Health benefits of infra red After living with a SunSwitch electric patio heater, many of our customers find they get a real 'feel good factor' when they use them, and we often receive emails from customers asking why they feel so good. Infra red (IR) is a natural form of heat radiation like that from the sun. It should not be confused with ultraviolet (UV) radiation which comes from the opposite end of the light spectrum. There is no tanning action associated with infra red. Infra red has long been used as a therapy for treating muscular ailments and sports injuries. Short wavelength infra red heat, the kind produced by SunSwitch electric patio heaters and our other electric infra red heaters, is readily absorbed into muscle tissue, where it can stimulate blood circulation and facilitate repair of damaged tissue. Exposure to radiant warmth is an established way to improve circulation and digestion, and increase production of red blood cells, haemoglobin and lymphocytes. Longer wavelengths of infa red, which are more commonly associated with gas patio heaters, are not absorbed into the body so readily. They do not warm as effectively and do not produce the health benefits described.   Content (images and text) © SunSwitch Limited January 2008