Infrared Heat & PEMF Therapy: A Powerful Duo for Wellness and Recovery

When we talk about pollution, discussion often references air quality, or contaminated rivers or fields. We also experience electrical pollution, a byproduct of our modern society, which is continually present around us.

Electrical pollution—also known as electromagnetic pollution or electrosmog—refers to the unwanted or excessive electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by man-made electrical systems and electronic devices. It is a growing area of concern as our environments become increasingly saturated with wireless signals and electric currents.

 

What Is Electrical Pollution?

Electrical pollution is caused by exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, typically in the low-frequency (LF) and radiofrequency (RF) ranges. Common sources include:

• Power lines and electrical wiring (60 Hz in North America, 50 Hz in Europe)
• Wi-Fi routers (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth devices
• Cell phones and cell towers
• Smart meters
• Computers and other digital electronics
• Microwaves and other WiFi based appliances
• Dirty electricity (high-frequency voltage transients on electrical wiring)

These EMFs are different from natural electromagnetic fields produced by the Earth or the sun. They are constant, pulsed, and often stronger, depending on proximity and usage patterns.

 

Potential Health Concerns

While scientific consensus is still forming, some research and anecdotal evidence suggest that chronic exposure to high levels of EMFs may contribute to symptoms or health effects such as:

• Sleep disturbances and insomnia
• Headaches or brain fog
• Fatigue
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Increased oxidative stress
• Hormonal disruption
• Potential as yet unknown long-term risks

A notable classification: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has labeled RF-EMFs as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B), based on studies linking cell phone use to glioma, a type of brain cancer.

Exposure over time to everything from small appliances, cell phones, power lines and WiFi signals in most buildings affects your biological systems which rely on electricity to communicate, i.e. sending signals along your nerves. The easiest way to adjust your nervous system back to baseline is to do “grounding” which can be done by placing your bare feet on the ground (grass, dirt, sand, etc) and/or your palms on tree trunks. The Earth emits a continuous signal at around 7.8Hz, which our bodies do respond to. See the image below for a reduction in inflammation after only 10 minutes of grounding.

 

It’s not always easy to be outside long enough to offset our electrical exposure, which is why grounding mats have become so popular. The Healtheory’s PEMF mat can be understood as a grounding mat “plus,” with additional features and options to promote healing.

As we search for additional ways to recharge and restore, two innovative therapies have emerged as front-runners in the wellness space: Infrared Heat and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy. While each has its own benefits, combining the two can create a powerful synergy for healing, detoxification, and long-term health.

Let’s explore how they work—and what science says about their benefits.

 

What Is Infrared Heat?

Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air, infrared saunas use infrared light to penetrate the skin and warm the body from within. This creates a deep, therapeutic sweat at a lower ambient temperature, which many find more comfortable and effective.

Scientific Benefits of Infrared Heat

• Detoxification: Studies have shown that sweat induced by infrared saunas can contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, as well as environmental toxins like BPA (Genuis et al., 2011)
• Improved Circulation and Cardiovascular Health: Regular infrared sauna use can improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure. A 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that frequent sauna use was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality (Laukkanen et al., 2015)
• Pain Reduction: Infrared heat therapy has been shown to help reduce chronic pain, including that from conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia (Ko et al., 2015)
• Skin Health: Infrared therapy may improve skin clarity, tone, and elasticity due to increased circulation and collagen production (Inoue et al., 2008)

 

What Is PEMF Therapy?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate and support cellular function. These fields mimic the Earth’s natural electromagnetic frequencies and work at the cellular level to improve healing and regeneration.

Scientific Benefits of PEMF Therapy

• Enhanced Cellular Function: PEMF can increase ATP production and improve ion exchange across cell membranes, leading to better oxygenation and nutrient absorption (Markov, 2007)
• Pain and Inflammation Reduction: Clinical trials have found PEMF effective in reducing pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (Pilla, 2013)
• Bone and Tissue Healing: PEMF has been FDA-approved for non-union bone fractures and has been shown to accelerate healing in soft tissues (Bassett, 1995)
• Improved Sleep and Mood: Exposure to low-frequency PEMF has been linked to improved sleep patterns and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety (Pelka et al., 2001)

 

Why Combine Infrared and PEMF?

When used together, infrared and PEMF therapies create a dynamic healing environment:

• Infrared promotes circulation and detoxification, relaxing the body and prepping it for deeper repair
• PEMF recharges cells and boosts intracellular communication, enhancing the regenerative effects initiated by infrared heat

Together, they support:

• Faster muscle recovery and reduced soreness
• More effective toxin elimination
• Enhanced mental clarity and stress reduction
• Accelerated wound and tissue healing

 

A Modern Ritual for Holistic Wellness

What used to be limited to clinical settings is now available at home, with safe and effective infrared/PEMF mats, saunas, and wearable devices. Whether you’re an athlete seeking faster recovery, a biohacker optimizing performance, or someone managing chronic pain, this dual therapy offers a natural path to healing.

The Healtheory’s PEMF mat operates between 6 and 28Hz, which is many orders of magnitude lower than the Wi-Fi that you walk through regularly. WiFi operates in GHz, which is one billion Hz, so you are regularly exposed to extremely high levels of frequency in comparison to very low, more closely mirroring nature’s frequencies.

The Healtheory PEMF mat does operate at the Schumann resonance, which gives a calming, grounding experience, and you have other frequencies to select as well, including Meditation, Deep Relaxation, and Active Focus.

The PEMF mat will emit the selected EMF (which can also be set to “0” for Infrared Heat therapy alone) for 10 minutes at the beginning of the cycle, and then will turn off the EMF and operate with Infrared Heat alone for 100 minutes before the EMF is expressed again. Each PEMF mat comes with a magnetic ‘chip’ in a glass tube that you can hold over the corners and edges of the PEMF mat to detect where the electromagnetism is emitted.

While we would always encourage exposure to nature as the best remedy for healing, we also offer options that can be used during your workday or other healing/therapeutic times of your day.

 

Final Thoughts

Your body is designed to heal, and technologies like infrared heat and PEMF don’t override that wisdom—they support it. By boosting circulation, cellular energy, and detoxification, these therapies offer a gentle but powerful way to restore balance and vitality.

As always, consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new therapy—especially if you have a pacemaker, are pregnant, or have a chronic condition.

References

• Genuis SJ, et al. Human excretion of bisphenol A: blood, urine, and sweat (2011). Journal of Environmental and Public Health
• Laukkanen T, et al. Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular outcomes (2015). JAMA Internal Medicine
• Ko G, et al. Effects of infrared therapy on pain and health-related quality of life (2015). Pain Research & Management
• Inoue S, et al. Effects of far-infrared rays on skin texture and wrinkles (2008). Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy
• Markov MS. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy history, state of the art and future (2007). Environmentalist
• Pilla AA. Mechanisms and therapeutic applications of time-varying and static magnetic fields (2013). Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine
• Bassett CA. Beneficial effects of electromagnetic fields (1995). Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
• Pelka RB, et al. Effect of PEMF on patients with insomnia and depression (2001). Advances in Therapy