The Onnetsu Far Infrared (FIR) Heat Therapy has been described as “moxibustion without smoke and smell” and “acupuncture without needles.”
It combines well with Eastern and Western medicine and has the same effect as acupuncture, moxibustion and massage.
What are the benefits of Far Infrared (FIR) heat therapy?
Clinical research has shown FIR heat therapy to be beneficial for a long list of conditions. From a soft tissue point of view, its benefits include:
Relieving arthritic pain
Warming and relaxing muscles before adjustments
Relieving muscle aches, spasms and strains
Reducing swelling and inflammation
Speeding up healing and repair of degenerated tissues and cells
Improving elimination of waste, chemicals and toxins
Stimulating blood circulation and lymph flow
Balancing body PH
Pre-event warm up
What is it?
Based on an ancient form of thermal therapy called moxibustion, FIR heat therapy works on the understanding that heat is a natural healer. The Japanese health philosophy believes that unhealthy cells and areas of illness are colder than other parts of the body; and that a lowered body temperature compromises a person’s immune system and makes them susceptible to illness. Research in Japan has shown that our immunity to diseases is halved when body temperature is reduced by only one degree. They have also shown that cancer cells thrive at 35℃ and weaken at 42℃.
FIR heat therapy aims to restore lost heat inside the body through far infrared waves. The waves heat up the deeper tissues of the body, stimulate blood flow and speed up the healing process. The waves are applied directly to the cold or injured areas to increase body temperature. Healing is induced when temperature increases in a problem area.
When do we use it?
In our clinic, all dogs are treated with FIR heat therapy to warm the muscles before an adjustment. We do not do adjustments or any other therapies on cold muscles. The muscles are more receptive to the treatments when they are warm. The thermal heat session will continue to improve circulation in the body forup to 5 hours. The average cost for a full body human treatment is $300. But we use this therapy as part of our system of treatments and it is included in your appointment rate at no extra cost.
How does it work?
When applied to the surface of the skin, the Onnetsu FIR heat therapy machine locates degenerated, cold areas inside the body. It then warms the area in the form of far infrared waves that penetrate up to 10 inches deep into the core of the body.
Will my dog like it?
The majority of dogs enjoy this therapy. I have yet to come across a dog who does not like it. They love the deep, comforting warmth and are often calmer after the treatment. The experience is one of warm and soothing strokes throughout the body.
How does heat therapy repair injured muscles?
Put simply, heat heals. When we suffer from an infection our own bodies produce heat in the form of fevers as a defence mechanism. Fevers increase the capability of our bodies to fight infection. The same health principles apply here. Thus an important factor in maintaining good health is that our dog’s body temperature should remain between 38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celsius degrees.
Does it have any side effects?
When applied by a trained practitioner, the device is very safe and and has no known negative side effects.
Far Infrared (FIR) heat therapy is one of the primary modalities in our clinic. Training in Onnetsu by Sacha Packer of The Balanced Canine.