Peat Hyperthermia Therapy plays an essential role in the detoxification of the body
Each day we are exposed to a multitude of toxins in the
environment—through the water, ground, air and even in our food. Our
bodies try to process and eliminate these toxins, but with the large
levels of chemicals and toxins in the environment, our bodies are not
able to keep up with such a toxic load. Studies have shown that human
tissue contains 400-600 chemical residues.
Peat Hyperthermia Therapy (a form of balneotherapy) provides one of
the most powerful systemic detoxification effects on the body to help
eliminate dangerous environmental toxins out of the body.
Many forms of cancer and chronic disease have been clearly linked to
environmental toxins, and these diseases have increased dramatically in
incidence over time.
Heavy metal toxicities impair our immune systems, affect our cognitive functioning, and can cause skin reactions and disease.
Toxins accumulate in our tissues and organ systems, impairing proper
functioning, and even causing cell death and mutations. Such therapies
enhance the body’s own systems of healing and detoxification, and
provide nutrients needed for such. The result is an improvement in
overall cell and organ functioning and the increased ability of the body
to heal itself.
Hyperthermia (Heat) Therapy
The controlled transference of heat into the body for therapeutic
effects, including many direct and indirect effects on the body. One of
the key effects is to produce a body fever (again in a controlled
environment)
- As the body temperature elevates, the body attempts to dissipate the
heat and reacts by causing an acceleration of the heart rate causing a
profound enhancement in blood flow (A PASSIVE EXERCISE)
- The body attempts to dissipate heat through the skin, causing the
body to open up the skin pores and gives a good sweat (AN ACTIVE SWEAT)
- The heat sensitizes viruses, bacteria, while boosting the immune system.
- The heat regulates hormones and the metabolic rate
- Fat cells become mobilized along with their stored chemicals
- The heat stress causes an internal adaptation and production of endogenous antioxidant system.
What is Peat Hyperthermia Therapy?
Peat
Natural Peat is carbonised vegetable matter formed from the
biological degradation of plant material that has been formed over the
history of time on earth, over 40,000 years, and mined deep within the
earth’s matter – a rich mineralisation layer (aka, nature’s pharmacy
containing a variety of essential minerals, trace elements, enzymes,
organic acids, and other natural substance). These are deep level
vascular (low-moor) peats, mineral rich and pollutant free, and have a
high content of biologically active substances, and more
importantly, are best for therapeutic use!
The Procedure
This therapy is categorised into 2 phases: The Heating Phase and The Parasympathetic Phase
In the Heating Phase:
Peat matter is extracted and added to heat, either with hot water or a
hot pack. The compounds within the peat are then applied to the human
body and there is a transference of these rich minerals, including rare
earth minerals, humic and fulvic acid, and of course the heat.
We call this procedure Peat Hyperthermia Therapy, because the
subsequent reaction is that the body gains this heat and starts to cause
an elevation in body temperature. One interesting facet with peat is
that it can hold in a temperature and keep it stable. With this unique
quality, it can maintain a higher temperature of water over time. More
importantly, it can reduce water’s superficial conductance of heat;
thereby allowing for a higher temperature that can safely get into the
body.
The body now begins to compensate by raising its heart rate (passive
exercise) and simultaneously dissipating the heat to the skin while
opening up its sweat glands (active sweat). At this point in time, the
therapeutic actions have been achieved. Now it’s time to move from phase
1 into phase 2, the Parasympathetic Phase.
In the Parasympathetic Phase:
This is one of the more important parts of the therapy, because at
this point, the body is wrapped in towels and blankets to keep and
maintain the effects of the bath phase. It is during this phase, that
the elevation in body temperature can be maintained, along with the
elevation in heart rate and deep sweat. For added benefit during this
phase, the legs can be elevated by 30 degrees and held under slight
pressure for 30 seconds, every 5 minutes and repeated three times. This
not only has a strong stimulation of the central nervous system, but
also can greatly benefit those suffering from back or neck pain,
including herniations.
