Abstract Infrared radiation is increasingly and uncritically used for cosmetic and wellness purposes, despite the poorly understood biologic effects of such treatments on humans. In the present study, we investigated the effects of infrared radiation on collagen and...
Infrared Sauna
Biological effect of infrared therapy on increasing skin microcirculation in rats
Abstract 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)...
The effects of repeated thermal therapy for patients with chronic pain
Abstract Background: It has been reported that local thermal therapy with a hot pack or paraffin relieves pain. We hypothesized that systemic warming may decrease pain and improve the outcomes in patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to clarify the...
Effects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure
Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to determine whether repeated 60 degrees C sauna treatment improves cardiac arrhythmias in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, because ventricular arrhythmias are an important therapeutic target in CHF. Methods...
Clinical implications of thermal therapy in lifestyle-related diseases
Abstract Systemic thermal therapy, such as taking a warm-water bath and sauna, induces systemic vasodilation. It was found that repeated sauna therapy (60 degrees C for 15 min) improved hemodynamic parameters, clinical symptoms, cardiac function, and vascular...
Cutaneous Effects of Infrared Radiation: From Clinical Observations to Molecular Response Mechanisms
Abstract Human skin is exposed to infrared (IR) radiation (760 nm-1 mm) from natural as well as artificial sources that are increasingly used for cosmetic or medical purposes. Epidemiological data and clinical observations, however, indicate that IR radiation cannot...
Repeated Sauna Treatment Improves Vascular Endothelial and Cardiac Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism by which 60 degrees C sauna treatment improves cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Background: We have previously reported that repeated 60 degrees C sauna...
Some Endocrine Responses to Sauna, Shower and Ice Water Immersion.
Abstract Nine winter swimmer men were exposed to: (A) sauna and ice water immersion; (B) sauna and 15 degrees C shower; (C) sauna and room temperature; (D) head-out ice-water immersion and room temperature. The exposures were repeated and ended with a recumbent...
Haemodynamic and hormonal responses to heat exposure in a Finnish sauna bath
Abstract Eight healthy young men were studied during three periods of heat exposure in a Finnish sauna bath: at 80 degrees C dry bulb (80 D) and 100 degrees C dry bulb (100 D) temperatures until subjective discomfort, and in 80 degrees C dry heat, becoming humid (80...