Why Inflammation Can Really Get Under Our Skin
Ever feel puffy, achy, and just off? There is a good chance chronic inflammation is involved, even if you are eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise. Whether it shows up as bloating, slow recovery, soreness, or changes in your skin, inflammation can quietly drag you down over time.
At Body Lab Studio in Myrtle Beach, we hear about this every day from clients. Many are frustrated because they feel like they are doing everything right. Pills, quick fixes, or constantly rotating through ice packs and heating pads only go so far.
People want solutions that are safe, natural, and backed by real science. Infrared therapy is one of the approaches we use to support the body’s own healing response and help calm inflammation from the inside out and supports circulation, comfort, and recovery associated with inflammatory stress.
Inflammation and Chronic Inflammation: What It Is and Why It Lingers
Inflammation is your body’s natural protective response to stress, injury, or illness. Short term inflammation is a good thing. It helps you fight infections, repair tissue, and recover from exercise or minor injuries.
The problem starts when inflammation becomes chronic. Modern life is full of triggers that can keep your immune system in a low level activated state, including:
- Ongoing stress
- Environmental toxins and pollutants
- Poor sleep and irregular schedules
- Repetitive strain and injuries
- Blood sugar swings and highly processed foods
When the inflammatory response does not fully resolve, it can show up in ways such as:
- Stubborn bloating and swelling
- Joint and muscle pain or stiffness
- Declining skin texture or firmness, age spots, breakouts, and dull tone
- Fatigue, sluggish exercise recovery, and slower metabolism
- A general feeling of heaviness or being “weighed down”
Over time, chronic inflammation can affect blood vessels, connective tissue, lymphatic flow, and cellular energy. That is why many people feel inflamed in more than one area at once.
The goal is not to shut inflammation off completely. Instead, the goal is to support the body so it can move through a healthy inflammatory process and resolve it more efficiently. This is where infrared and red light based therapies come in.
Infrared for Inflammation: The Science Behind the Benefits
Infrared therapy is a non-invasive, light-based approach that uses specific wavelengths of infrared energy to gently warm the body from the inside out.
Unlike traditional saunas, which primarily heat the air around you, Body Lab Studio does not offer medical-grade infrared saunas. Instead, our infrared offerings focus on:
- Wellness Pods (Cocoon style)
- Infrared-enhanced equipment
- Infrared body rollers
These methods are designed to create controlled, relaxing heat exposure that supports circulation, lymphatic drainage, and recovery.
Research on infrared and related photobiomodulation therapies shows that these wavelengths can:
- Improve blood flow and microcirculation: supporting oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues
- Encourage natural vasodilation through heat and light exposure: helping blood vessels relax and improve circulation
- Support comfort and pain relief: particularly for general muscle and joint discomfort associated with tension, stiffness, or overuse
- Assist lymphatic fluid movement: helping reduce feelings of heaviness, swelling, or fluid retention in the body
- Support cellular recovery processes: including the body’s ability to manage oxidative stress and restore balance after physical or metabolic stress
Below are three key ways infrared may help support a healthy inflammatory response.
1. Increasing Blood Flow and Oxygen Delivery
When infrared heat is applied, it promotes vasodilation, which means your blood vessels relax and widen. This improvement in circulation allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach tissues while metabolic waste products are carried away more efficiently.
In both athletes and people with circulation related issues, research has shown that infrared and red or near infrared light can improve vascular function and recovery.
For people dealing with chronic inflammation, better microcirculation means:
- Faster delivery of inflammation fighting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- More efficient removal of inflammatory byproducts and cellular waste
- Improved tissue oxygenation, which supports healing and energy production
In everyday terms, clients often describe this as feeling “lighter,” “looser,” or more mobile after sessions.
2. Supporting Lymphatic Drainage and Detoxification
Your lymphatic system acts as one of the body’s main clean up and drainage networks. It helps move excess fluid, inflammatory molecules, immune cells, and metabolic waste out of tissues.
