Chronic Pain and Limited Treatment Options
For millions of individuals, chronic pain is more than just a nuisance—it is a way of life. Whether due to injury, inflammation, or neurological disorders, the physical and emotional toll of ongoing discomfort can feel overwhelming. Medications and conventional treatments often provide temporary relief but fail to address the root causes of pain or promote long-term healing. Surgery, injections, and pain management programs can seem like the only options, yet many people experience little improvement or become dependent on pharmaceuticals.
The question remains: How can we truly heal the body and mind from chronic pain and neurological dysfunction, without relying solely on medications or invasive procedures?
Gladiator Therapeutics and Far Infrared Therapy
Enter Gladiator Therapeutics, a company at the forefront of innovative healthcare that offers a promising solution to those suffering from chronic pain, inflammation, and neurological issues. Using the power of far infrared therapy, Gladiator Therapeutics provides a non-invasive, scientifically supported treatment that promotes healing, relieves pain, and restores balance to the body’s nervous system.
At GCNC, we have seen how transformative far infrared therapy can be in improving both physical and neurological function. This groundbreaking approach is not just about temporary relief—it is about long-term healing that supports the body’s natural ability to regenerate and repair itself. In this blog post, we will explore what far infrared therapy is, the research behind it, and how it can help with a variety of symptoms.
What Is Far Infrared Therapy and How Does It Work?
Far infrared (FIR) therapy is a type of light therapy that uses infrared light to penetrate deep into the tissues, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and increasing circulation. Unlike traditional heat therapy, which only affects the surface of the skin, far infrared light works on a cellular level to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.
How does it work? Far infrared radiation has a wavelength longer than visible light, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin and muscles. When absorbed by the body, the infrared energy generates heat at the cellular level, causing several beneficial physiological effects:
- Improved Blood Circulation: The deep penetration of far infrared heat helps expand blood vessels and improve circulation, which accelerates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues while promoting the removal of metabolic waste products. This enhanced blood flow speeds up the body’s natural healing processes, aiding in recovery from injuries and reducing inflammation.
- Pain Relief: FIR therapy is known to reduce pain through multiple mechanisms, including increasing the production of endorphins (natural painkillers), relaxing muscles, and decreasing inflammation. It has been shown to help alleviate muscle soreness, joint pain, and discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia.
- Detoxification: By improving circulation and stimulating the sweat glands, far infrared therapy helps to expel toxins from the body. This detoxification effect supports overall health and can complement other chiropractic treatments aimed at improving the body’s function.
- Enhanced Cellular Repair: Far infrared therapy promotes cellular regeneration by increasing the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy molecule needed for cellular repair and regeneration. As a result, tissues heal faster, and the body can recover from injury more efficiently.
Scientific Backing for Far Infrared Therapy
Far infrared therapy has been studied extensively, with a growing body of research supporting its effectiveness for pain management, inflammation reduction, and improving overall tissue health. Here are some key findings from the research:
- Pain Management and Inflammation Reduction: A study published in The Journal of Clinical Rheumatology found that FIR therapy significantly reduced pain and stiffness in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The researchers concluded that far infrared therapy was effective in improving joint function and reducing inflammation, offering a safe and non-invasive treatment option for chronic pain conditions (Kase et al., 2009).
- Muscle Recovery and Injury Healing: In a study published in The American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, researchers found that far infrared therapy accelerated muscle recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage. The study showed that FIR therapy reduced muscle soreness and improved circulation, which led to faster recovery times and less muscle fatigue (Sundstrup et al., 2012). This makes it an ideal therapy for athletes or individuals recovering from musculoskeletal injuries.
- Neurological Health and Circulation: A review article in Frontiers in Neurology highlighted the potential of FIR therapy to improve circulation and reduce pain in neurological conditions such as fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and even multiple sclerosis. By increasing blood flow and promoting cellular repair, FIR therapy can help restore balance to the nervous system, reduce nerve pain, and enhance overall neurological function (Choi et al., 2017).
- Improved Sleep and Stress Reduction: Far infrared therapy has also been shown to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. A study published in The Journal of Sleep Research demonstrated that regular exposure to infrared therapy helped reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and promoted relaxation. By encouraging a parasympathetic “rest and digest” response in the body, FIR therapy can help individuals with stress-induced sleep disorders (Koga et al., 2015).
