http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared

Far Infrared Therapy Inhibits Vascular Endothelial Inflammation via the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1
Chih-Ching Lin ; Xiao-Ming Liu ; Kelly Peyton ; Hong Wang ; Wu-Chang Yang ; Shing-Jong Lin ; and William Durante

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2008
Published online before print January 17, 2008, doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.107.160085

Far infrared therapy inhibits inflammation.

http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/cont...A.107.160085v1

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Infrared light lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible light has wavelengths that range from red light to violet. "Near infrared" light is closest in wavelength to visible light and "far infrared" is closer to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The longer, far infrared wavelengths are about the size of a pin head and the shorter, near infrared ones are the size of cells, or are microscopic.

Far infrared waves are thermal. In other words, we experience this type of infrared radiation every day in the form of heat! The heat that we feel from sunlight, a fire, a radiator or a warm sidewalk is infrared. The temperature-sensitive nerve endings in our skin can detect the difference between inside body temperature and outside skin temperature

Infrared light is even used to heat food sometimes - special lamps that emit thermal infrared waves are often used in fast food restaurants!

Shorter, near infrared waves are not hot at all - in fact you cannot even feel them. These shorter wavelengths are the ones used by your TV's remote control.

http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imag.../infrared.html

http://www.sunlightsaunas.com/wi.htm...FQMsFQodS1A3Nw