New clinical research on pain offers evidence to establish a novel class of pain -- "heat responsive pain" or HRP -- which encompasses several common pain conditions that can be treated with the use of heat therapy. Researchers studying HRP have observed remarkable therapeutic benefits by using continuous low-level heat therapy for treating lower-back, upper-body and menstrual pain, all conditions that fall under the new HRP classification.

"For centuries, healthcare providers have used topical heat to relieve minor aches and pains, but today, we are just beginning to understand the full range of therapeutic benefits that heat offers," said pain expert Peter Vicente, Ph.D., Past-President of the American Pain Society and Clinical Health Psychologist, Riverhills Healthcare, Cincinnati, OH. "Through new clinical research, we have found that heat activates complex neurologic, vascular and metabolic mechanisms to mediate the transmission of pain signals and effectively provide relief for a variety of pain conditions."

NEWARK, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--May 15, 2002--Low level heat therapy is more effective than over-the-counter oral medications for relieving low back pain, according to the results of a nationwide study led by a sports medicine researcher at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

In the six-month study involving 371 patients, participants were given the maximum recommended non-prescription dosages of ibuprofen and acetaminophen or low level heat therapy for two days to treat acute low back pain.

The results showed that the low level heat therapy provided significantly more pain relief beginning on the first day of treatment than the oral analgesics and that the effects lasted more than 48 hours after the treatment was completed.

"Although clinical guidelines in the U.S. have recommended the use of self-administered heat, this is the first study to compare the effectiveness of topical heat treatment versus oral analgesics for treating muscle pain and stiffness," according to Dr. Scott F. Nadler, director of sports medicine at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark and co-investigator of the study.

"Confirming that this treatment is effective is important to patients because it gives them a treatment option that does not have the potential risk to the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract than can accompany inappropriate analgesic usage," said Dr. Nadler, who is also an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the medical school.

Source: HealthNewsDigest.com, Date Published: 2002-10-01

More Far-Infrared Sauna benefits

· Pain Relief                                              · Weight Loss

· Detoxification                                       · Increased Circulation

· Cholesterol Removal                         · Boosted Immune System

· Normalized Blood Pressure            · Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

· Reduced Stress & Fatigue                · Faster Healing to Cuts & Bruises

· Reduced Swelling                               · Reduced Stress & Fatigue
     and Inflammation                           · Improved Joint Flexibility             

Far-Infrared Cellular Purification

Dr. Toshiko Yamazaki, MD owns a Far-Infrared therapy clinic in Japan where she has done extensive research on the uses of Far-Infrared Therapy or Infrared Light Therapy. In her book, "The Science of Far-Infrared Therapies," she explains that one of the reasons Far-Infrared Therapy has beneficial results in a variety of illnesses is the ability of Far-Infrared waves to remove toxins with mercury detoxification, which is often at the core of many health problems. Since humans are bio-accumulators, numerous toxins that disturb natural body healing and cannot be removed immediately after entry are stored in our bodies and prevent future natural body healing.

Detoxification and Far-Infrared Therapy

When toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide or toxic substances such as lead, mercury, or chlorine meet large water molecules, water clusters encapsulate them. Where these toxins accumulate, blood circulation is blocked and cellular energy is impaired. Mercury detoxification begins when a 10 micron Far-Infrared Therapy wave is applied to these large water molecules and the water begins to vibrate.

This vibration reduces the ion bonds of the atoms that are holding together the molecules of water. As the vibration continues, breakdown of the water molecules occurs and encapsulated gases and other toxic materials are released. Scientists in Japan report that in the Far-Infrared Therapy wave treatment of clogged capillary vessels, a similar process occurs: heat expands the capillaries from Far-Infrared Therapy and then initiates the process to dissolve hidden toxins.

Far-Infrared Therapy also helps to improve nervous disorders, digestive disorders, weight loss, and normalize blood pressure.

Your New Sun

The benefits first began with Socrates providing an answer for depression using light. Use at health clubs and portable units at home has grown beyond measure for natural body healing. Portable Far-Infrared units are the beginning to complete stress reduction, relaxation, and all-around better health.

Body rejuvenation

Far-Infrared heat is, in fact, a necessary form of energy that all living things require for optimum health. If we don't receive enough Far-Infrared light from the sun, we become ill and depressed. All life forms on this planet; animals, plants and humans, need this abundant Far-Infrared light to be completely tranquil, calm, and healthy. The radiant heat from it surrounds us and penetrates deeply into our joints, muscles and tissues, speeding oxygen flow and increasing circulation. Using a portable Sunlight sauna helps to purify our cells, specifically the cells inside our fat where our body stores waste and harmful toxins, such as cholesterol and heavy metals. When used properly, this healing technology has zero side effects.

