INFRARED

RADIATION

INTRODUCTION

• Infrared heat therapy rooted from ancient Chinese healing called “Palm

Healing”. The palms radiate enough infrared energy through the skin.

• That heat from the

hand helps in the

healing process.

• This is the same principle for infrared lamps in radiating heat for different

healing purposes.

‫سكب‬

INTRODUCTION

Infrared heat is a form of energy that radiates heat directly to an object but

does not cause the air around the object to get warm.

• Infrared heat

is also called

radiant heat.

‫سكب‬

Definition

• Infrared radiation (IRR) are electro magnetic waves with wavelength extended

from 760 nm to 10000 nm ( nanometers) or .76microns to 1000microns.

• The frequency is between 1- 430 Hz

• Infrared light has a wavelength that is longer than visible light.

‫سكب‬

Classification of IRR

Types

Wave length ‫سكب‬ Penetration

IRA (short or near 760 to 1400 nm

Up to 5mm reach to

dermis
✅

IRB (long or far

1400 to 3000 nm UP to 1 mm to

IR)

epidermis

IRC

3000nm to Not used

✅
15000nm therapeutically ✅

‫مهمه‬

Uses of infrared radiation

• Relief of pain and Increase joint ROM.

• To enhance the healing of soft tissue lesions and skin condition.

• Strengthens the immune system

‫ممكن مقالي صح وخطأ او اختياري‬

Uses of infrared radiation

• Good for relaxing and managing stress

• Can help in achieving youthful and beautiful skin

• Can provide heat/warm during cold seasons especially for elders.

١١/٩ ‫تاريخ تحديد الشباتر‬

Sources of Infrared

‫اذكري مصادر االنفراريد‬ • Sources of IRR

• Natural

• Artificial

• Natural sources

Example ; The Sun

• Artificial sources

various kinds of IR sources are used by

physical therapists in clinical practice and

they are subdivided into two types

1. Luminous generator

2. Non luminous generator

Luminous sources

• Consists of electrically heated filament made of tungsten and carbon within a

glass bulb is silvered to provide a reflector.

• Emission - Luminous sources emit mainly short or near IR A (760-1400nm) –

Depth of penetration 5mm -10mm

• Visible light + few ultraviolet .

‫سكب للشرح والكالم‬

Non luminous sources

• Non luminous sources are those which produce infrared

radiation from a non glowing source, such as moist heat

packs and non luminous IR lamp

• Non luminous infrared consist of a coiled resistance wire

which embedded within a ceramic insulating material.

‫سكب للشرح والكالم‬

• Emission - Non luminous sources emit mainly long or far IR

B.

Non Luminous type

• Far-Infrared

• Wavelength: 1,500 to >3000 nm

• Thermal Effects:

• Depth of penetration < 2mm

• Less penetrating than Near-Infrared

• Skin feels warmer

• Energy formed by metal coil

• Ex. electric stove or space heater

• Invisible to human eye

‫سكب للشرح والكالم‬

The Features of an IRR Lamp

Power - Infrared lamps comes in various size and power

from 250 to 1500 watts.

•

They have long life. Usually, they have at maximum

10,000 hours of burning time.

•
They are available in such a way that they can either

be used horizontally or vertically.

•

Mostly has high temperature end seals or protective

covers.

Built in timers differ usually from 60 to 90 minutes.

‫التغيرات مهمه‬
Physiological effect of IRR

• Infrared radiation is considered as superficial heating modality

‫ممكن يجي منه اسئله لكن مافيه اشرحي‬ 1 - Nerve stimulation

• IRR stimulates thermal heat receptors in the skin which gives awareness of the

heating.

• Increase sensory

nerve conduction

velocity which

influence sensory

response via

increase in

endorphin release.

2 - Blood supply

• IRR increase blood supply in the superficial tissue. This effect is due to

vasodilatation of capillaries caused by increase liberation of histamine like

substances.

3 - Phagocytosis

•
This process increased with temperature , and if there is superficial inflammation ,

heating will promote phagocytosis

4 - Pigmentation and Erythema

• IRR causes a reddening of skin , which is a gentle erythematic that disappears

quickly. Local erythema occurs immediately after exposure to IRR and Lasts 30

minutes after treatment has finished.

