. Blood circulation becomes blocked and cellular energy impaired where these toxins accumulate.”

“However, when the energy from FIR is applied to water molecules containing toxins, the water begins to vibrate, releasing the encapsulated gases and other toxic materials back into the bloodstream where they are removed naturally by the body’s normal detoxification process” 

Dr Yamazaki reports the successful treatments of many diseases by the use of FIR waves in Japan, including:

• Asthma, Bronchitis (cleared up)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (7 out of 10 cases resolved in one clinical trial)
• Cancer pain (greatly relieved)
• Cirrhosis of the Liver (reversed)
• Chrone’s disease (cleared)
• Cold hand and feet (20-25% improvement maintained)
• Cystitis (gone)
• Duodenal ulcers (eliminated)
• Gastritis (relieved)
• Haemorrhoids (reduced)
• Hepatitis (gone)
• High Blood pressure (reduced)
• Keloids (significantly softened and in some cases completely gone)
• Leg ulcers (healed)
• Radiation sickness (relieved signs and symptoms)
• Teenage skin problems (cleared)
• Tinitus (chronic case cleared in 10 treatments)
• Eczema and Psoriasis (responded well)
• Pain Relief

4. Prof. Li Dong Qi

Prof. Li Dong Qi carried out clinical test involving 1409 patients at three large hospitals in Tianjin, China.

The results showed that FIR rays could be effective for a range of conditions for the majority of patients:

No. Type of Desease Number of Patients Effective Non Effective Effectiveness
1. Arthritis 413 361 52 87.41%
2. Rheumatism 189 161 28 85.19%
3. Spinocerebellar Disorder 347 317 30 91.35%
4. Neck Dissection 311 262 49 84.24%
5. Prostatitis 34 31 3 91.18%
6. Diabetes 8 6 2 75.00%
7. Vaginitis 30 28 2 93.33%
8. Osteoporosis 16 12 4 75.00%
9. Emphysema 44 40 4 82.35%
10. Neuritis 17 14 3 87.44%
Total 1409 1232 117 87.44%

5. Dr Sherry Rogers

sheree rodgersDr Sherry Rogers, utilizes sweat detoxification for the treatment of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity at the Northeast Environmental Clinic in New York and comments:

“What is the best way to get rid of toxic chemicals including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbon residues?

The Far-InfraRed Sauna. …I’m convinced that the Far-InfraRed Sauna is something everyone should do to restore health and then continue to do on a less frequent basis to maintain the ‘cleaned out’ state for the rest of their lives.”

In addition to the effective removal of toxins, FIR Saunas also have been shown to have the benefits:

1. Lower lactic acid (the acid that accumulates and causes pain in muscles when you have overdone it during exercising);

2. Stimulate endorphins (happy hormones) of the brain;

3. Kill organisms like bacteria and parasites;

4. Stop swelling;

5. Improve lymphatic flow;

6. Strengthen the immune system by increasing leukocytes (a type of white blood cell);

7. Increase blood circulation and oxygen supply;

8. Attract calcium to cell membranes where it is needed for healing;

9. Provide pain relief from arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and joint stiffness;

10. Speed up metabolism in the body;

11. Weight control – Burns as many calories in one session as you would rowing or jogging 30 minutes;

12. Improve skin and help reduce cellulite.

6. Dr. Sasaki Kyuo

Dr. Sasaki Kyuo, M.D. has done extensive research on the therapeutic uses of far infrared therapy. She is the author of “The Scientific Basis and Therapeutic Benefits of Far Infrared Ray Therapy” which presents the clinical effects of far infrared ray therapy.

Besides cancer, Dr. Kyuo reports continual successful treatments of many other diseases by use of FIR waves.

The list of diseases documented in her book includes stress induced chronic diarrhea, abdominal distention, ulcerated large intestines, gastritis, facial numbness, haemorrhoids, shoulder, back, and knee pain, rheumatism, hypo tension, diabetes, weight loss, breast and abdominal tumours, low blood pressure, asthma, anaemia, burns and scalds, body odour, early onset of baldness, fracture of cervical vertebra, radiation exposure and related diseases.