When lymphatic flow is sluggish, people often notice swelling, puffiness, or a generalized heavy feeling.
At Body Lab Studio, we combine multiple methods to support lymphatic function:
- Infrared pods to gently warm tissues and support circulation
- Lymphatic draining methods such as body rollers and LPG Endermologie to mechanically assist lymphatic movement
- Recovery sequences that include guided positioning and sequences chosen to complement lymphatic flow
Benefits our clients often report include:
- Less bloating or puffiness
- Relief from the “heavy legs” or “waterlogged” feeling
- Smoother feeling tissues and a greater sense of mobility
By giving the lymphatic system additional support, the body is better able to clear inflammatory byproducts and maintain fluid balance.
3. Relaxing Muscles and Joints Without Drugs
Muscle tension and joint stiffness are both causes and consequences of persistent inflammation. When muscles stay tight and joints remain irritated, they can restrict movement, alter posture, and place extra strain on surrounding tissues.
Infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper than traditional surface heating pads. Instead of just warming the skin, they deliver heat into muscle tissue and around joints.
By helping tissues relax, infrared therapy may:
- Ease aching muscles and joints without medications
- Support faster return to daily activities and exercise
- Break the cycle of chronic tension that can keep inflammation going
- Provide a restorative, meditative environment that also helps calm the nervous system
Many Body Lab Studio clients describe their infrared sessions as both physically and mentally decompressing, which is important, because chronic psychological stress is itself a major driver of inflammation.
Calming Inflammation with Body Lab Studio: Custom Infrared Wellness
Inflammation does not look the same on everyone. Some people struggle mostly with post workout soreness, while others notice puffiness, swelling, or skin changes.
At Body Lab Studio, we tailor each plan based on a body assessment, goals, and comfort preferences. Infrared therapy is often combined with complementary technologies to create a complete, science-informed recovery and inflammation support program.
Custom Combinations We Use
Many clients choose to combine multiple services in one visit or across the week, for example:
- Infrared pods for full body relaxation and circulation support
- POLY Red Light Therapy to support skin health, collagen, and surface level inflammation
- Lymphatic Draining tools such as body rollers and LPG Endermologie for de-bloating and fluid balance
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) induces repeated muscle contractions to improve muscle engagement, tone, and strength
- Radiofrequency (RF) uses controlled heat to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness and texture
These options work synergistically. Infrared promotes deeper circulation and warmth. Red light therapy focuses on skin and superficial tissues. Lymphatic draining techniques mechanically assist fluid movement. EMS and RF sculpting add a muscular and skin tightening component.
The result is a layered approach that focuses on:
- Making you feel lighter and less swollen
- Supporting your joints and muscles
- Helping your skin look more vibrant and resilient
Encouraging your body to resolve inflammation more efficiently over time
Infrared Options to Reduce Inflammation Compared to Other Approaches
Infrared wellness for inflammation relief at Body Lab Studio
- How it works: Uses infrared wavelengths to penetrate deeper into tissues, gently warming muscles and connective tissue, promoting vasodilation, boosting microcirculation, and supporting lymphatic flow. Often combined with lymphatic draining, red light therapy, and recovery sequences.
- Pros: Non invasive, drug free, and supported by a growing body of research on photobiomodulation, far infrared therapy, and circulation and lymphatic outcomes. Customizable to comfort level, sensitivity, and health goals. Can be paired with broader lifestyle changes for long term benefits.
- Limitations: Benefits build over time. It is not a replacement for medical care in serious conditions and should be integrated thoughtfully for those with cardiovascular, heat sensitivity, or other health issues under appropriate guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Infrared Therapy and Inflammation
1. Is Infrared Therapy Safe?
For most people, infrared therapy is considered safe when administered properly. At Body Lab Studio, all infrared sessions are:
- Non-invasive and contact-free
- Adjustable for intensity and duration
- Supervised by trained staff focused on client comfort and safety
2. How Is Infrared Different from Red Light Therapy?
Infrared and red light therapy are related but not identical.
