By Dr. Heather Kneale © June 2018
Tanya had sinus infections almost year round for several years. She took many antibiotics and tried many therapies to get rid of them. She got a sinus infection and started a single red heat lamp aimed at the sinuses (with eyes closed) for 5 minutes 4 times a day. After 6 days the sinus infection was gone!
Dotti had an acute respiratory infection. She started colloidal silver and short sauna sessions of 8 minutes 5x a day. Within 4 days the infection was no longer present.
Steve would wake up with hip and lower back pain. It took him a couple hours or more to fall back to sleep. He decided to get in the sauna for 5 to 10 minutes when he woke with pain. He found that he went back to sleep within minutes after a short sauna at night.
Infrared energy can penetrate the body several inches deep and help improve oxygenation, circulation, and hydration, get rid of harmful microorganisms, reduce pain, can help eliminate acute and chronic infections.
Why Use a Single Red Heat Lamp rather than a Near Infrared Sauna (enclosure with 3 to 4 red heat lamps)?
- Cannot tolerate heat
- Cannot afford a full sauna
- Do not have the room for a sauna
- Using it for children under 6 years old
- Women that are pregnant
- Using it for pets and large animals: do not put in a full sauna as they can overheat
- Only want to focus on one area
What Conditions Are Best Using a Single Red Heat Lamp?
- Ear
- Nose
- Sinuses
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Knee pain
- Back pain
- Bladder issues
- Others
Where to get a Single Red Heat Lamp
Many hardware stores will have a 250 watt reddish heat lamp such as Lowes, Orchard Supply, and Home Depot. You may also find them at Walmart and Target stores. I have been asked if one brand is better than another and the answer is no. As long as it is a reddish 250 watt infrared heat lamp it will work.
Make sure when you purchase a red heat lamp that you also get a brooder clamp with a guard.
Here is a link to the brooder clamp with guard: Brooder Lamp (needed for inserting heat lamp) affilate
Link for a 250 watt red heat lamp: The Best Red Heat Lamp affilate
See pictures below:
How to Use a Single Red Heat Lamp
Once bulb is fastened into the brooder clamp, it can be clamped to a chair, drawer, or shelf. Sit comfortably 18” to 30” away from the heat lamp and aim desired area toward the light.
- Clothing should not be covering the site you want to work on
- Aim heat lamp at the desired area
- Keep the heat lamp about 18” to 30” distance from area
- If using it on head area (ears, sinuses, etc.) use it no more than 5 minutes at a time (less for children). ALWAYS keep eyes closed when aiming light at head area.
- Can be used 5 to 60 minutes per session
- Move the lamp back and forth slightly or move the body part it is directed toward
Relief can be noticed within 2-3 days for some acute issues. Most clients report improvement with 4 to 7 days.
Cautions When Using a Single Red Heat Lamp
- Use for no more than 5 minutes at a time when aiming directly at the head area (less for children)
- Do not aim a red heat lamp at or near a baby’s head or face
- Avoid aiming heat lamp at one spot for more than a few minutes: keeping the heat lamp on one spot can make the skin temporarily reddish
- Eyes need to remain closed if using the heat lamp on the head area
- Avoid clear bulbs as we do find that the red color has healing properties
- Use a brooder clamp with a guard. You can get burned very quickly if you accidentally touch the heat lamp. The guard will help protect you.
- Do not keep it on one spot if you feel a burning sensation
- For a new injury, wait at least 24 hours before using a single red heat lamp
- Avoid splashing with water when in use as it could cause the lamp to break
- Rosacea may become irritated by the heat
- Stop session if notice pain and discomfort during use
- Avoid applying any kind of oil, lotion or skin cream to your skin before use
DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article is strictly educational and is not, in any way, meant to be prescriptive or to constitute professional medical advice. The information provided is designed to be used in conjunction with the guidance of a healthcare professional. The author assumes no responsibility for any presumed health effects associated with using this information.
References:
Alaland, M., Sweat, Capra Press, 1978.
Dinshaw, Darius, Let There Be Light, Practical Manual for Spectro-Chrome Therapy, Dinshaw Health Society, Malago, NJ, 2005.
Flickstein, A. , Infrared Thermal System For Whole-body Regenerative Radiant Therapy, Dascom Graphics, Santa Fe Springs, 1997.
Finnish Medical Society, Sauna and Your Health: Annals of Clinical Research, many technical articles distributed by the Sauna Society of America, 1988.
Johnson, T. and Miller, T., The Sauna Book, Harper and Row, New York, 1977.
Sylver, N., Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy, The Center for Frequency, Stone Ridge, NY, 2004.
Wilson, Lawrence, Sauna Therapy. L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc. 2006.