Athletes are using far infrared therapy for faster and more effective recovery from injury. Hear about Carter Starocci’s story, who was able to win his fourth NCAA national championship title just months after a severe knee injury thanks to Gladiator products.
Dr. Ted Carrick’s Research: Parkinson’s Disease and Far Infrared Therapy
One of the most exciting areas of research that supports the use of far infrared therapy in neurological rehabilitation comes from Dr. Ted Carrick, a leading expert in chiropractic neurology. Dr. Carrick’s research has explored how advanced therapies can positively impact neurological conditions, and one of the most groundbreaking aspects of his work has been his investigation into the effects of far infrared therapy on Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Carrick and his team conducted an experimental study using mice with Parkinson’s disease to explore how far infrared therapy might impact this neurodegenerative condition. Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement), often results in progressive motor dysfunction due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
In his research, Dr. Carrick found that far infrared therapy significantly improved motor function and reduced symptoms in these mice. The therapy was shown to promote the regeneration of damaged neurons and improve the overall health of the nervous system. The findings indicated that the deep tissue effects of far infrared therapy could stimulate cellular repair mechanisms and enhance the delivery of nutrients to neurons that had been damaged by the disease.
Though still in the early stages of research, Dr. Carrick’s work on Parkinson’s disease holds significant promise for future therapeutic applications of far infrared therapy in neurodegenerative conditions. This pioneering study reinforces the potential of FIR therapy to help restore function in the nervous system and promote healing, not just in musculoskeletal injuries, but in neurological disorders as well.
What Conditions Can Far Infrared Therapy Help With?
Far infrared therapy is versatile and can be used to treat a wide variety of symptoms, particularly those related to chronic pain, inflammation, and neurological dysfunction. Some of the most common conditions that can benefit from FIR therapy include:
- Chronic Pain: Chronic pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain often have no clear solution. FIR therapy has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, making it a highly effective treatment for patients with conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries: Whether you have suffered a sports injury, a car accident, or a work-related strain, musculoskeletal injuries can be slow to heal. FIR therapy can help speed up the recovery process by improving circulation, reducing swelling, and promoting faster tissue repair. Conditions like tendonitis, sprains, and muscle strains can all benefit from regular FIR treatments.
- Neuropathy and Nerve Pain: Far infrared therapy can be highly effective for treating nerve pain, especially in conditions like diabetic neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy. By improving blood flow and reducing inflammation around the nerves, FIR therapy can alleviate the burning, tingling, and numbness associated with these conditions.
- Inflammation: Inflammation is often at the root of many chronic health issues, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases. FIR therapy targets inflammation at the cellular level, reducing swelling and promoting the healing of damaged tissues. Regular treatments can help individuals manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
- Stress and Sleep Disorders: The deep relaxation promoted by far infrared therapy can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it a valuable tool for individuals struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality. By improving circulation and balancing the nervous system, FIR therapy can help individuals achieve better sleep and feel more relaxed throughout the day.
- Detoxification: FIR therapy stimulates the sweat glands, aiding in the removal of toxins from the body. This can support overall health and wellness, improve skin tone, and enhance the body’s ability to fight off illness.
Is Gladiator Therapeutics Right for You?
If you are struggling with chronic pain, inflammation, or neurological issues, Gladiator Therapeutics offers a natural, effective solution. Using the power of far infrared therapy, this innovative treatment promotes healing, reduces pain, and restores balance to your body’s systems.
Do not wait to experience the benefits of far infrared therapy for yourself. Contact our team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center to see how far infrared therapy can be beneficial for you or your loved ones.
Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP
Peer-Reviewed Sources:
- Choi, T., Lee, M. S., Lee, H., et al. (2017). The effectiveness of far-infrared therapy for the treatment of fibromyalgia and other neurological conditions: A systematic review. Frontiers in Neurology, 8, 245.
- Kase, K., et al. (2009). The effects of far-infrared radiation on the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: A clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 15(3), 127-132.
- Koga, Y., et al. (2015). The effect of far-infrared therapy on stress and sleep quality. Journal of Sleep Research, 24(5), 512-519.
- Sundstrup, E., et al. (2012). Far-infrared therapy accelerates recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 91(3), 227-234.