Over half the energy emitted by the sun is infrared radiation. The rest is energy emitted in the form of visible light. The longest wavelength of visible light is also known as radiant heat. It was discovered in1800 by English astronomer Sir William Herschel. By placing a thermometer at various points in a prismatic spectrum, he observed that ordinary light heat transmission is greater beyond the red end of the spectrum (far-infrared). There is a diagram at the end of this page that illustrates the various elements in the whole of the electromagnetic spectrum.

What is Infrared ray heat? First what it is not. It is not ultraviolet radiation that gives sunburn and damages skin. Further, it has nothing to do with atomic radiation such as occurs when people are exposed to nuclear activity. Infrared ray heat is a principle source of radiant energy like the energy that we enjoy from the Sun. It is an important source of energy because it promotes healing — by raising the white blood cell count. More white cells means greater immunity. Greater immunity means greater health and quality of life.

Far-infrared heat therapy follows the principle: warm the injury site to speed the healing. This source of therapy is more effective than heating a pad which may even damage the skin and yet not heat internal organs. Far-infrared light has vibrational energy that permits it to penetrate deeply and to reach and heat the target internal organs.

Energy medicine is an ancient practice. Chinese health practitioners in previous times would use healing touch therapies for improved cell growth. These practitioners had no knowledge of DNA synthesis in cells. Despite not knowing technical terms for why their therapy improved health, they were sure of one thing; their patients did get better. Today, far-infrared energy is being used in hyperthermic therapies for detoxification and cancer treatment.

Over the last quarter-century Japanese and Chinese researchers and clinicians have conducted extensive research of far-infrared medical treatments. In Japan there is an 'infrared society' comprised of medical doctors and physical therapists who are dedicated to further infrared research. Data from some of the Japanese-Chinese studies suggest that far-infrared may be up to 7 times more effective than conventional heat or even saunas at detoxifying the body of heavy metals such as mercury and aluminium; even of cholesterols, nicotine, alcohol, ammonia, sulphuric acid and other environmental toxins.

Far-infrared radiation may help improve blood circulation, reduce stress and fatigue, improve the immune system, deep cleanse the skin, relieve pain, relax muscles and improve flexibility, ease joint pain and stiffness, strengthen the cardiovascular system, provide relief from arthritis, ease abnormal skin conditions (including cellulite) and be an all-around beauty treatment.

The Electromagnetic spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into segments of wavelengths measured in microns. The range between 0.076 – 1.5 microns is near infrared , 1.5 – 5.6 microns is middle infrared and 5.6 – 1000 microns is Far Infrared (FIR). This invisible band of light warms objects without warming the air between the FIR source and the object. The best example of this is the sun. Even on a cold day, the sun feels warm on the skin. This warmth you feel is far infrared waves. FIR heat is a completely safe form of energy. Approximately 80% of the sun's rays fall into the far infrared range. They are not visible to the human eye, but can been seen with special equipment that translates the light into visible colours.

Our palms emit far infrared energy (8 – 14 microns). As mentioned above, palm healing dates back 3000 years in China and is based on the natural healing properties of far infrared rays.