Infrared sauna benefits and disadvantages start with dose, depth, and safety: steady far infrared warmth supports circulation while restraint keeps recovery precise.
Video·AskDoctorJo·8 min read·June 26, 2017
Far infrared heat offers a deeper, lower-intensity approach to temporary pain relief, with practical protocols for using it around joints, muscles, and recovery routines.
Why Far Infrared Heat Feels Different
Pain changes the way you inhabit the body. A tight back, an irritated wrist, or an aching joint can narrow your attention until recovery becomes the center of the day. Far infrared heat offers a quieter way to meet that discomfort: steady warmth designed to reach below the surface without relying on aggressive temperature.
Traditional heating pads warm the skin first. They can feel intense at the surface while reaching only a shallow depth, described here as about 0.25 centimeters. Far infrared is framed differently. It uses light-based heat, with penetration described as reaching up to 6 centimeters, or 2.36 inches, into the body.
That depth is the distinction. The goal is not to create a hotter experience; it is to place warmth closer to the irritated tissue, the achy joint, or the muscle that refuses to release. When heat reaches deeper layers, it can support temporary pain relief while keeping the surface sensation controlled.
This matters for recovery because comfort changes compliance. A protocol that feels harsh rarely becomes a ritual. Far infrared heat is described as warm, steady, and non-drying because the system works through light rather than conventional surface heat. You do not need to chase intensity to receive benefit.
The deeper sensation also changes how you relate to the treatment. You can settle into it rather than brace against it. The body has space to soften, and the mind has a moment to pause. Relief begins with less resistance.
For irritated joints and muscles, that distinction is practical. The source frames far infrared as useful for temporary pain relief because it can reach the area where inflammation and irritation are held. The warmth does not need to burn the skin to feel meaningful. It simply needs to arrive where the body is asking for support.
It gets way down where that inflammation that irritation that pain is without burning your skin.
hey everybody it's Dr Joe and it's product review time again the folks at product review time again the folks at thermotex partnered up with us and sent thermotex partnered up with us and sent us their thermotex Platinum so let's get us their thermotex Platinum so let's get started disclaimer alert disclaimer alert so the cool thing about thermotex is they are a far infrared heating is they are a far infrared heating system and the reason that far infrared system and the reason that far infrared is so much better than a traditional is so much better than a traditional heating pad is because it penetrates heating pad is because it penetrates further into the body so it gets down further into the body so it gets down different layers a traditional heating different layers a traditional heating pad usually only goes about .25 CM far pad usually only goes about .25 CM far infrared goes all the way up to about 6 infrared goes all the way up to about 6 cm or 2.36 in so it gets way down where cm or 2.36 in so it gets way down where that inflammation that irritation that that inflammation that irritation that pain is without burning your skin so pain is without burning your skin so that's the best part it goes nice and that's the best part it goes nice and deep it doesn't dry out and make you deep it doesn't dry out and make you dehydrated because it's not a heat it's dehydrated because it's not a heat it's a light system so it's really really a light system so it's really really cool it works great it gets deep down cool it works great it gets deep down into those achy joints those ay muscles
into those achy joints those ay muscles and it really helps to temporarily and it really helps to temporarily relieve pain so let me show you it a relieve pain so let me show you it a little bit and I'll talk a little bit little bit and I'll talk a little bit more about its awesome things that it more about its awesome things that it does so this one is their Platinum does so this one is their Platinum system and it's really cool because it's system and it's really cool because it's super super versatile you can put it almost anywhere versatile you can put it almost anywhere on your body so as you can see here it's on your body so as you can see here it's super soft which is really really nice super soft which is really really nice when you're putting it against your body when you're putting it against your body and your skin and stuff the cord here is and your skin and stuff the cord here is also a really nice because you have the also a really nice because you have the onof button but let's say you have it on onof button but let's say you have it on your body and you have to go go to the your body and you have to go go to the bathroom or something well instead of bathroom or something well instead of taking the whole thing off if you got it taking the whole thing off if you got it on you nicely you can just unplug it on you nicely you can just unplug it right here and then take it with you and right here and then take it with you and come back so I really like that come back so I really like that component as well because if you have it component as well because if you have it on you for about 45 minutes sometimes on you for about 45 minutes sometimes you have to get up and do something else you have to get up and do something else or if the doorbell rings or something or if the doorbell rings or something you can just unplug it instead of taking you can just unplug it instead of taking it all the way off and then have to to it all the way off and then have to to come back and put it all the way back on come back and put it all the way back on it also comes with two straps here a
