What is an Infra-Red Sauna?

Verified Claims

• Predicate devices include TDP-lamps, for which the FDA has allowed the following indications: "... is an infrared lamp that emits the infrared spectrum to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature, to temporarily increase local blood circulation, and to temporarily relieve minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness. The lamps may also help to relieve minor pain associated with muscle spasms, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain." Specifications include total emission power of less than or equal to 250W, with an emission wavelength of between 2 to 50 microns [2,000nm to 50,000nm]. The emission element uses "a rare earth ceramic plate." The intended application is to apply this power by direct radiation to a local portion of the patient's body. FDA - K052063
• Another predicate device is the "CHUNG CHENG Far Infrared Ray healthful Lamp (or Medical FIR Radiator) Model #CH-8810" which has an emission wavelength range of between 4 to 14 microns [4,000 to 14,000nm] at a power of 800W, using a "ceramic semiconductor" emission element. The FDA has allowed a similar list of indications, specifically: "for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, the temporary relief of joint pain associated with arthritis, the temporary increase in local circulation where applied, and relaxation of muscles. In addition, the lamp may also help muscle spasms, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain." The intended application is to apply this power by direct radiation to a local portion of the patient's body. [Dr. Weyrich notes that the range 4,000 to 14,000nm is actually "middle IR" and not "far IR" - see below. FDA - K053376
• Your health care provider can discuss other possible benefits of devices such as the above, but such usage is considered "off label" and as such cannot be promoted to the public. However, Dr. Weyrich can discuss the physics of such devices (warning - this is technical!)
• The Relax Sauna uses two FIR radiators similar to the above, with a total power of 1600 W that are arranged is such a manner that the radiant power is not directly applied to a localized portion of the patient's body, but is indirectly diffusively applied via multiple reflections from the inside walls of the sauna "tent."
• As an example, Dr. Weyrich estimates his total body surface area to be 2m² or 20,000cm². Surface Area Calculator if 1,600W of power were to be indirectly distributed equally over all of Dr. Weyrich's skin using a "tent" that reflects far-IR radiation, this would be 1600/20000 Watts per square centimeter, or 0.08W/cm², which is 80mW/cm² (or 40mW/cm² if operated at half-power). These values are estimates - they may be lower because energy transfer is less than 100% efficient, and may be locally higher due to unequal distribution of the power.
• In comparison, a 250W TDP lamp similar to the one described above claims a local intensity of between 28 to 34mW/cm² over the affected skin area when using a treatment distance range between 12 and 18 inches. FDA - CQ222
• To put this into perspective, "at zenith, sunlight provides an irradiance of just over 1KW per square meter at sea-level. Of this energy, 527W is infrared radiation, 445W is visible light, and 32W is ultraviolet radiation." Wikipedia Focusing on the infrared light energy from the sun, this can be converted to mW/cm&>² as follows: 527W/m² * 1000mW/W / (10,000cm²/m²) = 53mW/cm² which is similar to the power emitted by the IR sauna and TDP lamps discussed above. The difference is that unlike the sun, there is no ultraviolet light that can cause sunburn.
• How is Far-IR different from other forms of Infra-Red heating? The answer is in the wavelength of the infra-red rays. All infra-red rays consist of electromagnetic radiation that is subject to the laws of quantum physics. All electromagnetic radiation can be described using what is called the wave-particle duality. It is easiest to discuss this point of quantum physics if we focus on a phenomena we can actually see - visible light. All light waves have a wavelength - and the different wavelengths of light appear to us as different colors. Radio waves also are electromagnetic energy, and appear to us as different spots on the radio dial. YouTube is an easy to understand introduction. For example, the AM radio signals have a wavelength of between 188 to 556 meters YouTube Visible light has much shorter wavelengths than radio YouTube Wavelengths of the color spectrum range from approximately 380nm (violet) to 700nm (red) NASA. Infra-red (IR) light has a longer wavelength than visible red light, but shorter than microwaves or radio waves. According to Britannica, The infrared range is usually divided into three regions: near infrared (nearest the visible spectrum), has wavelengths between about 0.78 to about 780nm to 2500nm; middle infrared, with wavelengths 2500nm to about 50,000nm; and far infrared, with wavelengths 50,000 to 1,000,000nm = 1mm; longer than 1mm is called "microwave". Britannica
• According to quantum physics, different wavelengths of "light" interact with the chemical world (and your body!) differently. Ultraviolet light tends to cause electrons to move and chemical bonds to break, and therefore can promote chemical reactions (including sunburn). Infrared light does not normally have enough energy in each photon (quanta) to break chemical bonds, but does tend to cause molecular bonds to "vibrate" in different ways, depending on the particular wavelength of the light. UCD
• Thus, it is reasonable to expect that different wavelengths of infrared light will have different physiological effects on the body, in particular effects on the properties of water, which normally makes up more than 50% of a person's body weight.
• Much more can be said on the subject of how different wavelengths of light can affect a person's physiology, but I would not want to be found to be making "unapproved health claims."

Unverified Claims

• TDP Lamp CQ222 - FDA Approved Therapeutic Heat Lamp CQ222
  • Reduces inflammation caused by sprains and strains
  • Reduces dermatitis
  • Reduces eczema
  • Improving metabolism
  • Strengthening immune system through the two aforementioned benefits above