Infrared radiation is electromagnetic energy with wavelengths between 760nm and 1mm that is used in physiotherapy to relieve pain and enhance healing. There are two types of generators: luminous generators use incandescent lamps that emit infrared radiation to penetrate 5-10mm, while non-luminous generators use coiled resistance wire to emit far infrared radiation penetrating 2mm. Infrared radiation increases blood flow, metabolism, and nerve stimulation to provide therapeutic effects for pain relief, muscle spasm reduction, and skin conditions.

1. Infrared Radiation (IRR) in Physiotherapy
Dr. Hiralal Yadav
Assistant Professor, Dept. of
Physical Education

2.  Infrared radiation (IRR) is electromagnetic energy invisible
to the human eye, having a wavelength between 760nm to
1mm. In the electromagnetic spectrum, the infrared own the
place between visible light and microwaves.

3.  It used for the relief of pain and stiffness and to enhance
healing of soft tissue lesions and skin condition, by
producing the superficial thermal effect in the tissues.
 Any hot body emits infrared ray; the sun, gas fires, coal
fires, electric fires, hot water pipes, etc. for therapeutic
purpose, IRR produced by two types of generators-
 Luminous generators
 Nonluminous generators

4. LUMINOUS GENERATORS
 Rays emitted from the luminous generators
 It is produced by one or more incandescent (Radiant) lamps.
 An incandescent lamp consists of a wire filament enclosed in a glass
bulb, which may be evacuated or may contain an inert gas at low pressure.
 A part of the inside of the glass bulb is often silvered to provide a reflector.
 The filament is a coil of fine wire and is usually made of tungsten: as this
material tolerates related heating and cooling.
 The passage of an electric current through the filament produces heat,
infrared red, ultraviolet, and visible radiation.
 The ultraviolet produced is absorbed by the glass of the lamp, and therefore
it’s not emitted.
 These lamps generally available with a power level of between 250-1500W
 The lamp available at this time generally emits IRR, with wavelengths of
between 780nm -1500nm with peak intensity at 1000nm.
 Penetration→ the dermis and subcutaneous tissue to a depth of 5-10mm.
 The luminous generator is sometimes called radiant heat.

5. NON-LUMINOUS GENERATORS
 These generators consist of a coiled resistance wire.
 Which is looped around or fixed in a ceramics insulated material
and produces far infrared electromagnetic rays (1500-12000nm)
 Infrared radiation(IR) will be emitted, by both the wire and
heated material surrounding it.
 These generators produce only infrared radiation and no other
visible radiation.
 These are generally available with power levels of between 750-
1000W.
 The infrared emitter is placed at the focal point of a parabolic
reflector, to reflect the radiation into an approximately uniform
beam.
 The reflector has on its front a wire mesh.
 These generators produce radiation which peaks at a wavelength
of around 4μm(4000nm) and penetrates the epidermis (2mm).

6. Luminous Generator
Non- Luminous Generator

7.  Cutaneous vasodilation
 Increase sweating due to increase activity of sweat
glands.
 Sensation of warmth due to stimulation of thermal heat
receptor
 Increase in metabolism- According to Vant Hoff’s
law, the chemical changes are accelerated due to heat,
the heat produced by infrared radiation increases the
metabolism due to which there is increased demand in
the tissue for oxygen and foodstuffs which is maintained
by an increase arterial flow.
 Nerve stimulation– Due to the effects of heating the
thermal heat receptors in the skin are stimulated.
Physiological Effects of IRR

8.  Pain relief
 Reduction of muscle spasm
 Joint stiffness
 Edema relief
 Skin lesion (psoriatic arthritis with psoriasis)
 Dermal ulcers (pressure ulcers)
Therapeutic Effects and Uses of IRR

9.  Choice of apparatus-
 Choose the modality i.e. luminous or nonluminous.
 For chronic inflammatory conditions where tissue heating
is required, a luminous infrared lamp is selected.
 For acute inflammation or recent injury the sedative
effect of the rays obtained from the non-luminous
generators
 Apparatus should be in working order
 Pre-heated at least 5 minutes before heating.
 Usually lamps with emitters from 250-1000 Walt are
used.
Techniques of Application

10.  The position of the patient should be comfortable
and adequate.
 Avoid undue movement of the patient.
 The part to be treated should be exposed and the
rest of the body should be covered.
 Protect the eyes of the patient.
 Test the skin sensation of the patient.
 Remove all metal objects like rings, safety pin, etc.
Preparation of Patient-

11.  Arrange the lamp so that the rays strike the skin at
right angles.
 The distance of the lamp from the patient should be
measured, approximately 75-90cm for non-luminous
and 45-60cm for a luminous lamp.
 Set the timer.
 For an acute condition, duration should be 10 to 15
minutes and for chronic conditions it should be 30
minutes.
Arrangement of lamp and patient-

