Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2023 Jan;39(1):3-15.
doi: 10.1111/phpp.12799. Epub 2022 May 21.

Physical properties and biological effects of ceramic materials emitting infrared radiation for pain, muscular activity, and musculoskeletal conditions

Jan Kyselovic  1 , Jozef Masarik  2 , Hayet Kechemir  3 , Eva Koscova  4 , Iva Igracki Turudic  5 , Michael Richard Hamblin  6
Affiliations
Review

Physical properties and biological effects of ceramic materials emitting infrared radiation for pain, muscular activity, and musculoskeletal conditions

Jan Kyselovic et al. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Up to 33% of the general population worldwide suffer musculoskeletal conditions, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability globally. Multimodal therapeutic options are available to relieve the pain associated with muscular disorders, including physical, complementary, and pharmacological therapies. However, existing interventions are not disease modifying and have several limitations.

Method: Literature review.

Results: In this context, the use of nonthermal infrared light delivered via patches, fabrics, and garments containing infrared-emitting bioceramic minerals have been investigated. Positive effects on muscular cells, muscular recovery, and reduced inflammation and pain have been reported both in preclinical and clinical studies. There are several hypotheses on how infrared may contribute to musculoskeletal pain relief, however, the full mechanism of action remains unclear. This article provides an overview of the physical characteristics of infrared radiation and its biological effects, focusing on those that could potentially explain the mechanism of action responsible for the relief of musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusions: Based on the current evidence, the following pathways have been considered: upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, increase in nitric oxide bioavailability, anti-inflammatory effects, and reduction in oxidative stress.

Keywords: bioceramic; infrared; mechanism of action; musculoskeletal pain.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

JK and JM have no conflict of interest to declare. MRH declares the following potential conflicts of interest: Scientific Advisory Boards – Transdermal Cap, Inc., Cleveland, OH; Hologenix, Inc., Santa Monica, CA; Vielight, Toronto, Canada; JOOVV, Inc., Minneapolis‐St. Paul, MN; Consulting – USHIO Corp, Japan; Sanofi‐Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. IIT, HK, and EK are employees of Sanofi CHC and may hold shares and/or stock options in the company.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Electromagnetic spectrum and infrared radiation
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Electromagnetic radiation and energy transfer. Infrared radiation, a nonionizing radiation, transfers enough energy to the receiver to increase the vibrational energy levels of the bonds or molecules, which ultimately result in an increase of temperature. Abbreviations: λ, wavelength; v, frequency; UV, ultraviolet
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Skin anatomy and infrared penetration depth
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Cellular signaling pathways triggered by IR radiation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. World Health Organization (WHO) . Musculoskeletal conditions. WHO. Updated February 2021. Accessed 14 March, 2021. https://www.who.int/news‐room/fact‐sheets/detail/musculoskeletal‐conditions
    1. Clarke AM, Symmons DPM. The burden of rheumatic disease. Medicine. 2006;34(9):333‐335. doi:10.1053/j.mpmed.2006.06.007 - DOI
    1. Arendt‐Nielsen L, Fernández‐de‐Las‐Peñas C, Graven‐Nielsen T. Basic aspects of musculoskeletal pain: from acute to chronic pain. J Man Manip Ther. 2011;19(4):186‐193. doi:10.1179/106698111X13129729551903 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Puntillo F, Giglio M, Paladini A, et al. Pathophysiology of musculoskeletal pain: a narrative review. Ther Adv Musculoskeletal Dis. 2021;13:1759720X21995067. doi:10.1177/1759720X21995067 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Health H. State of MSK report 2021: changing musculoskeletal trends are redefining MSK care 2021:31. https://healthactioncouncil.org/getmedia/a738c3c5‐7c23‐4739‐bb8d‐069dd5f...

Grants and funding