Infrared Light Therapy for Feet: Which Pads Work Best? 

Medically reviewed by Karen Wolters, RN and Joanna Fearnley, LPN

From the tips of the toes to the metatarsals, the Achilles tendon, and the ankle, everyone has experienced foot pain at some point in their life. Luckily infrared light therapy for feet can help ease pain.

Foot injuries can include sprains, strains, or even chronic diseases like arthritis and diabetes. But regardless of the cause, is there anything available today that can help relieve both pain and poor sensation in the foot?

Yes — Infrared Light Therapy for Feet!

Infrared Light Therapy Is Perfect for Feet

Infrared light therapy for feet “is a fast-growing technology used to treat a multitude of conditions that require stimulation of healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function.”^[1]  For those suffering from foot problems, pain relief, healing, and the restoration of mobility are all critically important.  Studies prove infrared light therapy for feet is an incredibly effective way to relieve your body from pain.

Shop Red Light Therapy Devices

Infrared light therapy systems are considered to be Class II Medical Devices, and have been granted FDA clearance for increasing circulation, relieving pain, relaxing muscles, relieving muscle spasms, and relieving the aches and stiffness caused by arthritis. Infrared light therapy for feet is an incredible important part of recovery, why?

Circulation is Key

Scientific studies confirm that Infrared Light Therapy foot pads “…are beneficial for relieving foot pain and can accelerate the body’s ability to heal itself.”[2]  And the key to reducing foot pain and accelerating healing is increasing circulation, a process where LED Light Therapy excels. By increasing circulation, infrared light therapy for feet relieves pain plus provides the support that the body needs to repair itself, particularly nerves and tissues —allowing more flow of blood rich in nutrients and oxygen to eventually restore sensation in the foot, leading to better balance and mobility!

The Benefits of Red Light Therapy For Feet

Infrared light therapy for feet is a non-invasive method to treat pain, and uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce light waves in the visible and infrared spectrum that painlessly penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the body. Infrared (IR) light waves have a beneficial effect on nerves.  Science has discovered that, “Nerve cells respond particularly well to IR….”[3] and that IR “…can induce neural stimulation effects as well as promoting a wide range of therapeutic benefits in cells or tissues.”[4]  This is exactly what those who suffer from poor sensation in the foot are searching for!

Try Infrared Light Therapy for Feet

Regular & frequent LED Light Therapy sessions may help painful chronic foot conditions to be manageable without surgery. Many manufacturers of LED Light Therapy systems such as HealthLight make light therapy pads that are specifically designed for treating the foot.  HealthLight, a leading American manufacturer of medical-grade FDA-cleared LED Light Therapy devices, makes 4 light therapy pads that are perfect for treating feet:

The Best Red Light Therapy For Feet

HealthLight’s Foot & Calf 131 Diode Pad:

This is one of the easiest ways to administer red light therapy for feet. Attached Velcro straps wrap over the top of the foot and around the calf securely hold the pad in place, treating the sole and the back of the calf simultaneously. It features 131 LEDs: 83 infrared (850 nm) and 48 red (630 nm). The top section measures 7”x 9” while the middle to bottom section is 4.5”x 15.5”.  This pad can be used in two ways:

1. Extended up the back of the calf to cover the calf and the bottom of the foot.
2. Reversed 180 degrees and folded in half to treat both the top and bottom of the foot.

The Foot & Calf 131 Infrared Light Pad can be purchased in a double pad package, allowing you to save time by treating both feet simultaneously.

HealthLight’s Foot & Ankle 122 Diode Pad:

This uniquely-shaped 3-section pad features 122 LEDs: 70 infrared (850 nm) and 52 red (630 nm). The top section measures 8” wide x 5” long, the middle measures 12” long x 4” wide, and the bottom measures 7” long x 6” wide.  This pad can be used in two ways — extended or folded over:

1. When extended, it covers the bottom of the foot from the toes to the back of the heel, continuing up the calf.
2. When folded over, it covers the toes and foot like a boot, covering the top of the foot, the sole, the heel, and both ankles.

The Foot & Ankle 122 Infrared Light Pad can be purchased in a double pad package, allowing you to save time by treating both feet simultaneously.

HealthLight’s Long 180 Diode Pad:

This pad features 180 LEDs: 80 red (630 nm) and 100 infrared (850 nm).  At 16”x 5”, this highly flexible long and narrow pad can be used in three ways:

1. Over the top of the foot and under the sole;
2. Under the sole, up the heel, and into the calf;
3. Place horizontally and put both feet on top to treat the toes or heels.

The Long 180 infrared light pad is also available with blue, red, and infrared LEDs for the same price.

HealthLight’s Small 90 Diode Pad:

The size and rectangular shape of the small 90 infrared light pad make it perfect for foot treatment. Just place the foot on top, or put the pad over the toes, or strap across the ankle with Velcro.  At 9.8” x 4.5”, this pad should cover the toes, sole, heel, or ankle area.  It features 90 LEDs: 50 infrared (950 nm) and 40 red (630 nm).

Give Foot Pain “the Boot!”

Foot pain and poor foot sensation do not have to limit mobility and reduce the quality of daily life.  Infrared light therapy for feet is the perfect soothing solution for all types of foot problems. Purchasing a pad from HealthLight will help you and/or your patients experience fast-acting, dependable pain relief.  HealthLight makes the most durable and most powerful clinical strength red light therapy pads available! Try red light therapy for feet. For more information on how red light therapy works, get in touch with out experts.

[1] Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, Vecchio D, Pam Z, Pam N, Hamblin MR. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar;32(1):41-52. PMID: 24049929; PMCID: PMC4126803, p. 1.

[2] Cotler, Howard B. et al.  The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol. 2015  ;  2(5): . doi:10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068, p. 7.

[3] Tsai SR, Hamblin MR. Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2017 May;170:197-207. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.04.014. Epub 2017 Apr 13. PMID: 28441605; PMCID: PMC5505738, p. 1.

[4] Ibd., p. 15.