INFRARED RADIATIONS

INTRODUCTION
● Electromagnetic waves
● Wavelengths - 750 nm - 4,00,000 nm
● Frequency - 4 X 1014 Hz and 7.5 X 1011 Hz
● Lies beyond the red boundary of visible spectrum
● Any hot body can produce infrared rays such as the sun, electric bulb, coal fire,
gas fire, hot water pipes, etc.
● Sun is the natural source of IRR.
● The greater the heating, the shorter will be the wavelength of the rays emitted.
● The rays travel through the ether until they encounter some medium which
absorbs them and produces heat.
● IRR can be produced by artificial generators as well.
● Various types of generator are employed in the physiotherapy
department, but they can be divided into two main groups, the non-
luminous and the luminous generators.
● Non-Luminous - produces IRR only
● Luminous - produces IRR, visible and UV rays
● Radiations from Non-luminous generator is termed as the infrared
radiation generators
● Radiations / heat generated from luminous generator is often
referred as radiant heat.
NON-LUMINOUS GENERATORS:

● Simple type of generator to produce infrared rays.

● Consists of a coil of wire wound on a cylinder of some insulating material
such as fireclay or porcelain.
● An electric current is passed through the wires and produces heat.
● Heat produces IRR which are transmitted through porcelain.
● Porcelain gets heated by conduction and it generates some visible rays.
● To avoid this, the coil is embedded in fireclay / porcelain or placed behind
fireclay.
● Emission of rays entirely from fireclay which is commonly painted black,
produces very few visible rays.
● Element / coil is placed at the focal point of a parabolic / spherical
reflector.
● The reflector is mounted on a stand and its position can be adjusted as
required.
● In another type of non-luminous generator, steel tube within which an
electric coil is embedded on some insulating material which is electrical
insulator but good conductor of heat is used.
● Electric current → passed through the central coil → heat is produced →
infrared rays are emitted.
● Construction of the outer part of the apparatus should be such that
the reflectors and other parts do not become excessive hot.
● There should be wire mesh surrounding the element.
● All these non-luminous generators take some time to get heated up
for the production of infrared radiations, so they should be switched
on 5-7 minutes before the treatment.
● The non-luminous elements produce infrared rays with wavelengths
between 150,000 and 7,700 Å or less if some visible rays are
emitted.
● The maximum emission of rays is in the region of 40,000 Å .
LUMINOUS GENERATORS:

● Luminous generators emit infrared, visible and a few ultraviolet rays.

● The rays emitted from the luminous generators are produced by one or
more incandescent lamps.
● An incandescent lamp consists of a wire filament enclosed in a glass
bulb, which may be evacuated or contain an inert gas at a low pressure.
● The filament is a coil of wire and is usually made of tungsten.
● Tungsten can tolerate repeated heating and cooling.
● Exclusion of air prevents oxidation of the filament, causes opaque
deposit to form on the inside of the bulb.
● Incandescent bulb is usually mounted at the center of the parabolic
reflector and the reflector is mounted on an adjustable stand.
● These luminous generators emit the electromagnetic waves with
wavelength between 350 nm and 4000 nm.
● The maximum proportion of the rays having wavelength in the
region 1000 nm.
● The front of the bulb is usually red so as to filter out the shorter
visible and the ultraviolet rays.
DEPTH OF PENETRATION

● Luminous generator produces infrared rays having wavelength between

350 nm and 4,000 nm.
● It can penetrate into dermis and epidermis of the subcutaneous tissue.
● Non Luminous generators produces infrared rays of wavelength 750 -
15,000 nm.
● It can penetrate into superficial dermis only.
● The depth of penetration depends upon the wavelength and the nature of
the material.
● Infrared rays produced from a luminous generator have more penetration
power than that produced from non luminous generator.
TECHNIQUES OF TREATMENT
THE CHOICE OF APPARATUS:

● In most cases luminous and nonluminous generators are equally

suitable, but in some instances one proves more satisfactory than the
other.
● During acute inflammation or recent injury, the sedative effect of rays
obtained from non luminous may prove more effective for relieving pain
than the counter-irritant effect of those from the luminous source.
● For chronic type, a luminous generator is chosen, the counter-irritant
effect of the shorter rays may prove to be of value.
● Selection of the generator according to the area to be treated is done.
● If only one surface is to be treated, a lamp of a single element mounted
on a reflector is used.
● If several aspects are required to be irradiated, a tunnel bath is more
effective.
● The temperature reached in a tunnel bath is higher than produced by
other lamps.
● This may be advantage if chronic lesions are to be treated.
● Before application, the lamp must be checked to ensure that it is
working correctly.
● Non luminous generators must be switched on an adequate time before
application.
PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT

● Clothes must be removed from the area to be treated.

● Skin is checked for its sensation against heat and cold.
● The patient should be comfortable and fully supported so that he
does not move unduly during treatment.
● The patient is warned that he should experience comfortable
warmth and he should report immediately if the heating become
excessive as undue heat may cause burn.
● He should be instructed not to touch the apparatus and nor to move
nearer to the apparatus.
Arrangement of the lamp and patient:

● The lamp is positioned so that it is opposite to the center of the

area to be treated and the rays strike the skin at the right angle,
thus ensuring maximum absorption.
● The distance of the land from the patient should be measured.
● Optimum distance is around 50 to 75 cm depending upon the
output of the generator.
● Care must be taken that the patient's face is not exposed to infrared
rays. Eyes must be shielded to avoid this.
Laws Governing The Effects Of Electromagnetic Radiations

● When electromagnetic radiations strike or come in contact with other

objects, they may be reflected, refracted or absorbed.
● As a general rule, those radiations that have shortest wavelengths
tend to have greatest depth of penetration, regardless of the
frequency.
● It should also be noted that a number of other factors can also
contribute to the depth of penetration.
Various laws regulating the depth of penetration:
1. Arndt- Schultz principle
2. Law of Grotthus- Draper
3. Cosine law
4. Law of inverse square
1. Arndt- Schultz principle:

It states that no reaction or changes can occur in the body tissues if the
amount of energy absorbed is insufficient to stimulate the absorbing
tissues

Addition of threshold energy and above quantity of energy will stimulate

the absorbing tissue to normal function.

To create, a quantity of energy is absorbed then added energy will

prevent normal function and will destroy tissue.

2. Law of Grotthus- Draper:

It states that the rays must be absorbed to produce the effect and the
effects will be produced at that point at which the rays are absorbed.
3. Cosine law:

It is also known as Lambert- Cosine law. Cosine law explains the effect
of angle at which the rays strike. It states that the proportion of rays
absorbed varies as per the cosine of the angle between the incident
and the normal.

4. Law of inverse square:

Law of inverse square explains the effect of distance on the intensity

of infrared rays. It states that the intensity of a beam of rays from a
point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
from the source.
APPLICATION OF INFRARED TREATMENT

● At the start of the treatment exposure, the intensity of the radiation should be
low.
● After 5-10 minutes → vasodilatation → increase in the blood flow →strength of the
radiation may be increased by moving the lamp closer to the patient.
● The physiotherapist should be near the patient throughout the treatment session
and should reduce the intensity of radiation if the heat becomes excessive.
● If the radiation is extensive, it is desirable that sweating should occur to
counteract any excess rise in body temperature.
● Sweating is encouraged if the patient is provided water to drink during
treatment.
● At the end of the treatment The skin should be mild red, not
excessively red.
● After extensive irradiation, the patient should not rise suddenly from
the recumbent position or go out into the cold immediately.