- Infrared light penetrates deeper into the body and focuses on muscles, joints, connective tissue, circulation, and lymphatic flow.
- Red light therapy primarily affects superficial tissues, especially the skin, supporting collagen, reducing local inflammation, and improving wound and scar healing.
At Body Lab Studio, we often use both together. Infrared pods focus on deeper circulation and relaxation, while POLY Red Light Therapy targets surface-level recovery and skin health.
3. Is Infrared Safe to Use Every Day?
Infrared can be used frequently, sometimes even daily, as part of a structured routine. Frequency depends on health status, goals, and how your body responds to heat and light-based therapies.
During your consultation, we discuss your health, cardiovascular history, goals, and suggest a safe, sustainable schedule.
4. What Can I Expect from My First Infrared Session?
- A brief review of wellness goals and relevant health history
- Guidance on getting comfortable in the infrared wellness pod or station
- Clear explanation of what to expect during the session
- Recommendations on combining infrared with red light therapy, lymphatic draining, or recovery sequences
Most clients describe the experience as deeply relaxing, gently warming, and surprisingly calming.
5. How Soon Can I Expect to See or Feel Results?
Some clients report:
- Less stiffness and a lighter feeling in their body after the first session
- Improved sleep or more easeful recovery within the first few visits
- Changes in bloating, puffiness, or skin appearance over several consistent sessions
Long-term benefits, such as support for inflammation, circulation, and tissue quality, are best achieved with a consistent protocol.
Ready to Experience Infrared and Red Light Therapy in Myrtle Beach?
You do not have to settle for ongoing bloating, aches, and a constant feeling of heaviness. When you support circulation, lymphatic system, and cellular health, your body can move through inflammation instead of getting stuck in it.
At Body Lab Studio, our infrared pods, POLY Red Light Therapy, lymphatic draining options, and customized recovery sequences are all designed to help your body do what it is already trying to do: heal, restore, and rebalance.
Book your first consultation today and experience a calm, science-informed approach to inflammation and recovery.
Ahokas, E. K., Kyröläinen, H., Häkkinen, K., Walker, S., Mero, A. A., & Ihalainen, J. K. (2023). A post-exercise infrared sauna session improves recovery of neuromuscular performance and muscle soreness after resistance exercise: A randomized cross-over trial. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, 1194314. This randomized cross-over study included 20 resistance-trained adults who completed both an infrared sauna condition and a passive recovery condition following heavy leg exercise, with each protocol evaluated over a 24 hour recovery period. The infrared sauna group used a single 10 minute post exercise session and showed improved jump performance recovery and reduced muscle soreness compared with passive recovery, supporting infrared sauna as a useful recovery aid. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37398966/
Mero, A., Tornberg, J., Mäntykoski, M., & Puurtinen, R. (2015). Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men. SpringerPlus, 4, 321. This study followed 10 healthy male athletes across multiple strength and endurance training sessions combined with far infrared sauna bathing over a several week period, with sauna exposures lasting 30 minutes after training. Far infrared saunas promoted subjective recovery and muscle relaxation without impairing performance, indicating it may help athletes and active individuals recover more comfortably from repeated exercise. https://springerplus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40064-015-1093-5
Yoon, Y. S., Park, H. J., & Kang, J. H. (2017). Efficacy and safety of far infrared radiation in lymphedema treatment. Medicine, 96(7), e6028. In this clinical study, 64 patients with stage II and III lymphedema received far infrared radiation therapy combined with conventional treatment, typically five 40 minute sessions per week over 4 weeks. After therapy, limb circumference significantly decreased and quality of life improved, with no serious adverse events, suggesting that far infrared radiation can safely support lymphatic drainage and edema reduction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28127644/
