UV and infrared soothe rheumatism
The combination of short-wave infrared (SWIR) and UV light has an effect on rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. The infrared provides pain relief and the dosed ultraviolet ensures a healthy level of vitamin D. The combination therapy, possible with Sunshower, relieves symptoms of osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatism.
Rheumatism includes more than a hundred chronic joint, tendon and bone disorders. 2.3 million Dutch people suffer from this. The forms of rheumatis, as described by the Reumafonds (Dutch Arthritis Association) on their website can be classified as: inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis psoriatica), age-related (arthrosis) and soft tissue disorders (fibromyalgia).
How can infrared and UV positively contribute to the well-being of people with rheumatism? Infrared radiation is invisible to humans. However, we can feel that radiation as heat. The short wave infrared directly heats the skin and the underlying tissue. This stimulates the blood circulation in painful muscles, tendons and joints, so that waste matter, such as in inflammations, is removed more quickly and more oxygen-rich blood is supplied.
This can reduce the start-up time for people with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Short wave infrared (SWIR) therapy is experienced as pain-relieving. The degree of pain relief varies per condition and per individual.
Positive effect of vitamin D on inflammation
Very few studies have been conducted into the effects of infrared therapy. However, Sunshower already has many users who experience relief from infrared. Research has been conducted, however, into the role of vitamin D and inflammatory forms of rheumatism. It has long been known that inflammatory diseases are less common closer to the equator. Since we know that vitamin D also plays an important role in the proper functioning of our immune system, the combination of vitamin D and rheumatism is also increasingly studied.
For example, it now appears that many patients with rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatism have a vitamin D deficiency. This also applies to people with psoriatic arthritis, SLE, scleroderma. The problem revealed in all the studies is that the effects of vitamin D deficiency are likely to be long-term ones.
Better well-being in summer
Studies into the effects of extra vitamin D on the diseases and symptoms are not yet available. However, there are theories that vitamin D affects the well-being of these patient groups. The most important factor is your own perception. Most people feel better in summer or while on holiday in a sunny country. In addition, patients often experience fewer symptoms, despite often being more active during that period.
Sunshower promotes research into the effect of infrared and UV light in people with rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. We do this together with rheumatologist Dr. Richard Verheesen, among others, who works at Reumacentrum MMC Eindhoven. He is involved in a personal capacity as advisor to SunshowerCare.
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