• Repeated exposure

causes stimulation

of melanin and

‫ ⬅يؤدي‬leads to darkening

of the skin

‫ على منطقة البطن لزيادة الدورة الدموية الطرفية عن‬IRR ‫• يمكن تطبيق‬

‫طريق تحفيز مركز تنظيم الحرارة في النخاع الذي يعزز توسع األوعية‬

.‫املحيطية لتنظيم درجة الحرارة بسرعة‬

5. Reflex heating

• IRR can be applied to the abdominal area to increase

peripheral circulation by stimulating the heat regulating

center in the medulla which promote dilatation of the

peripheral vessels to regulate the temperature quickly.

6 - Sweating and Tissue healing

• Due to increase the activity of sweat glands by reflex

stimulation of HRC (Heat Regulating Center) to cool the

skin.

• While the light is penetrating into body it can work to

stimulate collagen and elastin productions in the body.

• This will help body release nitric oxide which is designed to relax blood vessels and

reduce the chance of a blood clot occurring.
•
This helps to improve the circulation of blood, which will in turn increase the recovery

of the injured muscle or tissue.

7 - Blood pressure

• Normal dose 15 to 20 minutes not alter the blood pressure but if heating is given

to a large area of the body for a prolonged time there will be a fall in blood

pressure due to generalized vasodilatation and reduce peripheral resistance to

arterioles.

8. Increase efficacy of muscle action

• Rise in temperature causes muscle fibers to contract and relax more quickly.

9. Increase metabolism

• Increase metabolic activities lead to

improve cell function and improve tissue

healing as well as increases output of

waste product.

‫ممكن تعداد‬
Therapeutic effectes of IRR

• Relieves Pain.

• Reduces muscle spasm.

• Relaxation of muscle .

• Increase range of motion and decrease joint stiffness.

Therapeutic effectes of IRR

• Edema.

• Healing of tissues.

‫االلتهابات الحاده او شبه مزمنه‬

• Treatment of joint arthritis and other sub acute or chronic

inflammatory lesion.

• Before stretching and mobilizing exercises.

‫قبل تمارين اإلطالة والتعبئة‬

Contraindication of IRR

• Impaired sensation.

• Acute injury or Acute inflammation.

• Acute infection.

• Impaired circulation.

• Dermatological conditions.

• Metal on or inside the body.

• Have very high fever

• Patients with pacemaker

Contraindication of IRR

• Over Pregnant uterus.

• Eyes.

• Topical creams and oils.

I love you ♥ • Blood pressure abnormalities.

• Sever cardiac condition.
• Unreliable patients.
• Have tuberculosis
• Severe arteriole sclerosis
 Contraindication of IRR

• Very old people.

• The testes of men.
• Analgesic and narcotic drugs.
• Deep X ray therapy before 3 months.
• Over or near malignant tissue.
• Danger of hemorrhage (hemophilia)
• Have otitis media
Dangers with IRR

• Burn
• Lowered Blood pressure
• Cataract
• Dehydration
 ‫تعداد‬
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages.
1. IR, can be used to treat large areas.
2. Patients may teach to apply IR for home use.

Disadvantages.
1. Heating is only very superficial
2. Equipment is often rather unstable .
3. It is often difficult to position the patient and the lamp so
that the lamp is directly over any art of the patient .
‫ابي بريك ببجي لو‬
🌚 ‫سمحتي‬
 Practical Application of IRR
• Preparation of the patient
• Clean sweat and dirt, remove jewelry, and fit infrared goggles (if applicable) for
patient
• Preparation of the equipment
• Equipment: Lamp, dry toweling, moist toweling
• Technique of application.
 Care of equipment

1. Inside Non luminous generators the

reflector which must be shiny
because this will alter the reflection
of the rays to the patient .

2. Both the generator must be kept

dust free.
 Duration Intensity and Frequency of
treatment
• Acute case. 15 minute up to 20 minutes according to the area of treatment.
• Chronic case. 20 minutes up to 30 minutes.
• Distance from the lamp is usually 20 inches – but variation in this will alter the
intensity of IRR
• Treatment may be given every day or on alternate days.
 IRR application precautions

• Make sure that nothing is touching the lamp when you are using it. You can use a
soft brush to wipe off dust in the dust in the radiation plates.

• Don’t use the lamp if it is wet. Wait for it to completely dry before proceeding
with using it.
 IRR application precautions

• The distance between the lamp and the affected area should be as close as possible
but should also be comfortable.

• Proper supervision is important for patients that have lost skin sensitivity.

• If lamp will be used for facial treatments, appropriate measures should be done to
protect the eyes.