it also comes with two straps here a shorter version and a longer version and shorter version and a longer version and that's really nice because since you can that's really nice because since you can put it on so many different parts of put it on so many different parts of your body you might want the shorter your body you might want the shorter strap for something like a foot or a strap for something like a foot or a wrist and then if you're doing your body wrist and then if you're doing your body like your back or you know if you're like your back or you know if you're having some cramps in the front you use having some cramps in the front you use the longer strap to put all the way the longer strap to put all the way around your body so that's really really around your body so that's really really nice as nice as well the back part here this is the part well the back part here this is the part that goes on the outer side is is that goes on the outer side is is squishy and the Platinum has three squishy and the Platinum has three heating plates which is really nice cuz heating plates which is really nice cuz then that again you can wrap it around then that again you can wrap it around the body part you it gets a very big the body part you it gets a very big surface so there's a lot of stuff going surface so there's a lot of stuff going on here for the Platinum where the logo on here for the Platinum where the logo is that goes against your body and it's is that goes against your body and it's a little bit firmer on this side so a little bit firmer on this side so that's how you can tell the difference that's how you can tell the difference but then the plates go really close but then the plates go really close really nice to your body which makes it really nice to your body which makes it good because it sits on there and it's good because it sits on there and it's very comfortable and it doesn't have to very comfortable and it doesn't have to be tight that's the other great thing be tight that's the other great thing since it pin penetrate so far that 6 cm
since it pin penetrate so far that 6 cm that 2.36 in you don't have to wrap it that 2.36 in you don't have to wrap it tight around your body so it's hugging tight around your body so it's hugging you so close you can put it you know you so close you can put it you know nice and and loose on the body you don't nice and and loose on the body you don't have to wrap it so tight so I like that have to wrap it so tight so I like that too because sometimes you can just drape too because sometimes you can just drape it over something if you're laying down it over something if you're laying down and relaxing you don't have to strap it and relaxing you don't have to strap it on if you don't want to and so that's on if you don't want to and so that's what makes it so cool being able to use what makes it so cool being able to use it basically anywhere so the far infared it basically anywhere so the far infared is really good for things like back is really good for things like back paint if you got those muscle spasms in paint if you got those muscle spasms in the back if you have some arthitis the back if you have some arthitis things like that what it does is it things like that what it does is it helps increase the circulation to the helps increase the circulation to the area and this is really good because it area and this is really good because it not only helps relax the muscles but it not only helps relax the muscles but it calms down that inflammation that calms down that inflammation that increase in circulation helps move that increase in circulation helps move that stuff out of the area to help the stuff out of the area to help the healing process so it's really really healing process so it's really really nice in that fact you can also use it nice in that fact you can also use it for things like tendonitis burtis you for things like tendonitis burtis you can use it for strains and sprains but can use it for strains and sprains but make sure and remember if it's something make sure and remember if it's something acute injury like that just happened
