Reduce aches and alleviates pains
In today’s blog we are going to talk about the relationship between Red Light Therapy and aches and pains.
- Types of pain
- Red Light Therapy for Aches and Pains
- Successful studies and applications
- Conclusion
Types of pain
Before getting into how RLT can help with pain, it’s worth making a distinction between the different types of pain that exist.
First we will introduce Acute pain, followed by Chronic pain and lastly, Neuropathic pain.
| TYPE | DURATION/CAUSE | EXAMPLES | CHARACTERISTICS |
| Acute pain | Short term and has a specific cause. | Burns, a broken bone, bruises, sprained ankle and a scratch on the knee are some examples. | Although the pain can be intense, it gradually decreases intensity and eventually goes away. |
| Chronic pain | Longer than 6 months, it can have a known or unknown cause. | Arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage, lower back pain and tendonitis are some examples. | It tends to generate muscle tension, limits range of motion and can affect the mood and overall energy levels. |
| Neuropathic pain | In most cases it lasts indefinitely and it is usually the result of severe damage or malfunction of the nervous system. | Carpal tunnel syndrome, shingles, MS, Parkinson’s, spinal compression and HIV, are some examples. | They usually generate feelings of numbness, tingling, stabbing, a burning/freezing sensation or even what seems like an electric shock. |
All the types of pains mentioned above can be treated with RLT. In some cases RLT will make those pains disappear, and in others it will help manage and reduce the frequency.
Something really important to bear in mind is that the device you use to treat your pain needs to have near infrared light to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin. If you still don’t know the difference between red and near infrared light, check out What is red light therapy?
Red Light Therapy for aches and pains
Red light therapy, unlike most types of medications which only block the perception of pain in our brains, works inside the cells promoting cellular energy, reducing inflammation, increasing collagen production and blood flow and promoting overall recovery of the damaged cells.
There are usually two phases described by patients while using the lights.
- 1st Phase:
The gentle warmth emitted by our devices causes an immediate sensation of relief. The warmth of the light that you feel on your skin also calms the mind, and relaxes the muscles which send a message to your brain that you are safe and the perception of pain automatically decreases.
- 2nd Phase:
Long term benefits that occur deeper in the cells, happen with time and consistency. People dealing with acute pain might experience quick improvement, and people dealing with chronic and neuropathic pain might experience a significant decrease in the frequency of pain and regain significant quality of life.
Successful studies and applications
The following studies show that RLT can help with pain:
Back Pain:
- The Journal, Pain Research and Management in Canada, published a study on infrared light therapy for chronic lower back pain that followed 40 patients over a period of 6 years. They all reported a significant reduction in pain and no adverse effects. (1)
- A study published in the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation studied the impact of Infrared light therapy on spondylitis, a type of inflammatory arthritis of the spine. The patients significantly improved activity, function and quality of life. (2)
Wound Pain:
- The Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology published an article that looked at the ability of infrared light to stimulate nerves and support wound healing. The study concluded: “Nerve cells respond particularly well to infrared radiation”. (3)
Rheumatoid Arthritis pain:
- A group of researchers in Taiwan, found that red light therapy reduced joint pain by 70% in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers compared to the placebo group. In addition, they also saw reduction in morning stiffness and increased flexibility. (4)
Osteoarthritis pain:
- One study conducted with a group of 50 elderly patients that followed a 10 day treatment, found that red and near infrared light therapy reduced osteoarthritis knee pain by 50%. (5)
Injury pain:
- In 2016 a study by the Journal Laser Therapy showed a significant acceleration of return-to-play after six sessions of near infrared light on the injury. Moreover, researchers found that near infrared light increased blood flow, relaxed muscle spasms, reduced inflammation and intensity of pain.
Conclusion
To conclude, Red light therapy is a natural, no touch and safe remedy that has no side effects compared to prescription medications.
A pleasant experience that will stimulate and heal your body from the inside out.
Don’t delay the decision, give yourself a chance to regain your active and pain free life now!
Are you convinced yet? Then check out our premium devices and introduce red light therapy to your life!