If you’re suffering from painful tendonitis that just won’t go away, you’re not alone. Tendon injuries are extremely common – in fact, over 30 million Americans experience tendonitis each year. The repetitive motion and overuse can lead to persistent inflammation, swelling, and tenderness in your joints. The good news is that red light therapy is emerging as a safe, effective treatment option for stubborn tendonitis. But does red light therapy actually work for tendonitis? Keep reading to learn how red light therapy can treat tendonitis.
What is Tendonitis?
Tendons are thick cords made up of collagen that connect muscles to bones. When tendons become overused and fatigued, they can develop small tears and become inflamed. This condition is known as tendonitis or tendinopathy. Tendonitis can occur in any tendon in the body, but it’s most common in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. This inflammation makes tendons painful to move and reduces their flexibility and strength. Severe cases can become chronic and debilitating over time.
Common Types of Tendonitis:
- Rotator cuff tendonitis (shoulder)
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Achilles tendonitis (heel)
- Patellar tendonitis or Jumper’s knee (kneecap)
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (wrist/thumb
Causes of Tendonitis
Tendonitis is often caused by repetitive movements that irritate the tendon over time. Sports like tennis, golf, running, and jumping put a lot of stress on tendons and make them more prone to injury and inflammation. Even everyday activities like typing or cooking can trigger tendonitis if done repeatedly.
Other causes of tendonitis include:
- Age-related wear and tear
- Sudden injury from a fall or accident
- Poor flexibility or muscle weakness
- Improper form during exercise or sports
- Anatomical problems like flat feet or bunions
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms of Tendonitis
The most common symptom of tendonitis is localized pain and tenderness where the tendon attaches to the bone. This pain usually worsens with movement or touching the affected area. Other tendonitis symptoms include:
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the joint
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Weakness or discomfort when using the affected limb
- A crunchy feeling or sound when moving the tendon
- Pain that persists even after rest
The symptoms of tendonitis may come on suddenly after an injury or develop gradually over time from overuse. Tendonitis pain usually decreases with rest but returns when you resume activity. Without proper treatment, the pain can become chronic.
Conventional treatments like NSAID medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy provide temporary relief. But they don’t always resolve the underlying tendon damage. A faster, more effective solution is needed. This is where red light therapy shows exciting potential for treating tendonitis and related joint injuries.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that exposes the body to low levels of red and near-infrared light. These wavelengths of light penetrate deeply into tissues and stimulate healing at the cellular level. The light triggers a biological response in the cells, improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and accelerating cell renewal and tissue repair.
How Red Light Therapy Can Relieve Tendonitis
Red light therapy appears to be effective at relieving the pain, inflammation, and impaired function caused by tendonitis. Here are the ways it helps:
Reduces Inflammation
The red and near-infrared light emitted during therapy reduces inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This helps calm the inflammation in the tendon that causes pain and swelling.
Increases Blood Flow
Red light boosts the formation of new capillaries and improves blood flow around damaged tissue. Better circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients to aid healing.
Relieves Pain
By reducing inflammation and increasing blood flow, red light is able to directly relieve tendonitis pain. Light exposure also stimulates the release of natural pain-relieving compounds like endorphins.
Promotes Collagen Production
Collagen gives tendons their structure and strength. Red light increases collagen production and realigns existing collagen fibers to repair damage.
Accelerates Healing
The light signals cells to hasten their healing activities. ATP production ramps up to provide energy for faster tissue regeneration and repair.
These anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerating effects provide comprehensive healing support for your tendons. Treatments aim to resolve chronic damage, not just mask symptoms.
Does Red Light Therapy Really Help With Tendonitis?
Yes, multiple clinical trials show red light treatments significantly improve common tendonitis symptoms. For instance, a 2005 randomized, double-blind study found that red light therapy was most effective for acute tendonitis[1]. A 2006 study published in Br J Sports Med found that seven patients with bilateral Achilles tendonitis (14 tendons) experienced significant improvements in inflammation and pain after treatment with 904nm red light. The study concluded that red light therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect on human Achilles tendon activated tendonitis[2].
Now, we’re not saying red light therapy is the miracle cure-all that will banish tendonitis to the depths of oblivion. But it’s an exciting option that could potentially help manage the symptoms and promote healing.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Tendonitis
To experience the optimal tendon-healing benefits from red light therapy:
Obtain a Quality Device
Invest in a registered FDA-cleared device from a reputable manufacturer. Avoid cheap generic products that lack safety testing or clinical data. For tendons, look for red wavelengths of 630-660nm and near-infrared wavelengths of 810-950nm. Both are effective.
Follow Proper Treatment Guidelines
Most tendonitis studies use 12-16 joules of red light energy per treatment. Divide sessions across affected areas. Treat for 10-20 minutes per tender location at least a few times per week. Consistency is key.
Target Light Over Painful Areas
Direct the light over swollen, inflamed tendons and surrounding joint tissues. But avoid pressing devices firmly into tender spots.
Give It Time to Work
It takes at least 4-6 weeks of consistent red light therapy to resolve chronic tendonitis. Be patient and stick with it!
Combine with Other Therapies
Continue using proven treatments like stretching, massage, braces, ice/heat therapy and medication as needed.
Best Red Light Therapy Devices for Tendonitis Relief
If you’re considering red light therapy to find relief from painful tendonitis, RedDot LED is the obvious choice. Here’s why you should choose RedDot for proven, worry-free tendonitis treatment:
Rigorously Tested for Safety
RedDot devices is fully certified by the FDA after exhaustive testing, so you can trust it’s safe and well-made.
Clinically Proven Dual Wavelengths
RedDot devices emits both 660nm red and 850nm near-infrared light, the precise wavelengths clinically proven to reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, and relieve tendonitis pain. The combined wavelengths ensure you get complete treatment.
Easy In-Home Use
With adjustable auto timer settings, RedDot devices makes tendonitis treatment simple at home. Just place over the tendon, power on, and let the healing light penetrate. No complicated programs or prescriptions necessary.
Trusted Brand
With over 10 years experience making red light therapy devices, RedDot LED is a trusted brand used in thousands of homes. Their expertise ensures RedDot is highly engineered for optimal healing results.
Don’t settle for inferior devices or gimmicky tendonitis treatments. Choose the safe, proven relief of RedDot LED. FDA-certified and expertly designed to treat tendonitis quickly and effectively. Experience the RedDot LED difference! Order now to get long-lasting tendonitis relief.
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Q&A
How Long Does it Take Red Light Therapy to Work for Tendonitis?
Most people see improvements in their tendonitis symptoms after a few weeks of regular red light therapy sessions. However, it’s important to understand that NO single treatment can “cure” tendonitis overnight. In the case of red light therapy for tendonitis, patience is key, be patient and stick with it to experience the most relief.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Red light therapy is widely considered safe and well-tolerated, with minimal risks.
Published by reddotled.com (Repost Tips)