Duration and frequency of treatment:

● In cases of acute inflammation or recent injuries and for the

treatment of wounds and exposure of 10 to 15 minutes is adequate.
● But it may be applied several times during the day.
● In cases of chronic conditions, longer exposures may be used.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

● When infrared rays are absorbed by the tissues of the body, heat
is produced at the point where they are absorbed.
● The shorter infrared rays penetrate to the deeper parts of the
dermis, or to the subcutaneous tissues.
● While the longer rays are absorbed in the superficial epidermis.
● Thus the rays from the non luminous generator are less
penetrating than the luminous generator.
● The shorter visible and the ultraviolet rays produced from the luminous
generators, when absorbed, produce chemical actions, which may have
a slightly irritating effect.
● These irritating rays can be eliminated from the spectrum of the
luminous generator by the use of a red glass filter.
● Irradiation with rays from either source results in the production of heat
in the superficial tissues, and heat is conveyed to the deeper tissues by
conduction and by the circulating fluids.
● The effects of infrared irradiation are those of local rise in temperature,
and differ from the effects of other heat treatments, e.g. short-wave
diathermy, only in that the heat is produced at a different level.
INCREASED METABOLISM:

● The increase in metabolism is greatest in the region where most heat is produced, i.e. in the
superficial tissues.
● As a result of the increased metabolism there is an increased demand for oxygen and
foodstuffs, and an increased output of waste products, including metabolites.

VASODILATATION:

● There is dilatation of the capillaries and arterioles in the superficial tissues.

● This is due to the direct effect of the heat, to the action of the metabolites and, unless the
heating is very mild, to irritation of the superficial sensory nerve endings, which causes
reflex vasodilatation.
● The superficial vasodilation causes erythema of the skin, which, unlike that produced by
ultra-violet irradiation, appears as soon as the part becomes warm and begins to fade soon
after the exposure ceases.
● The erythema may be mottled in appearance.
PIGMENTATION:

● Followed by repeated exposure to the infrared rays.

● The pigmentation arises in a different way from that which follows
ultraviolet irradiation, being due to the destruction of red blood cells.

EFFECTS ON SENSORY NERVES:

● Mild heating appears to have a sedative effect on the sensory nerve

endings, while more intense heating has an irritating effect.
● The irritating effect is more marked in irradiation with the luminous
than with the non-luminous generator, but this is probably due to the
action of the shorter visible and ultraviolet rays rather than to that of
the infrared rays.
EFFECT ON MUSCLE TISSUE:
● Rise in temperature assists in inducing muscle relaxation and
increases the efficiency of muscle action, the fibres contract and relax
more quickly and relaxation of the antagonists permits a freer action
of the prime movers.

DESTRUCTION OF TISSUES:
● It is liable if the heating is excessive.

GENERAL RISE IN TEMPERATURE:

● The blood in the superficial vessels is heated, then passes to other
parts of the body, causing a general rise in temperature.
● There may be a generalised dilatation of the superficial blood vessels,
due to the effect of the heated blood on the centres concerned with
regulation of body temperature.
FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE:

● If there is generalised vasodilatation the peripheral resistance is reduced, and this

causes a fall in blood pressure.
● Heat reduces the viscosity of the blood, and this also tends to reduce the blood
pressure.

INCREASED ACTIVITY OF SWEAT GLANDS:

● There is reflex stimulation of the sweat glands in the area exposed to the heat,
resulting from the effect of the heat on the sensory nerve endings.
● As the heated blood circulates throughout the body it affects the centres concerned
with regulation of temperature, and there is increased activity of the sweat glands
throughout the body.
● When this generalised sweating occurs there is increased elimination of waste
products.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
RELIEF OF PAIN:

● Infrared irradiation is frequently an effective means of relieving pain. When the

heating is mild the relief of pain is probably due to the sedative effect on the
superficial sensory nerve endings. Stronger heating irritates the superficial
sensory nerve endings and so relieves pain by counter-irritation.
● In some cases, the relief of pain is probably associated with the muscle
relaxation.
● Pain due to acute inflammation or recent injury is relieved most effectively by
mild heating.
● Too intense a treatment may cause an increase in the exudation of fluid into the
tissues, and so increase the pain.
● When pain is due to lesions of a more chronic type stronger heating is
required.
● The irradiation should cause a comfortable warmth and the treatment
last for at least thirty minutes.