12.  Areas with defective cutaneous thermal sensation.
 Areas with defective arterial blood supply.
 Subjects with advanced cardiovascular disease.
 Hemorrhage
 Scar tissue or tissue devitalized by deep x-rays treatment or
other ionizing radiations
 Malignancy
 Acute skin disease, e.g. dermatitis, eczema.
 Superficial infections.
Contraindication to IRR Treatment

13. Diathermy

14.  Diathermy is a therapeutic modality that is most
commonly used for joint conditions such as rheumatoid
arthritis and osteoarthritis.
 The term diathermy refers to the creation of heat using
electrical pulses. In diathermy, a high-frequency electric
current is delivered via shortwave, microwave, or
ultrasound which is able to generate deep heat in body
tissues
 The heat can be used to improve circulation and/or to
relieve pain. In addition, shortwave diathermy can be
used in medicine for treating damaged tissues and
relaxing muscles.
Diathermy

15.  Microwave diathermy, seldom used , it uses high-
frequency electromagnetic waves (2450
MHz; wavelength of 11 m) to heat tissues.
 Short- wave diathermy uses high-frequency
electromagnetic waves that are similar to
radio waves (10–100 MHz) to heat deep tissues

16.  The electric pulse of Short-Wave Diathermy creates
heat deep inside a targeted tissue, reaching areas as
deep as two inches from the skin’s surface.
 While the diathermy machine doesn’t apply heat directly
to the body, the current created by the machine allows
the body to generate heat within the targeted area
itself.
 It is when the heat of the area increases, that blood flow
is improved along with improvements to flexibility in
stiff joints and connective tissue making it a good choice
to use for patients with arthritis.
 The main benefits for decreased pain and inflammation
is it allows patients to gently increase their range of
motion allowing them to move with more ease and
participate in rehabilitation with more comfort.

17.  How Does Short-Wave Diathermy Work?
 Short wave diathermy is a distinguished form of
diathermy (different than ultrasound and microwave)
which involves sending high-frequency waves
throughout the patient’s body and into the affected
tissues.
 The energy waves are sent from condenser plates
located on either side of the tissue being treated.
Typical short wave diathermy machines operate at a
frequency of 27.33 MHz and have wave lengths of 11
meters.

18.  Similar to other methods for applying energy to the body,
short wave diathermy can be applied in two distinct modes:
continuous or pulsed.
 When continuous mode is used, the tissue being targeted
becomes heated as the waves constantly convey energy to
them.
 Pulsed mode is used when less heat is desired for the affected
tissue.
 When short wave diathermy is applied in pulse mode, the
mechanical effects of the treatment are applied independent
of the thermally affecting (heating) the tissue.
 Short-wave diathermy includes non-thermal benefits as well
including:
 Acceleration of cell growth
 Enabling damaged cells to return to normal function
 Increase wound healing

19. Continuous Shortwave Diathermy
 The goal of CSWD is to raise tissue temperature to
within the physiologically effective range of 37.5_ to
44_C (99.5_ to 111.2_F) in deeper tissues (2.5 to 5 cm).
 This is done by introducing a high-frequency electrical
current with a power output of 80 to 120 W.
 The depth of penetration and extent of heat production
depends on wave frequency, the electrical properties of
the tissue(s) receiving the electromagnetic energy, and
the type of applicator used.

20.  The physiologic effects known to occur with other
therapeutic heat treatments are also produced with
CSWD.
 Mild heating is usually desired in acute musculoskeletal
conditions, whereas vigorous heating may be needed in
chronic conditions.
 Because the effects occur in deeper tissue, CSWD is used
to increase extensibility of deep collagen tissue,
decrease joint stiffness, relieve deep pain and muscle
spasm, increase blood flow, assist in the resolution of
inflammation, and facilitate healing of soft-tissue injuries
in the post acute stage.

21.  Bursitis
 Joint capsule contracture
 Degenerative Joint disease
 Sacroiliac strains
 Deep Muscle Spasm
 Spondylitis
 Osteoarthritis
 Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory diseases
 Epicondylitis subacute inflammation
Indications

22.  Over internally and externally worn metallic objects
 Over metal surgical implants Over the lumbar, pelvic, or
 abdominal areas in women with metallic intrauterine
Deep muscles devices
 Metal objects within the immediate treatment area
Unshielded cardiac pacemaker
 Over the eyes, testes, and fluid-filled joints
 Over ischemic, hemorrhagic, malignant, and acutely
inflamed tissues.
 Over moist wound dressings, clothing, or perspiration
 Pregnant abdomen
Contraindications