Summary
Red light therapy for chronic pain is increasingly explored as part of a supportive wellness routine. Using therapeutic wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, red light therapy pads help to stimulate cellular energy production and support healthy circulation in the body. Many people use red light therapy devices to promote muscle comfort, and pain relief making it a convenient, non-invasive option for those looking to support their daily wellness.
Medically reviewed by Karen Wolters, RN
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can impact anyone at any point throughout their life. It’s defined as pain that persists after healing is expected to have occurred (more than three months) or pain which is present with no tissue damage.
The condition is surprisingly common, with a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that chronic pain affects approximately 50 million U.S. adults.
However, being a common condition doesn’t make chronic pain any less frustrating to deal with. There is no “cure” in the conventional biomedical sense, so correct management is vital. This is where red light therapy comes in.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) uses therapeutic wavelengths such as 660 nm (red) and 850 nm (near-infrared) to stimulate the mitochondria in the body’s cells to produce more ATP.
As a result, red light therapy can help to ease discomfort in the joints and muscles, making it an ideal tool to manage chronic pain.
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How red light therapy works for chronic pain
Currently, pharmaceutical drugs are the most common form of treatment for chronic pain. Often, these drugs are opioids, which can result in unpleasant side effects, such as constipation, excessive sedation, delirium, falls and fractures, particularly in older patients.
Antidepressants are also prescribed for managing chronic pain, with each drug having its own set of side effects.
Red light therapy offers an alternative to these medications which is non-addictive and risk-free. By lowering levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines, red light therapy has the potential to alleviate chronic pain caused by ongoing inflammation. The therapy can also increase local circulation, supporting the removal of pain-producing metabolites and delivering oxygen to tissues to help with healing.
What the research says about red light therapy and pain
There are many types of chronic pain, so patients may have to try multiple forms of pain management before they find one that works for them. Regarding red light therapy, there is evidence that it can decrease the pain intensity of musculoskeletal conditions such as non-specific knee pain or back pain, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
A 2024 systematic review of 10 studies in knee arthritis concluded that photobiomodulation can significantly reduce knee pain at rest, with patients who received red light therapy reporting lower pain scores.
Studies in fibromyalgia patients have also noted decreases in tender point pain after a course of phototherapy.
Benefits of using red light therapy for chronic pain
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that can be used long term without risk of addiction or overdose.
It can be used in your own home, with the comforting warmth of the light making it a relaxing experience, as well as a potentially effective way to reduce pain.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, red light therapy has also been found to regenerate nerve cells and tissues. According to a 2019 study, “photobiomodulation therapy plays an important role in neural regeneration and function enhancement, such as expression of nerve growth factor and nerve regeneration”.
As such, over time, red light therapy has the potential to restore function and improve quality of life for those with chronic pain.
Using red light therapy pads for pain relief
Red light therapy pads offer a versatile and simple way to explore photobiomodulation for clinics and individuals alike.
HealthLight’s pads are high quality medical-grade devices, meaning they deliver the optimal amount of joules into the body, supporting your own natural healing processes. There are a host of pads to choose from, each designed to fit different parts of the body, ensuring you gain the most benefit possible from your device.
It’s important to remember that red light therapy is not an instant cure for chronic pain. Devices must be used as directed, and consistency is key. Effectiveness can also vary from individual to individual.
However, if you’re looking for a risk-free way to alleviate chronic pain, red light therapy is certainly an option worth exploring.
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Contact us now and speak with a light therapy expert. They are here to help you find relief at home with soothing red light therapy.