A portable unit is an option that may be the perfect solution for you or someone you know and will promote natural body healing which leads to a happier life and healthier lifestyle for you and those around you.

Request a brochure for more information on Far-Infrared Saunas or accessories by calling
Mary Dennis at Ombelievable Wellness 425-747-6900

Heat Treatments Get Rid of Toxins

Not only do saunas feel good, they are good! Saunas get your heart beating and your blood circulating, helping the body to detoxify in unique and important ways. Toxins do the damage, and saunas help with damage control. Saunas or other treatments help to accomplish detoxification in the following manner: A layer of fat and oil exists just below the surface of the skin. Heat from the sauna increases skin temperature, causing those fats and oils to "melt" and ooze out of the skin's oil glands. As sweat and oil are secreted, the toxins dissolved in them are secreted as well. By excreting these toxins and then washing them off your body, your toxic load is lowered and cellular health improves.

Choose a temperature that can be tolerated for an extended period of time-thirty minutes to an hour or more. The point is not to sweat out a lot of water, but to rid your body of oil-soluble toxins. Our skin contains sweat glands and oil glands, both of which help us detoxify. Sweat gets rid of water-soluble toxins, and even helps to eliminate toxic heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. Oil glands help remove oil-soluble toxins that the body would otherwise have a difficult time eliminating. We have created a world filled with oil-soluble toxins such as gasoline, solvents, pesticides and ingredients in toothpaste and personal care products, and the body is not able to dispose of them efficiently. The longer the skin is heated, the more oil-soluble toxins are eliminated.

Be careful not to overheat! The challenge is finding an environment where you can keep your skin temperature up for an extended period of time without overheating or dehydrating. Overheating and perhaps feeling dizzy can happen easily if you stay in a steam room, a hot tub or the top bench of a hot sauna too long. Choose a "low temperature" sauna (110-120 degrees), and use it for an extended period of time-an hour or more is best-though you may have to work up to this duration gradually. Remember: Drinking adequate amounts of water before, during and after your sauna is essential in order to prevent dehydration.

A good supplement program, containing fat-mobilizing vitamins and essential fatty acids makes the sauna even more effective. Be sure to shower afterwards; prevent those toxins from reabsorbing back into your body by washing with a nontoxic Castile soap.

Taking saunas or other "heat treatments" is not a luxury, but like exercise, is a physical responsibility and an important element of the physical responsibility and an important element of the physical pathway. Incorporating saunas after exercise is even better. Exercise begins to mobilize toxins and saunas continue the process. You may need to make a few sauna visits before you can tolerate extended periods of time, but the benefits of these heat treatments are incredible. These treatments feel good for very good reasons; they provide beneficial physical stimulation-including increased lymphatic and cardiovascular circulation, as well as the removal of toxins-all of which are good for the health and function of your cells.

Detox: Infrared Sauna vs. Conventional Sauna

In one study performed by American researchers, the sweat of people using a conventional sauna was found to be 95 to 97% water while the sweat of those using an Far-Infrared thermal system was 80 to 85% water with the non-water portion principally cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals (such as aluminum and mercury, one of most toxic elements on earth, second only to plutonium), sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and uric acid. This unusually high concentration of heavy metals and other fat-soluble toxins is not found in the sweat from normal exercise.

Hyperthermic detoxification using these saunas is not only uniquely helpful in removing fat-stored toxins from the body, but also as an adjunct to mercury removal. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., of Seattle, who has been called “the holistic doctors’ doctor and teacher,” is one of the pioneers in combining the use of Far-Infrared saunas with the chelating agent DMPS in a heavy metal detox protocol.

Dr. Klinghardt explains, “Since hyperthermic sauna therapy removes metal contaminants from the body, we have found that it may be used to further the benefits derived from chelation therapy. And we have also found that it may be an alternative for those who are unable to undergo chelation. Research conducted by U.S. scientists has demonstrated that close to 80% of individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome will improve markedly by a guided detoxification program. We combine this approach with hyperthermic therapy using the Far-Infrared sauna, as well as exercise and chelation. The results we are seeing are very promising.

Dr. Klinghardt adds, “If Far-Infrared saunas work, why wait to use them? People need information about what nutrients and minerals to take, how to stay hydrated, and a reminder to shower after the sauna. It’s not going to do much good to spend time detoxifying if you don’t wash off those toxins afterwards. And don’t overlook the importance of educating yourself and your children about sources of environmental toxins and allergens. Your future health depends on it!”

This information is for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances or medical conditions. It may not be right for you and if you are in doubt about your health always consult your doctor for medical advice.