INTRODUCTION

➢Infrared rays are electromagnetic waves.

➢It lies between visible light and microwaves.
➢Wavelength: 750 nm to 400000 nm.
➢Frequency: 4×1014 Hz and 7.5×1011 Hz.
 TY P E S OF
INFRA R E D
RADIATION
➢INFRARED RADIATIONS ARE SUBDIVIDED INTO:
Type Wavelength
IRA 760-1400 nm
IRB 1400-3000 nm
IRC 3000nm –
1mm
Former classification
Near or short IRR 760-1500 nm
Far or Long IRR 1500-15000nm
 TY P E S OF IR
LAMPS
➢Two types of infrared sources are used
in physiotherapy practice:
➢(a) Non-luminous generators
➢(b) Luminous generators
 Non luminous generators
➢Also known as low temperature generators.
➢Produces only infra-red rays of wavelength 750
nm to 15000 nm.
➢These generators are heated by passage of
electric current through a bare wire or carbon,
held in a non-conducting material like
porcelain, mounted in the centre of parabolic
reflector.
➢For recent injury, sedative effect of non
luminous generators may prove more useful.
Non luminous generators
 Luminous generators
➢Also known as high temperature generators.
➢Emits visible rays, ultraviolet rays, and infra-red
rays of wavelength 350 nm to 4000 nm.
➢Are in the form of incandescent bulb – consist
of a wire filament enclosed in a glass bulb
which may contain inert gas at low pressure.
➢Filament made of tungsten as it
tolerates repeated heating and cooling.
➢For lesion of more chronic type the effect of
shorter rays may prove to be of value and under
these circumstances a luminous generator is
used.
Luminous generator in form of incandescent bulb
 ABSORPTIO
N striking the surface of the
➢Some radiations
skin will be reflected and some will penetrate,
scattered, refracted and ultimately absorbed.
➢Close to 95% of the radiation applied
perpendicular to the skin is absorbed.
➢Water and proteins are strong absorbers of
infrared.
➢Any radiation entering into the skin
depends on : Structure, vascularity,
pigmentation of skin, wavelength of
radiation.
 LAWS REGULATING
ABSORPTION OF RADIATION
❖Grothus-Drapper law
❖Law of inverse square
❖Cosine law
❖Beer-Lambert law
❖Kirchhoff’s law
❖Wien’s law
❖Arndt-Schultz principle
❖Stefan-Boltzman law
 PENETRATIO
N by Luminous generators
➢IR rays produced
can penetrate into dermis and epidermis.
➢IR rays produced by Non-luminous
generators can penetrate the superficial
dermis only.
➢Penetration of energy into a medium is
depended upon :
a) Intensity of the source of infrared
b) Wavelength and frequency
c) Angle at which the radiation hits the surface
d) Coefficient of absorption of the material.
Depth of penetration
 PHYSIOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
➢Increases metabolic rate
➢Cutaneous vasodilatation
➢Sweating
➢Stimulation of thermal heat
receptors.
 THERAPEUTIC
USES
➢Relief of pain
➢Muscle relaxation
➢Increased blood supply
➢Increase in joint mobility
➢Acceleration of healing and repair.
 DANGERS
➢Burns
➢Electric shock
➢Faintness or
giddiness
➢Headache
➢Gangrene
➢Injury to the eyes
➢dehydration
 TE CH N IQUE OF
A PPLICA T ION
➢Patient position: Position the patient in a
suitable, well supported position with the
area to be treated exposed.
 TE CH N IQUE OF
A PPLICA T ION
➢Explanation: Explain the nature and
effects of the treatment to the patient

➢Examination: examine the skin to be

treated and test the thermal sensation and
also check for contraindication
 CONTRAINDICATIONS
➢ Defective arterial blood supply
➢ Haemorrhage
➢ Defective skin sensation
➢ Over pelvic region during pregnancy
➢ Varicose veins
➢ Known cases of tumors
➢ Directly over the eyes
➢ Patient whose consciousness is lowered
➢ After deep X-ray and cobalt therapy
➢ Acute skin disease like dermatitis or eczema
➢ Advanced cardiac disorders.
➢ Patients who are in extremes of age
 APPARATUS
➢Non-luminous generators take some time
to get heated, so they should be switched
on before 5-7min of treatment.
➢Luminous generator needs no warm
up time and can be switched on once
the patient is ready for the treatment.
 A R R A N G E M E NT OF L A M P
A ND
➢Expose the skinPATIENT
to be irradiated and cover
or shield the eyes.
➢The lamp is positioned opposite to the
treatment area such that rays strike the skin
at right angles.
➢Set the lamp at an appropriate
distance which is usually 50-75 cm.
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
➢The patient is warned that he
should experience comfortable
warmth
➢Patient should report immediately if
the heating becomes excessive
➢Patient should not touch any part of
the lamp or to move nearer to it
 A PPLICA T ION
➢At the commencement of the treatment, intensity
of the radiation should be low but after 5-10
minutes(after vasodilatation) strength of radiation
can be increased
➢Physiotherapists should be near the patient
throughout the treatment.
➢Sweating is encouraged
 TERMINATION
➢On completion of the treatment the
skin should be checked carefully.
➢On palpation it may feel mildly or moderately
warm and a moderate erythema should be
evident.
➢After extensive irradiation the patient should
not rise suddenly from the recumbent position
or go out in cold therapy.
 DOSA G E
➢For acute cases irradiation with infra-red
rays can be given for 10 to 15 minutes daily
for 1 to 3 times as per the requirement.
➢For chronic cases upto 30 minutes once
(daily) or on alternate days can be given.
 REFERENCE
❖Electrotherapy explained (Low and Reed)
❖Basics of electrotherapy (Subhash Khatri)
❖Clayton 9th edition
❖Textbook of electrotherapy (Jagmohan Singh)
❖www.scribd.com (Sagar Naik’s notes)
❖Google
❖Electrotherapy evidence-based practice 12th
edition (Sheila Kitchen)