acute injury like that just happened those sprains or those strains the first those sprains or those strains the first 24 to 48 hours you really want to be 24 to 48 hours you really want to be icing it to calm down that extreme icing it to calm down that extreme inflammation but once you get into that inflammation but once you get into that about 48 hour you can alternate between about 48 hour you can alternate between ice and heat or you can just do the Heat ice and heat or you can just do the Heat and the far infrared is really really and the far infrared is really really great for that another one that I really great for that another one that I really really like this for is Fibromyalgia you really like this for is Fibromyalgia you know it's one of those diagnosis that know it's one of those diagnosis that people get when sometimes the doctors people get when sometimes the doctors might not know what's going on and might not know what's going on and unfortunately I think it's misdiagnosed unfortunately I think it's misdiagnosed most a lot so using something like this most a lot so using something like this is really helpful because maybe if it's is really helpful because maybe if it's something else this will help with it something else this will help with it too but if it's that true fiber alergia too but if it's that true fiber alergia again it really helps with that again it really helps with that inflammation because that's a form of inflammation because that's a form of arthritis and it flares up those nerves arthritis and it flares up those nerves and it makes them go crazy so having and it makes them go crazy so having that far infrared heat is really really that far infrared heat is really really comfortable and it helps calm everything comfortable and it helps calm everything down and a lot of times you can put it down and a lot of times you can put it on and then get going and feeling much on and then get going and feeling much better throughout the day so it's really better throughout the day so it's really nice I like it a lot when you first nice I like it a lot when you first start out with this if if you have had
start out with this if if you have had an injury or something or just feeling an injury or something or just feeling achy all over you really want to do it achy all over you really want to do it about two times a day if you can um and about two times a day if you can um and you want to do it for about 30 to 45 you want to do it for about 30 to 45 minutes the way this system works it's minutes the way this system works it's it's one setting which is nice because it's one setting which is nice because then you don't have to worry about then you don't have to worry about picking numbers of which one you want it picking numbers of which one you want it doesn't get too hot but you do sometimes doesn't get too hot but you do sometimes want to let it um warm up a little bit want to let it um warm up a little bit first they recommend about 10 minutes first they recommend about 10 minutes but as I've been using it I noticed that but as I've been using it I noticed that you really can um start feeling the you really can um start feeling the benefits of it within just the first few benefits of it within just the first few minutes but if you want to turn it on um minutes but if you want to turn it on um for a little bit couple minutes and then for a little bit couple minutes and then come put it on you can do that as well come put it on you can do that as well they do recommend kind of warming it up they do recommend kind of warming it up first and then after you get you know first and then after you get you know maybe a week in doing it twice a day you maybe a week in doing it twice a day you can take it down a little bit but it's can take it down a little bit but it's still good to use it every day because still good to use it every day because that's what helps really getting that that's what helps really getting that warmth that increased circulation in warmth that increased circulation in there getting that penetration down deep there getting that penetration down deep in there so it's it's great and another in there so it's it's great and another great thing about this is the cover is great thing about this is the cover is is washable you can do machine wash or
is washable you can do machine wash or hand wash and so you see how it has hand wash and so you see how it has velcro here where you can take it off velcro here where you can take it off and there's instructions in the and there's instructions in the instruction manual of how to wash it so instruction manual of how to wash it so that's really nice too cuz you can take that's really nice too cuz you can take it off and keep it clean and wash it it off and keep it clean and wash it occasionally so let me show you a couple occasionally so let me show you a couple ways um to put it on all parts of the ways um to put it on all parts of the body cuz that's what makes it so great body cuz that's what makes it so great you can use it anywhere so the first one you can use it anywhere so the first one I like is just around the back and they I like is just around the back and they also recommend where the cord comes out also recommend where the cord comes out have it going downwards just because have it going downwards just because then that doesn't tug and pull on it if then that doesn't tug and pull on it if it's this way puts a little more it's this way puts a little more pressure on that area so it makes it pressure on that area so it makes it nicer just to have it you know wherever nicer just to have it you know wherever it's plugged in you want it going it's plugged in you want it going downward so it just hangs down nicely um downward so it just hangs down nicely um I'm going to use the big one the long I'm going to use the big one the long strap to go all the way around and what strap to go all the way around and what I do is since it's kind of a universal I do is since it's kind of a universal strap for any strap for any size I actually take mine just to get it size I actually take mine just to get it nice and wrap all the way around so as nice and wrap all the way around so as you can see here it went all the way
