Does red light therapy reduce inflammation?

Red light therapy inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to a range of health problems. Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that has been gaining popularity for its potential to reduce inflammation. But does red light therapy really work? Let’s explore the evidence behind this intriguing treatment.

Overview of Inflammation

What is inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, and it plays a critical role in protecting the body and promoting healing. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to a wide range of health problems, including pain, swelling, and reduced function. There are two main types of inflammation: Acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is a short-term response that occurs when the body detects injury or infection. It’s characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and it’s a necessary response that helps to protect the body and promote healing.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a long-term response that can persist for months or even years. It’s often characterized by low-grade inflammation that’s not immediately noticeable, and it can lead to a wide range of health problems.
Causes of inflammation:
There are many different causes of inflammation, including a diet that’s high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats, lack of exercise, exposure to environmental toxins, such as pollution and chemicals, which can cause chronic inflammation.
The effects of chronic inflammation:
Increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of cancer, joint pain and stiffness, digestive problems, reduced immune functionm, and other health problems.

Red light therapy for Inflammation

Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to promote healing and reduce inflammation. It works by stimulating the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in cells, which is the energy source that cells need to function properly. Helps to boost cell metabolism and improve circulation, this increased circulation helps to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Red light therapy has also been shown to increase the production of collagen, a protein that helps to repair damaged tissue.[1]

Red light therapy for Inflammation

Research on Red light therapy for Inflammation

There has been a growing body of research on the use of red light therapy for inflammation, with promising results. Here are some key studies that highlight the effectiveness of red light therapy for inflammation:

Osteoarthritis: According to Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, red light therapy is an alternative with no known side effects and has been reported to have significant therapeutic benefits for osteoarthritis.[2]

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 2005 study by Lucie Brosseau et al. found that red light therapy can improve symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 222 patients were included in the trial, 130 of whom were randomized to receive laser treatment. Red light therapy reduced rheumatoid arthritis pain by 70% compared to a control group.[3]

Postoperative inflammation: A 2018 study published in Medical Science Lasers found that red light therapy was effective in reducing pain intensity and postoperative inflammation.”[4]

Psoriasis: A 2012 study found that red light therapy can improve symptoms of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. The study involved 20 psoriasis patients who were treated 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The researchers found that red light therapy reduced the severity of psoriatic lesions, improved skin texture, and reduced markers of inflammation in the blood.[5]

Research on Red light therapy for Inflammation

Why Choose Red light therapy for Inflammation?

Compared to other treatments for inflammation, such as acupuncture, massage, surgery, getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, medications. red light therapy has several unique benefits:

Red light therapy is non-invasive, meaning that it does not require any incisions or injections. This makes it a safer and less painful option for individuals with inflammation.

Red light therapy has no known side effects, making it a safe option for individuals who are unable to tolerate other treatments due to side effects.

Red light therapy is relatively inexpensive compared to other treatments for inflammation, making it a more accessible option for individuals who may not have access to more expensive treatments.

Red light therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even skin conditions like acne and psoriasis.

Overall, if you’re looking for a natural way to reduce inflammation, red light therapy may be a good option for you. Remember to choose the right red light therapy device before this to ensure your treatment is effective.