Infrared Radiation Physiotherapy: Indications and Contraindications

What Is Infrared Radiation Therapy?

Infrared radiation therapy involves the application of infrared light to various soft tissues that can provide relief from the symptoms. Infrared light has the characteristic of penetrating the skin to deeper layers and providing the desired therapeutic effect. It is used in chronic painful conditions and has many health benefits. It is advantageous because it does not damage the skin when used appropriately.

Who Can Benefit From This Therapy?

Individuals with the following conditions can benefit from infrared radiation therapy:

• Osteoporosis: It is a condition in which bone destruction is accelerated, and the bone formation does not balance with the level of destruction. The bones become brittle and weak. Patients affected with osteoporosis can benefit from infrared radiation therapy.

• Spasm: It is very helpful in conditions like a muscular spasm.

• Back and Neck Pain: Patients with chronic back pain and neck pain can benefit from this therapy.

• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis refers to a condition that is characterized by wear and tear of the bones and cartilage, causing stiffness and pain.

• Muscle Strain: In conditions like muscle strain occurring due to sports injuries, infrared therapy can be used.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: It occurs due to prolonged pressure on the median nerve, leading to numbness and tingling of the hands and wrist.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is characterized by inflammation of almost all of the joints, leading to muscle pain and fatigue.

• Diabetic Nephropathy: It is a kidney disease arising as a result of diabetes.

• Temporomandibular Joint Pain: The joint that helps in opening and closing the mouth, known as the temporomandibular joint, is affected in many individuals. This pain can be relieved through infrared therapy.

• Tendinitis: It refers to the irritation or inflammation of a tendon that is a result of repetitive stress.

• Sciatica: Sciatica is characterized by pain along the course of the sciatica nerve that runs from the buttocks, legs, lower back, and hips.

• Spine Injuries: In spinal cord injuries and spinal abnormalities, infrared can be used for relieving pain and other symptoms.

• Tennis Elbow: It is a condition in which the muscles of the forearm are damaged due to repetitive movements.

• Sports Injuries: Sports injuries can be effectively treated through infrared therapy.

What Is the Mechanism of Action of Infrared Radiation?

Infrared lamps are used for the direct application of dry heat through the infrared rays coming from the lamp, with a treatment time of about 15 to 20 minutes. Infrared radiation can reach the inner layers of skin, penetrating for up to seven centimeters inside the skin. So they can be able to act upon nerves, muscles, ligaments, and bones. The photoreceptors in the cells of the skin will absorb the infrared light, and then it provokes a series of metabolic processes that will trigger the natural cellular process. Nitric oxide present in infrared light helps in the efficacy of this therapy. It helps in relaxing the arteries in the body and regulating blood pressure. It will also help prevent platelet aggregation and reduce oxidative stress. Therefore the tissue regeneration process is accelerated. Shorter wavelengths of infrared radiation provide effects deep in the skin.

How Are Infrared Rays Produced?

Infrared light can be produced by photobiomodulation light-emitting devices, ceramic materials, wires, and infrared saunas. Infrared rays can be produced through luminous and non-luminous generators.

1. Luminous Generator: Incandescent lamps are used for this purpose, and there can be one or two lamps for producing the rays. They provide radiant heat and penetrate to a depth of five to ten millimeters. In this, the lamp produces light that contains infrared, ultraviolet, and visible rays. The ultraviolet and visible rays will be filtered on the lamp's surface.

2. Non-luminous Generator: A non-light emitting lamp with a preheated wire is used as a generator for producing infrared rays. A coiled resistance wire is circled in a ceramic material that is insulated. The wire and the heated material together produce infrared radiation.

What Are the Benefits of Infrared Radiation Physiotherapy?

• It helps penetrate the tissue and provides stronger effects.

• Infrared radiation therapy also helps in nerve stimulation.

• Cellular metabolism is improved through the application of infrared radiation therapy.

• Infrared therapy also helps improve circulation to the application site, thereby transporting nutrition.

• It helps in relaxing the joints and muscles.

• It helps in improving joint mobility.

• Infrared radiation therapy helps in tissue repair and accelerates healing.

• Softening of the soft tissues and skin can be achieved through this therapy.

• It is also used for joint mobilization purposes.

• In cases of edema, infrared therapy can be used to control it.

• Infrared therapy can be used post-operatively to reduce pain.

• It is an ideal treatment modality for stiff and painful joints.

• Inflammation in the joints can be treated through superficial heating methods like infrared radiation therapy.

• Infrared radiation therapy shows beneficial results for lesions originating from muscles, ligaments, and nerves that create pain.

• Infrared radiation therapy can be used for soft tissue relaxation.

How Is Infrared Radiation Physiotherapy Done?

The patient is tested for thermal sensitivity and examined thoroughly. The patient is asked to be seated comfortably, and the treatment area is exposed to infrared rays. Shielding is provided to the eyes to avoid unnecessary exposure. Metallic objects like rings, watches, and other jewelry are removed before treatment. The lamps are preheated at least five minutes before the start of therapy.

The infrared lamp is placed at a 90-degree angle to the treatment area to ensure maximum penetration. The distance between the treatment area to the lamp should be 40 to 50 centimeters for smaller lamps and 60 to 75 centimeters for larger lamps.

Heating elements used in infrared saunas are heated at about 300 to 400 degrees Celsius for 15 to 30 minutes. After this, the patient is wrapped with a blanket and given water to drink. This prevents dehydration. It will help in improving heart function and also assist in the rehabilitation of injuries.

What Are the Contraindications of Infrared Radiation Physiotherapy?

1. Patients with impaired heat sensation in the skin.

2. Patients who have tumors.

3. Those who have a fever.

4. Patients are affected by conditions like eczema or dermatitis.

5. Patients who have advanced heart disease.

6. It should be used with caution in pregnant patients, individuals with metallic implants in their bodies, and patients who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgery.

7. Patients having a hemorrhage.

8. Patients with a history of skin damage on exposure to ionizing radiations.

9. Patient with superficial skin infections.

What Are the Side Effects of Infrared Radiation Therapy?

The following side effects can occur in certain individuals:

• Skin irritation.

• Burns.

• Eye damage.

• Electric shock.

• Faintness.

• Dehydration.

• Gangrene (infection leading to tissue death).

• Headache.

• Low blood pressure.

• Skin injury.

Conclusion:

Infrared therapy has been one of the effective approaches to treating painful musculoskeletal conditions. It helps accelerate the healing process by improving blood circulation and improving oxygen and nutrient supply. It can also be used in sports injuries even regularly as long as the individual is not sensitive to this therapy. The health benefits of infrared radiation therapy are pretty remarkable.