you can see here it went all the way around if you don't need it to go all around if you don't need it to go all the way around that's fine but again the way around that's fine but again it's just nice and comfortable on the it's just nice and comfortable on the back there doesn't have to be tight it back there doesn't have to be tight it can be looser than this I just kind of can be looser than this I just kind of like mine if I'm sitting up but if like mine if I'm sitting up but if you're lying down you can have it a you're lying down you can have it a little bit looser as well so that makes little bit looser as well so that makes it super nice and easy and since it's it super nice and easy and since it's velcro it comes off very quickly and velcro it comes off very quickly and easily as far as maybe your elbow wrist easily as far as maybe your elbow wrist area what's great about it is the plate area what's great about it is the plate in the middle you can kind of put on in the middle you can kind of put on either side but remember it penetrates either side but remember it penetrates so deeply it doesn't really matter even so deeply it doesn't really matter even if you're hurting on this side that's if you're hurting on this side that's enough where it will go all the way enough where it will go all the way through so if you're more comfortable through so if you're more comfortable putting it this way you can but if you putting it this way you can but if you want to put it directly on the area you want to put it directly on the area you can as well but remember it penetrates can as well but remember it penetrates pretty deeply so it doesn't have to go pretty deeply so it doesn't have to go directly on where you're hurting so if directly on where you're hurting so if you're hurting in the wrist area you can you're hurting in the wrist area you can just put it almost like a c shape see just put it almost like a c shape see how that is or the C C shape like that
how that is or the C C shape like that and then you can just kind of hold it and then you can just kind of hold it like that and and wrap it around so like that and and wrap it around so again it doesn't have to be super tight again it doesn't have to be super tight unless you want it to and so this one unless you want it to and so this one you'd probably want to use the smaller you'd probably want to use the smaller straps just so you don't have to wrap it straps just so you don't have to wrap it around so much but you can see that I around so much but you can see that I was able to do that so let me show you was able to do that so let me show you the smaller strap real the smaller strap real quickly so here and then here so that's quickly so here and then here so that's nice so see this doesn't have to be nice so see this doesn't have to be tight but it's still getting all those tight but it's still getting all those areas which is nice and beneficial and areas which is nice and beneficial and so again with the elbow you can just so again with the elbow you can just move your arm up and then it goes move your arm up and then it goes directly onto your elbow especially if directly onto your elbow especially if you have you know something going on on you have you know something going on on either side it will get the the side either side it will get the the side panels will get those as panels will get those as well you can also come down to something well you can also come down to something like the knee and so again you can like the knee and so again you can either do it if you want the top and the either do it if you want the top and the bottom that c kind of motion you might bottom that c kind of motion you might want to lay down or sit down so you can
want to lay down or sit down so you can put your knee straight if you want to put your knee straight if you want to and then just put it on that way or if and then just put it on that way or if you want to get both sides but something you want to get both sides but something on the inside or the outside you can do on the inside or the outside you can do it that way as well and then have a it that way as well and then have a little more Bend in your knee if you little more Bend in your knee if you want to do it that way um same thing for want to do it that way um same thing for the foot you can put the bottom plate the foot you can put the bottom plate down on the bottom of your foot and then down on the bottom of your foot and then just curl it up on each in and then just just curl it up on each in and then just have it like that so as you can see you have it like that so as you can see you can do it almost anywhere it's it's it's can do it almost anywhere it's it's it's so cool it's neat you can even go up to so cool it's neat you can even go up to your shoulder or your neck um depending your shoulder or your neck um depending on how much looseness you want you can on how much looseness you want you can do um the short strap or the long strap do um the short strap or the long strap um make sure you don't choke yourself so um make sure you don't choke yourself so you might want the longer strap so it's you might want the longer strap so it's just kind of sitting there you can do it just kind of sitting there you can do it a couple different ways some um they a couple different ways some um they recommend putting the middle one kind of recommend putting the middle one kind of in the curve of the neck having the top in the curve of the neck having the top one up on your head and then the lower one up on your head and then the lower one kind of down down so with that one
