The science, the benefits, and why far infrared is emerging as the most powerful regenerative therapy for women 35–65.

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Red light therapy has exploded in popularity.
If you search “benefits of red light therapy,” “does red light therapy work for pain,” “red light therapy for inflammation,” or “red light vs infrared sauna,” you’ll find millions of results — and plenty of hype.

Red light does offer great benefits…

…but what most people don’t know is that far infrared light goes deeper, lasts longer, and creates actual cellular regeneration — not just surface-level change.

At our clinic in Arvada, Colorado, we work with women dealing with:

• hip and back pain
• pelvic floor dysfunction
• chronic inflammation
• perimenopause symptoms
• diastasis and core instability
• stress-related tightness
• slow recovery from exercise

And many of them come in saying:

“I’ve been trying red light therapy at a gym or at home… but nothing is really changing.”

This blog will help you understand why — and why far infrared (FIR) sauna therapy is quickly becoming one of the most effective tools for pain relief, inflammation reduction, and whole-body regeneration.

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🔴 What Red Light Therapy Is Good For

Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to support the mitochondria — the “battery packs” of our cells.

Red light is great for:

• improving skin tone
• increasing collagen
• reducing fine lines
• supporting mood
• helping mild inflammation
• boosting cellular energy

But here’s the important part:

Red light only penetrates 5–10 millimeters into the tissue.

That means it mostly affects:

• the skin
• very surface-level fascia
• the uppermost layers of circulation

It is not deep enough to make meaningful changes to:

• joint stiffness
• pelvic floor tension
• chronic hip or back pain
• inflammation deep in the tissues
• fascia mobility
• systemic recovery
• cardiovascular function

This is why so many women tell us they feel more “relaxed” from red light…
but not actually better.

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🔥 Why Far Infrared Sauna Therapy Works at a Deeper Level

Far infrared light penetrates 3–5 centimeters into the muscles, joints, and connective tissues.

That’s up to 30–50x deeper than red light.

And when you go deeper, the benefits completely change.

✓ 1. True cellular regeneration

Far infrared stimulates the mitochondria and activates Heat Shock Proteins, which repair damaged cells and generate healthier ones.

Why this matters:
You’re not just getting a glow —
you’re getting regenerated, detoxified, healthier cells from the inside out.

✓ 2. Major reduction in chronic inflammation

Infrared heat directly reduces inflammatory cytokines and improves oxygenation to irritated tissues.

Perfect for:

• pelvic floor tightness
• chronic hip or back pain
• stiffness
• autoimmune-related inflammation
• perimenopause-related joint pain

✓ 3. Deep muscle + fascia release

Far infrared softens tissues all the way into the fascia — the connective web that holds tension, trauma, and stress.

Clients consistently say:

“This is the first time my hips actually opened up.”

✓ 4. Nervous system regulation

Infrared heat calms the sympathetic nervous system — the fight-or-flight system — which plays a huge role in chronic pelvic floor and core tension.

This means:

• better sleep
• decreased anxiety
• reduced pelvic floor guarding
• improved digestion
• fewer flare-ups

✓ 5. Cardiovascular and metabolic benefits

Multiple studies show that far infrared sauna therapy:

• improves endothelial function
• increases nitric oxide
• lowers blood pressure
• increases circulation by up to 300%
• mimics the cardiovascular effects of moderate exercise

This is why FIR is sometimes called “passive cardio.”

Clients report:

• improved stamina
• fewer headaches
• warmer hands/feet
• less swelling
• better recovery after workouts

✓ 6. Supports detoxification + lymph flow

This isn’t the trendy “detox” language — this is physiologic detox backed by research.

Infrared heat:

• mobilizes lymph fluid
• increases sweating
• helps move out metabolic waste
• supports liver detox pathways
• breaks up water clusters

Which brings us to…

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💧 The Water Molecule Effect — Why FIR Changes the Body at the Deepest Level

Far infrared heat causes water molecules to vibrate and break apart larger clusters.

Why this matters:

• Your body is 70% water
• Your fascia, organs, lymphatic system, and even cells rely on fluid movement
• When water flows better → tissues get more oxygen
• Inflammation decreases
• Detoxification accelerates
• Cellular metabolism improves

This is why people feel:

• lighter
• more open
• less puffy
• less inflamed
• more hydrated (even though they’re sweating!)

Red light cannot do this.
Only far infrared wavelengths affect water inside the tissues.

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❤️ Real Client Experiences

“I felt like my whole system reset.” – Sarah, 47

“I do red light at home, but this was totally different. I could feel the heat deep in my hips and low back. I slept like a rock afterward, and the tension I’ve had for months released.”

“My inflammation is down and my mobility is up.” – Angela, 52

“My joints feel better after two sessions than they did after weeks of red light at my gym.”

“Finally something that works between PT sessions.” – Jen, 56

“My body doesn’t hold tension the same anymore. My recovery is faster and my pain has dropped.”

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🔥 Red Light is Good… Far Infrared is Transformational

If you love red light, great — you will love far infrared even more.

You still get:

• the glow
• the energy boost
• the mood lift

But now you also get:

• deeper healing
• regenerated cells
• reduced inflammation
• improved cardiovascular function
• pelvic floor + fascia release
• whole-body detox
• better sleep
• better mobility
• faster recovery

It’s the difference between pampering…
and true regeneration.

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Ready to Try Far Infrared Sauna Therapy in Arvada?

If you’re ready to experience the difference for yourself:

👉 Book a discovery call here
👉 Or give us a call at 720-722-0685 and we’ll get you scheduled

We’re proud to bring the most advanced regenerative therapies to the women in Arvada, Golden, Wheat Ridge, and northwest Denver —
because you deserve more than surface-level wellness.

You deserve deep, lasting healing.

Here to help you arrive at 70 feeling 50!

Dr. Casey Murphy ☘️

Back, Hip, and Pelvic Floor Specialist
Owner and Founder of Empower Physical Therapy & Pilates
Arvada, CO