Paolillo, F. R., Borghi-Silva, A., Costa, D., & Catai, A. M. (2017). Infrared light therapy on vascular function: A biophysical approach. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337–348. This biophysical review draws on multiple human and experimental studies, usually involving 8 to 40 participants per protocol and durations from acute single sessions to several weeks, to examine how infrared and near infrared light affect vascular and endothelial function. The authors report that near infrared light improves microcirculation and endothelial nitric oxide signaling, supporting the role of infrared in enhancing blood flow and tissue oxygenation relevant to inflammatory conditions. https://doi.org/10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
Di Gennaro, G. L., Kleef, R., & Zanon, P. (2012). Far infrared emitting plaster in knee osteoarthritis: A single blinded, randomised clinical trial. Reumatismo, 64(6), 388–394. This single blinded randomized trial enrolled 60 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who wore either far infrared emitting or placebo plasters for 12 hours per day over 10 consecutive days. Participants using the far infrared plasters experienced greater pain reduction, better functional scores, and decreased joint effusion compared with the placebo group, supporting localized far infrared application as a non pharmacological option for joint pain associated with inflammation. https://www.reumatismo.org/reuma/article/view/reumatismo.2012.388
Kashiwagi, S., Tsukada, K., Suzuki, R., & Nakajima, Y. (2023). Photobiomodulation and nitric oxide signaling. Redox Biology, 54, 102358. This mechanistic review compiles data from numerous cell and animal studies, typically spanning hours to weeks of red or near infrared light exposure, to clarify how photobiomodulation influences nitric oxide release and downstream signaling. The authors conclude that red and near infrared light can trigger nitric oxide release from cytochrome c oxidase and endothelial cells, promoting vasodilation, improved microcirculation, and modulation of oxidative stress, all of which are important for managing inflammation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36462596/
Sharma, S., Hamblin, M. R., & de Sousa, M. V. (2023). Role of opsins and light or heat activated transient receptor potential ion channels in infrared therapy. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 42, 103324. In this narrative review of dozens of preclinical studies involving cell cultures and animal models with typical group sizes of 6 to 20 subjects and durations of days to weeks, the authors examine how red and near infrared light, as well as heat, activate opsins and transient receptor potential channels. They report that these receptors modulate calcium influx, pain pathways, and inflammatory mediators, providing a biological basis for the analgesic and anti inflammatory effects seen in infrared and light based therapies. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666469023000015
Herrera, M. A., Li, S., Wang, Y., & Hamblin, M. R. (2024). Red-light photons on skin cells and the mechanism of action in phototherapy. Frontiers in Photonics, 5, 1370493. This review integrates findings from in vitro skin cell experiments, animal models, and early human trials, with individual studies generally including 10 to 50 samples or participants over periods of days to several months. The authors show that red light reduces pro inflammatory cytokine expression, enhances collagen production, and accelerates wound and tissue repair, supporting its role in calming skin level inflammation and promoting recovery when used consistently. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphot.2024.1370493
Chow, R. T., Johnson, M. I., Lopes-Martins, R. Á. B., & Bjordal, J. M. (2009). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. The Lancet, 374(9705), 1897–1908. This meta-analysis pooled data from 16 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 820 patients with acute and chronic neck pain treated with red or near infrared low level laser therapy over periods ranging from a single session to 22 weeks. Low level laser therapy significantly reduced pain immediately after treatment and at medium term follow up compared with control conditions, supporting clinically meaningful pain relief and anti inflammatory benefits of photobiomodulation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19913903/
Kavanagh, H., & Piller, N. (2010). Low-level laser therapy (photobiomodulation therapy) for breast cancer-related lymphedema. Lasers in Medical Science, 25(5), 737–744. This article reviews and reports on clinical trials of photobiomodulation therapy for breast cancer related lymphedema, with individual randomized and controlled studies typically including 20 to 50 participants treated over 4 to 12 weeks. Across these trials, low level red and near infrared laser therapy applied to affected regions reduced limb volume, softened fibrotic tissues, decreased discomfort, and improved mobility, indicating that light based therapies can support lymphatic drainage and chronic inflammatory swelling. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-009-0712-8