one kind of down down so with that one it would probably be more comfortable if it would probably be more comfortable if you lie down on it which you can you lie down on it which you can certainly do that and then you can also certainly do that and then you can also just kind of have it on your shoulder just kind of have it on your shoulder area as well so um something like that area as well so um something like that and again doesn't have to be tight it and again doesn't have to be tight it doesn't have to be super snug on there doesn't have to be super snug on there because the way this goes so deep down because the way this goes so deep down and that light moves all the way through and that light moves all the way through it doesn't have to be super tight cuz it doesn't have to be super tight cuz it's not heat it's light that's going it's not heat it's light that's going through so this is why I like this so through so this is why I like this so much and the far infrared is great and much and the far infrared is great and they also have research that proves that they also have research that proves that it really does work and if you want to it really does work and if you want to check out that research you can go on check out that research you can go on their website they have internal and their website they have internal and external studies to show that it really external studies to show that it really goes in there it really gets that goes in there it really gets that inflammation calm down increases the inflammation calm down increases the circulation to help with all those pains circulation to help with all those pains and aches and make you feel better so and aches and make you feel better so this is really really great for almost this is really really great for almost any kind of injury pains aches but there any kind of injury pains aches but there are some health conditions where you are some health conditions where you probably shouldn't use this a big one is probably shouldn't use this a big one is if you're pregnant make sure you're not
if you're pregnant make sure you're not using it when you're pregnant also using it when you're pregnant also hemophilia if you're hemophiliac you you hemophilia if you're hemophiliac you you don't want to use this or even severe don't want to use this or even severe adrenal suppression those are things adrenal suppression those are things that you probably shouldn't use this on that you probably shouldn't use this on make sure you don't but you should make sure you don't but you should always ask your doctor first if the far always ask your doctor first if the far infrared is okay to use on your body infrared is okay to use on your body also if you have something like pins um also if you have something like pins um screws Hardwares in your body um this is screws Hardwares in your body um this is okay to use it might feel a little bit okay to use it might feel a little bit different you might feel like a little different you might feel like a little VI ation feeling for example me I have VI ation feeling for example me I have pins in my hand when I've used it on my pins in my hand when I've used it on my hand I don't really feel anything but hand I don't really feel anything but I've had them for a long time so it's I've had them for a long time so it's okay to use you might just want to start okay to use you might just want to start off with like five or 10 minutes just to off with like five or 10 minutes just to see how it feels in case you are feeling see how it feels in case you are feeling something but it's it's okay to use so something but it's it's okay to use so um especially people after a surgery or um especially people after a surgery or something have little flare ups every something have little flare ups every once in a while and that's okay to use once in a while and that's okay to use this so there you have it if you have this so there you have it if you have any questions leave them in the comment any questions leave them in the comment section if you're interested in section if you're interested in purchasing the product you can click up purchasing the product you can click up here and don't forget to subscribe to here and don't forget to subscribe to our Chan Channel by clicking here so
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Transcript auto-generated by YouTube. Verbatim — duplicates intentionally preserved.
The Thermotex Platinum Setup
A recovery tool earns its place when it is simple to use. The Thermotex Platinum is presented as a versatile far infrared pad with a soft body-facing surface and three heating plates. That structure gives it a broad treatment area while allowing the pad to bend around different regions of the body.
The side with the logo sits against the body. It feels firmer because the heating plates sit closer to that surface, while the outside has more cushion. This detail matters because correct placement keeps the warmth directed toward the area you want to support. Precision begins with orientation.
The larger surface area makes the Platinum useful across many recovery scenarios. It can cover the back, wrap around the abdomen, hold against the shoulder, or curve around a limb. Three plates allow the pad to meet a region rather than a single point. The experience feels less like spot treatment and more like full-area support.
