“Heat up” your New Year with Far Infrared Bodywrap

Did you know your could lie back, breath deeply & burn 900+
calories in 1 hour?

Neither did I…

And it sounded too good to be true so I did some research on my
own to find out about this seemingly wonderful bodywrap
treatment. First I had to try it. Let’s face it if it doesn’t
feel great and get results it isn’t worth doing all of the
research on finding out how it works and all the rest. So I
dressed up in my cotton sweats and drove up to Ventura
California to try it out. Hydrating and drinking my water as I
headed up highway 101.

Before the bodywrap, I measured the circumference of my upper
arms, ribcage, waist, hips and upper thighs before the first
treatment and kept it as a reference. I was really skeptical,
but you never know unless you try it. I didn’t expect to have
any change.

I laid down on a table and 6 large warm pads were wrapped
around my upper arms, waist, hips and thighs. Then I was covered
with a blanket and padded with towels where it was appropriate
and it was that easy. I could hear relaxing music and actually
it was wonderful to do a breathing meditation and actually take
an hour for myself. Now I’m sort of a lizard – I love the heat -
so the pads got warmer and warmer and I broke put is a good
sweat. I continued to sweat, a lot. I hadn’t sweat that much
since the dance classes I had loved back at Broadway Dance
center a few summers ago in New York City and I knew I would
love this treatment. I had been busy building a business and
going back to school so I had not been keeping myself in shape
like I did before. I had a thought that this bodywrap thing
might be a good way to start to get myself back on track.

After an hour, I was drenched – and very happy. I re-measured
myself and lost 3 inches total. Not much, but the treatment felt
so good it didn’t matter too much and I drove home drinking
another huge bottle of water. The gentleman who helped me with
the treatment said that the process would continue overnight
after the bodywrap had finished and the more fluids the better
so I took his advice and planned to measure myself again in the
morning.

To my surprise, after measuring myself the next morning I had
lost 13 inches total! Wow! I called them up and they said that
this was more than average – maybe because I have a good diet
and stayed hydrated – but regardless I was psyched. I had to
learn more…

So how does this Infrared BodyWrap Work?

Infrared light, which we feel in our bodies as heat is an
abundant form of energy we receive from sunlight. We as humans
radiate infrared heat every second of every day (The army uses
infrared binoculars for night vision – to see humans in the
darkness). It is part of our human biology. I would discover
that FAR Infrared treatments are used worldwide by medical
practitioners as they are one of the most resonant (closely
matched) forms of heat for the human body.

Radiant Heat or Infrared energy is a form of energy that is
part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Everything can be
described by electrical principles after all we are all
electrons protons and neutrons arranged in different patterns.
The infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum happens just
below red light waves and is not visible to human eyes but can
be felt as heat. (This explains the night vision binoculars
example above). The sun produces most of its energy in the form
of infrared energy, our atmosphere allows it in and the earth
radiates it back – living out in nature we are daily surrounded
by infrared waves. But not so – in these days of indoor living,
SPF sunblock and hiding away from the sun.

Our bodies, on average, radiate infrared energy at about 9.4
microns. The internal production of infrared energy that
normally occurs within us is associated with a number of healing
responses and may require a boost to assist the fullest healing
response to assist homeostasis, metabolism and tissue under
repair.

As related to Oriental / Chinese Medicine, when our circulation
is impeded (described as Blocked Qi flow in Chinese Medicine)
our body’s healing capacity, metabolism, and daily functioning
are diminished. By enhancing circulation, the infrared
therapeutic treatment is helping to unblock the Qi and increase
energy and improve body function. Moxa, cupping, Infrared lamps
and gua sha are related but different methods of achieving the
same result in an Oriental Medicine Treatment.

Because of this special nature of the wavelength, when applied
as a treatment, FAR Infrared heat therapy (i.e. bodywrap)
activates a more thorough and extensive stimulation of local
circulation which positively impacts enzymes, metabolism &
immune function. The IR therapy helps the body get at toxins &
cellulite trapped in the tissue through this increase in
circulation and metabolism. The bodywrap treatment I had
received had “super charged” this process.

So how does all this calorie burning happen?

The amount of sweat an infrared treatment can induce is 2-3
times that of a conventional sauna without creating that
claustrophobic feeling, without drying out the sauna or causing
undue stress on the cardiovascular system. I know I can barely
stay in a regular sauna for 10 minutes – I lasted easily 1 hour
in this bodywrap treatment. The best research on this type of
infrared treatment has described “Its regular use may be as
effective as a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning
of calories as regular exercise.” in the Journal of the American
Medical Association 8/7/81. In fact, NASA in the early 1980′s
concluded that infrared therapy would be an ideal way to
stimulate cardiovascular function during long space missions.

Someone not used to saunas can easily sweat 500 grams and
consume 300 kcalories which is the equivalent of jogging for 30
minutes. The bodywrap is a great in between workouts way to ease
the stiffness and once becoming acclimated to the sauna -
burning up to 900+ calories are achieved each session. But
remember – Hydration is very important you need to constantly
replenish the fluids to see results.

The benefits of Infrared Therapy are impressive. Research from
Sweden, Japan, Finland, China and Germany cite an impressive
list of conditions that can be treated, including:

Arthritis & Joint Stiffness Acne Soft Tissue Injuries
Menstrual Pain Eczema Wound Healing Neurodermatitis GI
Problems Cardiovascular Circulation Pain & Stiffness Collagen
Metabolic Changes Weight Loss Endocrine, Immune and
Autonomic Function

The FDA has approved the use of FAR infrared treatment for pain
relief and more is learned each day. I have more research to do
but this was good enough for me. I decided that I wanted to try
it again and learn more.

So now I offer it in my practice and medspa… I hope that I’ve
opened your eyes to something that might be new, different and
helpful. I’ve given you a place to start if it sounds
interesting to you as well. Or come experience it for yourself
if you’re in the Los Angeles Area. I think you’ll be pleasantly
surprised.

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