Health Benefits
Peat has a water carrying capacity from its micropore composition
that allows it to maintain either hot or cold temperatures. It is this
ability that provides for much of the peats therapeutic potential. The
heat carrying capacity creates the prolonged vasodilation and increased
circulation (THE CIRCULATORY EFFECT) that lasts for several hours after
the peat bath has ended, and allows the naturally occurring substances
in peat to be absorbed into the body, while the toxins and wastes that
have accumulated in our tissues are excreted (THE DETOXIFYING
EFFECT). Peat Hyperthermia Therapy helps to reverse cellular damage by
dramatically increasing circulation and cellular fluids, allowing oxygen
and nutrients to reach the cells, and helping wastes and toxins to
leave the cells so that the cells can function optimally.
Circulation
As we age heart disease and stress constrict blood flow through our
arteries. Peat reverses this aging process, delivering rich oxygen and
nutrients to cells through enhanced circulation.
THE PASSIVE WORKOUT!
Detoxification
Clearly, with the inundation of chemicals and toxins in the
environment, our bodies are not able to keep up with such a huge toxic
load. Hyperthermia treatments with peat play an essential role in
detoxification of the body.
Most toxins are stored in our fat tissue. The intense heat from PHT
mobilizes the toxins stored in our tissues, increases our circulation,
and allows for toxin excretion, mainly through perspiration. Removal
of toxins from our bodies improves cellular function, increases our
circulation and immune system, and enhances our general health and well
being.
PHT has the ability to aid in the elimination of stored heavy
metals—mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and tin—as well as other highly
toxic sub-stances and compounds from our bodies. The humic acid found
in peat has the ability to bind benzopyrene, the carcinogenic compound
found in cigarettes, thus possibly inhibiting its mutagenic effects.
Fulvic acid in peat absorbs aluminum, making PHT potentially important
in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
The dermal vasodilation effects of peat allow for elimination of
toxins from the body and the humic and fulvic acids bind to metals,
giving rise to its antioxidant effects.
AN ACTIVE SWEAT!
Additional Benefits
Soft tissue healing, Arthritis, Chronic Pain Conditions
In addition to general detoxification
effects, Peat Hyperthermia Therapies also have numerous other beneficial
effects on the body, particularly its healing. Peat therapies allow
people to heal faster and return to their daily activities without the
use of pain masking drugs and their side effects. Pain relief is
immediate after just one peat treatment, and can last for up to three
days. After several baths that pain relief becomes longer term and
often lasts for years.
Arthritis Pain
Arthritic conditions have been well
documented under peat therapies. Many studies have concluded that peat
therapies may actually be more effective than standard medical
therapies. Peat’s anti inflammatory properties, through increased
circulation and removal of toxic substances, along with its analgesic
effects, take away the pain, spasms, and inflammation of arthritis.
Peat stabilizes collagen tissues, increasing mobility and range of
motion, allowing a return to normal functioning. As well peat protects
against cartilage destruction, which helps prevent osteoarthritis. Peat
treatments have been in use by North American Pain Centers for
arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain
syndromes with excellent results. Peat treatments are also in use by
NFL football players. What better way to treat sports injuries than
with a natural muscle relaxing, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving
treatments with no side effects? It increases tensile strength of
connective tissue and increases mineral concentrations, which aid in the
healing. Peat also increases endorphins, the body’s natural
painkiller.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Peat has shown a decrease in the level
of C-reactive protein and an elevation of hemoglobin with a series of
treatments. This coincided with a significant decrease in pain and an
increase in function.
Fibromylagia Pain
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a very
common rheumatological diagnosis, pronounced by pain, anxiety, and
difficulty with daily living activities. Studies have shown that there
was an improvement in the number of tender points in test subjects after
receiving balneotherapy. The natural analgesic effects and hormone
balancing abilities of peat also can ease the symptoms of FMS.
Soft Tissue, Sports Injuries, Muscle Tension
Peat therapy is a natural muscle
relaxing, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving treatment with no side
effects. Healing time is decreased with the use of peat therapy, which
makes it an important aid in rehabilitation of injuries. Studies have
also showed that using peat prevents adhesions from forming.
