Far infrared (FIR) light (880nm – not visible to the human eye) has been proven to penetrate deeper into the bodies tissue. Allowing effects on tendons, ligaments, fascia and muscle.

Research has shown FIR therapy is both anti-inflammatory and alleviates stiffness, fatigue and pain, it’s a useful tool in recovery. Indeed, one study showed positive effects on runners suffering from muscle damage. Furthermore, another study found users experienced a 50 per cent reduction in pain.

References:

Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications. Fatma Vatansever and Michael R. Hamblin (2012).  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699878/

830 nm light-emitting diode (led) phototherapy significantly reduced return-to-play in injured university athletes: a pilot study. (Foley et al. 2016) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4846838/

Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near-infrared light therapy.
Eells JT, Wong-Riley MT, VerHoeve J, Henry M, Buchman EV, Kane MP, Gould LJ, Das R, Jett M, Hodgson BD, Margolis D, Whelan HT.

PubMed – Rehab Management, The Interdisciplinary Journal: Therapeutic Light by Chukuka S. Enwemeka, PT, PhD, FACSM

Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized trial (2006) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2539004

Douris P, Southard V, et al. Effect of phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2006 Jun;24(3):377-82.

Antonialli FC, De Marchi T, Tomazoni SS, et al. Phototherapy in skeletal muscle performance and recovery after exercise: effect of combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes. Lasers in Medical Science. 2014 Nov;29(6):1967-76.

Borges LS, et al. Light-emitting diode phototherapy improves muscle recovery after a damaging exercise. Lasers in Medical Science. 2014 May;29(3):1139-44.

De Marchi T, Leal Junior EC, et al. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in human progressive-intensity running: effects on exercise performance, skeletal muscle status, and oxidative stress. Lasers in Medical Science. 2012 Jan;27(1):231-6

Aimbire F, Albertini R, Pacheco MT, et al. Low-level laser therapy induces dose-dependent reduction of TNF alpha levels in acute inflammation. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006;24:33–37.

Leal-Junior EC, Vanin AA, Miranda EF, et al. Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Lasers in Medical Science. 2015 Feb;30(2):925-39.

Ferraresi C, Hamblin M, and Parizotto N. “Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on muscle tissue: performance, fatigue and repair benefited by the power of light.” Photonics Lasers Med. 2012 November 1; 1(4): 267–286. doi:10.1515/plm-2012-0032.