MUSCLE RELAXATION:

● Muscles relax most readily when the tissues are warm, and the relief of
pain also facilitates relaxation.
● So infrared irradiation is of value in helping to achieve muscle relaxation
and for the relief of muscle spasm associated with injury or
inflammation.
● Infrared irradiation is frequently used as a preliminary to other forms of
physiotherapy.
● Following irradiation movements can frequently be carried through a
greater range than before, and the relief of pain makes it possible to
perform exercises more efficiently.
INCREASED BLOOD SUPPLY:

● This effect is most marked in the superficial tissues, and may be used
in the treatment of superficial wounds and infections.
● A good blood supply is essential for healing to take place.
● Infrared irradiation may be used to warm cold limbs and in an attempt
to increase the blood supply.
● The treatment is frequently used for arthritic joints and other
inflammatory lesions, also for the after-effects of injuries.
● In these cases the relief of pain and muscle spasm is undoubtedly of
value, but the effect of the irradiation on the flow of blood through the
site of the lesion is uncertain.
● When superficial structures are affected there may be some heating of, and
consequent vasodilatation in, these structures, e.g. small joints of the hands and
feet.
● This will increase the supply of oxygen available to the tissues, accelerate the
removal of waste products and help to bring about the resolution of inflammation.
● On the other hand irradiation of the skin over deeply placed structures is more
likely to cause vasoconstriction in the deep tissues.
● This may help in relieving congestion.

ELIMINATION OF WASTE PRODUCTS:

● Extensive treatment causes increased activity of the sweat glands throughout the
bdy, with increased elimination of waste products.
● This is helps in generalised arthritis.
DANGERS
BURNS:
● IRR can cause superficial heat burns.
● A red patch is seen on the skin, which subsequently blisters, either
during or after the treatment.
● The burn is most often caused by too great an intensity of irradiation and
this can occur if the patient does not understand the nature of the
treatment, fails to report overheating, moves nearer to the lamp or falls
asleep during the treatment.
● If the skin sensation is defective so that the patient is unable to
appreciate the degree of heating
● Impaired blood flow due to circulatory defect, increases the risk of
overheating, as the heat is not carried away from the area as rapidly as
usual.
ELECTRIC SHOCK:
● This could occur as a result of touching some exposed part of the
circuit, but the chief danger arises if the live wire comes in contact
with the apparatus casing.
● It is essential that appropriate precautions are taken, in the view of
the extensive metal framework of IRR generators.

PRECIPITATION OF GANGRENE:
● May be caused in the areas of defective arterial blood supply
following prolonged irradiation by IRR.
● Consequently heat should never be applied directly to an area with
an impaired arterial blood supply.
● Arterial supply to the area being treated needs to be proper to avoid
gangrene.
HEADACHE:
● Headache may occur when treatment is given during hot weather.
● Lots of fluid goes off the body in the form of sweating during treatment.
● Plenty of eater needs to be replenished during and after the treatment.

FAINTNESS:
● Extensive irradiation is accompanied by a fall in blood pressure which
may result in faintness due to anaemia of the brain.
● This is particularly liable to occur if the patient rises suddenly from the
recumbent position after an extensive treatment.

INJURY TO THE EYES:

● Direct heating over the eyes causes drying up and thus leads to
corneal or retinal burns.
● It is wise to protect the eyes from irradiation.
 INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS

● Osteoarthritis ● Defective arterial cutaneous

● Rheumatoid arthritis circulation
● Capsulitis ● Impaired skin sensation
● Dermatitis
● Psoriasis
● Tumors
● Joint stiffness
● Tuberculosis
● Ankylosing Spondylitis ● Photosensitivity
● Odema ● Metal implants
● Pain ● Mental retardation
● Muscle spasm ● Areas where there is danger of
hemorrhage
● After deep X-ray or cobalt therapy
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