Fractures
Peat therapies decrease the healing time
of post fracture rehabilitation by increasing circulation and
decreasing inflammation in the fracture area. Peat’s ability to
increase tensile strength of connective tissues and increase mineral
concentrations also speed up healing.
Hematomas
Peat with its intense vasodilation and
anti-inflammatory effects and interactions if its ions and mineral
properties, including free iron not transported by macrophages, is an
efficient therapy for the treatment of hematomas. Hematomas treated
with thermal peat application were resolved 50% faster, with no
hemosiderin residue as compared with treatment with only heat
applications, which often left residues.
Gynecological Conditions
Traditionally, Peat Baths have been used
for gynecological conditions, ranging from PMS, to dysmenorrehea,
painful cramping, menopausal symptoms, and infertility. The effects have
been clinically documented in the physiological changes in hormonal
levels, from hormones like FSH, LH, and estrogen, just to name a few.
Peat Hyperthermia Therapy has been shown to be beneficial in helping
with menstrual and premenstrual conditions. The muscle relaxant and
circulation improving abilities, analgesic effects, and hormone
balancing capability, make Peat a perfect way to ease menstrual
disorders and PMS.
HPV
Antiviral effects of peat have been
demonstrated on several viruses, including the human papilloma virus.
Remission and prevention of implantation of the virus has been
described. This is a measure, which prevents cancer. The antiviral and
antineoplastic effects are thought to be associated with the ability of
peat constituents such as humic acid to bind on lectin binding
junctions blocking viral entry into cells.
Infertility
A study on infertility due to immature
follicle maturation syndrome demonstrated good results with peat therapy
in comparison to the group receiving pharmacotherapy. In the peat
therapy group, the rate of pregnancy was very good, along with a
practically non –existent spontaneous abortion rate, while in the
pharmaceutical group the rate of spontaneous abortions was very high.
Peat improves the health of the corpus luteum, improving the chances of
pregnancy.
Menopause
Peat therapies rebalance hormonal
rhythms, decreasing emotional swings and irritability. It also
stimulates thyroid activities making it beneficial in the treatment of
menopausal symptoms.
PMS
Peat hyperthermia can also be
beneficial in treating menstrual and premenstrual conditions. The muscle
relaxant and circulation improving abilities and analgesic effects
reduce bloating and cramps. The hormone balancing capability reduces
emotional swings. Peat is a perfect way to ease menstrual disorders
and PMS.
Immune System
Colds and flues can be treated with Peat
Hyperthermia Therapy. White blood cells and their activity are
increased, and peat also has direct antiviral actions. Peat also helps
to alleviate muscle fatigue and aching associated with colds and flues
by its muscle relaxant and analgesic effects. Peat bath in combination
with hyperthermia shows white blood cell elevation. The
immune-stimulating effects of peat bath seen clinically correspond to
hematological changes after baths.
Cancer
Peat’s high heat renders cancer cells
unstable and unable to efficiently replicate. It removes the toxins
linked to cancer and increases immune support through its stimulating
effect on white blood cells and natural killer cells. It has also been
shown to enhance both chemo and radiation therapy.
Colds and Flu
Colds and flues can also be treated with
Peat Therapy. Peat has direct antiviral actions and a stimulating
effect on white blood cells. Peat also helps to alleviate muscle fatigue
and aching associated with colds and flues by its muscle relaxant and
analgesic effects.
Obesity (Weight Loss as a side effect)
The elevation of the body temperature
causes a significant rise in the body’s metabolic rate (up to 33% rise
in body metabolism). This, along with the direct heating effect the
therapy, helps to metabolize and mobilize the fatty tissue, releasing
their toxins, while burning energy and reducing cellulite at the same
time. Of clinical importance is that the peat helps transfer the heat to
deeper tissue; thus allowing this mobilization affect on the deep
fatty tissues of the body.
Stress
Peat therapies increase adaptation to stress and enhance wellbeing.
-Dr. Zayd Ratansi, ND
