Energy Healing - Part 1: How Far Infrared Radiation Enhances Healing Touch - The Science Behind Therapeutic Warmth

Part 1 of this series

Introduction

Have you ever felt a gentle warmth radiating from a practitioner’s hands during treatment? Or noticed a calming heat when someone offers comforting touch? This sensation is more than just psychological. Science shows that human touch emits far-infrared radiation (FIR)—and this subtle energy carries powerful physiological effects.In fact, hands emit FIR wavelengths around 9–10 micrometers, matching the thermal radiation of human skin (Kim et al., 2019). But this radiance doesn’t just stay on the surface. It triggers important biological processes beneath the skin.

Nitric Oxide Production: The Healing Molecule

Exposure to FIR stimulates an enzyme called endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to the production of nitric oxide (NO) (Park et al., 2013). Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator—a molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls, allowing better blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.Improved blood flow isn’t the only benefit. FIR also boosts lymphatic circulation, helping drain metabolic waste and reduce tissue congestion. In essence, what feels like “healing warmth” from hands is a bioactive signal promoting circulation, detoxification, and tissue repair."My patients say they feel warmth spreading even before I touch them," shared a practitioner. "I used to think it was psychological. Now I realize the warmth is real and physiological."

Is Heat the Same as Grounding?

A common question arises: does this healing warmth also “ground” the body?

👉 The short answer: no—heat is not grounding.While far-infrared radiation transfers energy as heat (via photons), grounding refers to the transfer of electrical charge (electrons) through a conductive pathway. FIR increases tissue temperature and molecular vibration, but it doesn’t move electrons or neutralize electrical potential differences.Grounding (also known as earthing) requires:- A charge differential- A conductive connection (skin-to-skin, barefoot on earth, conductive mat)- A path for electron flow to equalize electrical potentialWithout electron transfer, there’s no grounding—even if warmth is present.That said, grounding and FIR heat can occur simultaneously if conditions allow, but they remain distinct processes:

✅ FIR = radiant heat via photons

✅ Grounding = electrical charge movement via electrons

👉 Want to explore the science of grounding and biofields? Stay tuned for my upcoming deep dive on “The Bioelectric and Biofield Mechanisms of Grounding”

Why It Matters for Manual Therapists and Bodyworkers

This evidence explains why gentle, sustained therapeutic touch can support healing—even without deep tissue manipulation. Through far-infrared radiation and nitric oxide activation, hands-on therapy improves microcirculation, encourages lymphatic drainage, and primes tissues for repair.Whether you’re a manual therapist, bodyworker, or health professional, knowing the science behind healing touch empowers you to practice with greater intention—and reassure clients that your hands carry measurable healing power.

Key Takeaways

✔️ Human touch emits far-infrared radiation (~9–10 µm wavelength).

✔️ FIR triggers nitric oxide production, improving blood and lymphatic flow.

✔️ Gentle touch leverages natural radiance to support tissue healing.

✔️ Heat transfer is not the same as grounding, though both can coexist under specific conditions.

References

Kim, S., Kim, J., Lee, Y., & Park, J. H. (2019). Far-infrared radiation upregulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity through increasing biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin in endothelial cells. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, 1813282. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1813282

Park, J. H., Lee, Y., Park, K., & Kim, K. (2013). Far-infrared radiation acutely increases nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 436(4), 601–606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.06.003

Corson, M. A., James, N. L., Latta, S. E., Nerem, R. M., Berk, B. C., & Harrison, D. G. (1996). Phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in response to fluid shear stress. Circulation Research, 79(5), 984–991. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.res.79.5.984