Photobiomodulation, or Light Therapy, is a medical procedure where infrared or near-infrared light is used for neural stimulation, wound healing, and pain management and relief.
The process uses the power of LED lights to initiate biological responses that result in accelerated cell regeneration and tissue growth. This helps in managing pain, muscle soreness, and inflammation. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that a certain wavelength of light can speed up wound healing and decrease pain and inflammation.[1]
LED Light Therapy is a well-known method of pain management today. This article discusses the
mechanism of Light Therapy and what the literature says about the effectiveness of this procedure in managing pain.
How Does Light Therapy Work?
Red light can penetrate deep into the skin and initiate neural simulation. When the body part with pain is exposed to light, photoreceptive cells initiate metabolic events, which start a chain of several processes in the body on the cellular level. Infrared light stimulates the production of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) – the source of energy for cells.
Light energy also stimulates the production of nitric oxide, a substance that helps relax arteries, reduces oxidative stress, and assists and regulates blood pressure. Increased blood flood due to nitric oxide allows oxygen and nutrients to reach and heal the cells, resulting in lesser pain or soreness.
What Pains Can be Treated with Light Therapy?
As Light Therapy provides a targeted method of pain relief, it is proven to treat many types of pain, whether acute or chronic. It can be used on almost any part of the body to treat various types of pain.
Chronic Or Acute Pain
Acute pain can lead to chronic pain and develop a series of health issues, including a general feeling of unwellness, sleeping problems, fatigue, high blood pressure, and fatigue. 20.3% of Americans are estimated to live with chronic pain.[2]
This means that 1 out of 5 adults experiences pain. Light Therapy can be used to treat acute or chronic pain without any major side effects. It heals tissues and results in an increased range of motion and improved functionality in patients with chronic pain.
Arthritis Pain
Light Therapy has been known to relieve pain and stiffness associated with various types of arthritis. Several studies prove the efficacy of Laser Therapy in treating arthritis pain. One study reveals that it can relieve up to 70% of pain and disability in patients with arthritis, resulting in improved activity. [3]
Chronic Low Back Pain
Research has shown a significant decrease in chronic low back pain with the use of LED Light Therapy in a placebo-controlled trial. It also shows that the pain can decrease by 50% without any side effects or risks of thermal injury. [4]
Red Light Therapy is being used by medical practitioners and chiropractors to treat various kinds of pain, including:
- Post-operative pain
- Joint and neck pain
- Muscle soreness and pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sprain, strain, and tendinitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
How is Light Therapy Used?
Light Therapy is used via pads that emit infrared light. These tools are portable and fairly easy to use. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes for different body parts. You can get specialized pads for feet, legs, and calves or go for straight pads for other areas of the body such as the neck, shoulder, back, and thighs.
Is Light Therapy Effective?
Research shows that Light Therapy kickstarts neural stimulation and can help with pain management, healing, and neural regeneration. Several studies argue that photobiomodulation must become a crucial part of mainstream medicine due to its clinical applications in cellular mechanisms.[5] LED Light Therapy is a better alternative to pain management than medication, as medicines carry side effects, and the body might become immune to them over some time.
Are There Any Risks?
The use of Light Therapy for pain management and control was cleared by the FDA in 2002. There are no serious side effects to Light Therapy. Light Therapy is a much safer way to treat pain with little to no side effects.
Conclusion
Light Therapy is proven to stimulate healing, increase tissue regeneration, and reduce pain and inflammation. Studies have shown that this method of pain management is highly effective and free of any side effects and risks.
Need a Light Therapy tool? Check out our collection of LED pads here and reap the benefits of risk-free pain management.
Citations
[1] Tsai, S. R., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology, 170, 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.04.014
[2] Searing, L. (2018, October 19). The Big Number: 50 million adults experience chronic pain. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-big-number-50-million-adults-experience-chronic-pain/2018/10/19/30831828-d2e0-11e8-83d6-291fcead2ab1_story.html
[3] Brosseau L, Welch V, Wells G, Tugwell P, de Bie R, Gam A, Harman K, Shea B, Morin M. Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a metaanalysis. J Rheumatol. 2000 Aug;27(8):1961-9. PMID: 10955339.
[4] Gale, G. D., Rothbart, P. J., & Li, Y. (2006). Infrared therapy for chronic low back
pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Pain research & management, 11(3), 193–196. https://doi.org/10.1155/2006/876920
[5] Karu T. (2013). Is it time to consider photobiomodulation as a drug equivalent?. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 31(5), 189–191. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3510
