Does Exposure to Red Light Therapy Reduce Pain?

Pain is a warning sign from the body and an unavoidable problem in our lives. Whether it’s a sports injury, arthritis, neuralgia, a headache, or a toothache, pain is a constant presence that fills our lives with confusion. However, there is now a natural remedy that can help you reduce your pain and that is red light therapy.

But does exposure to red light therapy reduce pain? Let’s review the evidence.

What Causes Pain:

Pain occurs when nerves called nociceptors detect potentially harmful stimuli and send signals to the brain. Nociceptors can be activated by intense mechanical forces, extreme temperatures, or chemical substances released when body tissues are damaged. Once activated, nociceptors transmit pain signals along nerve fibers to the spinal cord and up to the brain.

Pain can be classified as nociceptive, neuropathic, or dysfunctional. Nociceptive pain occurs when nociceptors are activated by tissue injury and inflammation. This type of pain helps alert us to physical harm. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to or malfunction of the nervous system itself. Dysfunctional pain arises from aberrant pain signaling in the absence of tissue damage or nervous system injury. This unexplained chronic pain may be maintained by central sensitization in the spinal cord and brain.

How Does Red Light Therapy Relieve Pain From The Root？

Unlike medications that simply mask pain signals, red light therapy seems to resolve pain at its roots – reducing inflammation, healing tissues, and restoring normal nerve function.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Red light exposure reduces inflammatory mediators like cytokines, neutrophils, and interleukins. By decreasing oxidative stress and nitric oxide production, red light can reduce swelling, immobility, and pain sensitivity related to tissue damage and inflammatory conditions.
Tissue Healing & Regeneration: Photobiomodulation improves circulation and stimulates ATP production and mitochondrial activity. This provides injured or degenerating tissues with the energy needed to heal and regenerate. Red light also increases growth factors and fibroblasts that remodel tissues.
Nerve Regeneration: By repairing traumatized nerves, red light therapy alleviates neuropathic pain and paraesthesia caused by nerve disorders. The results are especially positive for diabetic neuropathy.
Modulation of Nociceptive Signaling: Red light influences the TRPV ion channels that detect temperature and pain stimuli on sensory neurons. This reduces the excitability of nociceptive neurons, raising the pain threshold.

How Does Red Light Therapy Relieve Pain From The Root?

Which Pain Symptoms Can Be Treated With Red Light Therapy?

Arthritis pain: Red light therapy is widely used for pain relief in arthritis patients. By shining light on the affected area, red light can improve blood circulation and cell regeneration, reducing pain and swelling caused by joint inflammation.
Muscle pain: Red light therapy also has some effect on muscle pain. It can relieve muscle tension and spasms, and promote the repair and recovery of muscle tissue, thereby reducing the symptoms of muscle pain.
Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is pain caused by nerve damage or disease, and red light therapy can improve nerve conduction function and reduce the occurrence and intensity of neuropathic pain.
Chronic Pain Syndrome: Chronic pain syndrome is a long-term persistent pain symptom, and red light therapy can reduce the pain of patients with chronic pain syndrome by regulating the function of the nervous system and the immune system.

Red light therapy for pain relief can be certified

With robust anti-inflammatory effects, tissue regenerative properties, nerve regeneration capabilities, and modulated nociceptive signaling, red light therapy appears highly effective for certain pain conditions.

Overall, clinical research supports red light therapy as an effective treatment for many types of pain. Multiple meta-analyses aggregate results from dozens of randomized controlled trials. They report significant pain reduction and improved functionality from red light therapy protocols. The Photobiomodulation Therapy Alliance provides an ongoing summary of evidence.

Merit of Red Light Therapy for Pain Management

Beyond its efficacy for certain conditions, red light therapy has many appealing advantages:

Non-Invasive: It is applied externally and no surgery or injections are required.
Safe: Red light poses no major health risks and is well-tolerated.
Drug-Free: It provides analgesia without pharmaceuticals.
Non-Addictive: It does not lead to dependency or withdrawal.
Few Side Effects: Known side effects like headaches and eye strain are mild.
Convenient: Small portable devices allow for home treatment.
Fast Working: Pain relief can occur rapidly, within minutes to days.
Other Benefits: Anti-aging, anti-depression, enhanced healing, improved sleep, increased energy, and neuroprotection.
Affordable: Home units are relatively inexpensive compared to medications.

Some General Guidelines For Using Red Light Therapy At Home:

Wavelength: 600 to 1000 nanometers. Red range (600-700nm) penetrates tissue better while near-infrared (780-940nm) has anti-inflammatory effects. Using both spectrums provides optimal results.
Power Density (Intensity): Aim to deliver 40-180 mW/cm2 to the skin surface. Higher intensities within this range enable deeper tissue penetration.
Duration: Treatment times range from 30 seconds for trigger points up to 30 minutes for joint pain. Longer exposure times yield better results.
Frequency: Daily use produces the best outcomes, especially for chronic pain. Multiple sessions per day may increase benefits.

Some General Guidelines For Using Red Light Therapy At Home

Why Reddot Lights Are A Top-Rated Choice?

Powerful Infrared: Their near-infrared LEDs emit 880-940nm light preferred for deeper tissue penetration and superior anti-inflammatory benefits.
Flexible Panels: The flexible pads contour perfectly to all body parts including the back, knees, neck, face, hands, and feet.
Hands-Free Use: The fixed support allows for comfortable hands-free application. Just secure the panel and go about your activities.
Consistent Delivery: The LEDs emit a consistent power density of 60 mW/cm2 across the pad surface.
Quick Results: Most users report significant pain relief within 1-2 weeks of daily use.
1-Year Warranty: The panels are built to last with a 1-year replacement warranty.

With superior LEDs, versatile pads, and hassle-free returns, RedDot lights are an ideal choice for in-home photobiomodulation therapy. Experience their pain-relieving power yourself. Your aching back, stiff knees, sore neck, and throbbing headaches will thank you. Ditch the pain meds and give drug-free red light therapy a try today!

Conclusion

Red light therapy is a safe, effective treatment that can help you reduce pain and improve your quality of life. If you are looking for a natural, safe way to deal with pain in your body, then red light therapy may be the ideal choice for you.

Get started on your red light therapy journey now! Let us help you move towards a healthier, more comfortable life!