Radiant
heat is also called Infrared Energy (IR). The infrared
segment of the electromagnetic spectrum is divided into
3 segments by wavelength, measured in microns or micrometers
(a micron = 1/1,000,000 of a meter); 0.076 ~ 1.5 microns
= near or close; 1.5 ~ 5.6 = middle or intermediate; 5.6
~ 1,000 = far or long wave infrared. The infrared segment
of the electromagnetic spectrum occurs just below or ¡°infra¡±
to red light as the next lowest energy band of light.
This band of light is not visible to human eyes but can
be seen by special cameras that translate infrared into
colors visible to our eyes. We can, however, feel this
type of light that we perceive as heat.
It has nothing to do with either ultraviolet radiation
(which gives you a sunburn and damages your skin) or atomic
radiation (the kind from a nuclear bomb). Radiant heat
is simply a form of energy that heats objects directly
through a process called conversion, without having to
heat the air in between. Our sun produces most of its
energy output in the infrared segment of the spectrum.
Our atmosphere has a window± in it that allows
IR rays in the 7 ~ 14 micron range to safely reach the
earth's surface. When warmed, the earth radiates infrared
rays in the 7 ~ 14 micron band with its peak output at
10 microns.
According to Dr. Tsu-Tsair Oliver Chi in his summation
on the mechanism of actions of infrared devices tuned
to the human body, these rays are selectively absorbed
by the tissues needing a boost in their output. The internal
production of infrared energy that normally occurs within
our tissues is associated with a variety of healing responses
and may require a boost to a maximal level to insure the
fullest healing response possible in a tissue under repair.
Harmlessly. This phenomenon is called ¡°resonant
absorption.¡± The sun is the principal source
of radiant energy that we experience daily.
Have you ever been outside on a partly cloudy spring
day of about 50¡× and felt quite comfortable
when the sun was suddenly obscured by a cloud? Although
the air temperature had not had time to drop, you felt
chilled, as the cloud would not let the warming infrared
rays through to reach you.
Our palms emit infrared energy at between 8 ~ 14 microns.
Palm healing, which has a 3,000 year- old tradition in
China, has been based on the healing properties of these
natural infrared rays. The Yogis of India also use such
palm healing and recommend it especially for relieving
eye strain. Sauna use has been popularized by the Finns
whose old religion used it as a ceremony for mental, spiritual
and physical cleansing. This religion came with the Finns
when they migrated from an area northwest of present day
Tibet, between 5,000 ~ 3,000 year BC, to their present
location in Finland. The Chinese researchers consider
the band from 2 ~ 25 microns as the most therapeutic.
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