The detachable cord adds a small but useful convenience. If you need to stand briefly, answer the door, or move through the room, you can unplug the pad at the connector without removing the whole setup. For a 30 to 45 minute session, that matters. A good protocol respects real life.
The system includes a shorter strap and a longer strap. The shorter strap suits smaller areas such as the wrist or foot, while the longer strap can reach around the back, torso, or abdomen. This gives the same device more range without making the placement feel complicated.
A tight fit is not required. Because the source describes the far infrared light as penetrating deeply, the pad can sit loose, drape over the body, or rest comfortably while you lie down. That looseness is part of the value. Recovery should feel secure, not restrictive.
Where It Fits In A Recovery Protocol
Far infrared heat fits best where lingering discomfort calls for calm, deliberate support. The source points to back pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, strains, and sprains as common places where the pad may be used. The theme is consistent: irritated tissue needs recovery, not force.
The central mechanism described is increased circulation. More circulation brings warmth into the area and helps the body move through the residue of irritation. In plain terms, the body feels less guarded. Muscles can relax, and recovery has a clearer path.
Heat also changes the tone of a tense muscle. When the back is in spasm or a joint feels stiff, steady warmth can help the region settle. The source describes this as relaxing the muscles and calming inflammation. That combination supports movement with less friction.
Acute injuries need a different rhythm at first. For a fresh strain or sprain, the guidance is to use ice during the first 24 to 48 hours to calm the stronger inflammation that follows a new injury. This is not hesitation; it is sequencing. The body needs the right input at the right time.
After that acute window, heat can enter the protocol. Around the 48 hour mark, the source describes alternating ice and heat or using heat on its own, depending on what the body needs. The transition is simple: first reduce the surge, then restore warmth and circulation. Recovery becomes a steadier rhythm.
This is where far infrared heat becomes a daily reset rather than a reaction. You are not chasing pain after it peaks; you are creating conditions for the area to quiet down. The ritual is measured, repeatable, and easy to return to. Consistency gives the body room to adapt.
Daily Use, Placement, And Safety
Start with a session that feels clear and contained. The source recommends about 30 to 45 minutes, up to twice daily when needed, especially early in use or when discomfort is more present. This gives the body enough time to receive the warmth without turning the ritual into excess.
The pad has one setting, which keeps the protocol simple. The manufacturer recommends warming it first, with 10 minutes mentioned in the source, though the warmth can often be felt within the first few minutes. After about a week of twice-daily use, you can reduce frequency if symptoms settle. The aim is steady support, not more for its own sake.
Placement follows the body. For the back, the long strap can wrap around the torso while the cord points downward, reducing tugging and helping the pad hang comfortably. For the wrist, the pad can form a loose C shape around the joint. The same principle applies at the elbow: place the central plate where it feels most useful and let the side panels cover the surrounding area.
For the knee, you can place the pad across the top and bottom of the joint or orient it to reach the inside and outside. For the foot, the bottom plate can sit under the sole while the rest curves upward. For the shoulder and neck, use the strap that creates the safest, most comfortable position, and avoid any pressure around the throat. Comfort is part of correct placement.
The washable cover supports regular use. It can be removed with the Velcro closure and cleaned according to the instruction manual, either by machine wash or hand wash as directed. Keeping the cover clean makes the ritual easier to sustain. A recovery tool should feel cared for as well as useful.
It's not heat it's light that's going through.
Safety sets the boundary for any heat protocol. The source advises avoiding far infrared use during pregnancy, with hemophilia, or with severe adrenal suppression, and it recommends asking a doctor first when unsure. That counsel is simple and precise. When the body has a medical complexity, guidance comes before experimentation.
Metal hardware such as pins, screws, and surgical hardware is described as generally compatible. The source still suggests shorter first sessions, around 5 to 10 minutes, to test comfort and notice any unusual sensation. Begin with restraint, then adjust with confidence. Mastery is measured by attention.
