What is Red light Therapy?
Red light therapy, also referred to as low-level light therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), is a therapeutic method employing specific red light wavelengths to foster healing, diminish inflammation, and offer diverse health advantages. This approach entails exposing either the entire body or specific regions of it to red or near-infrared light.
How does it work?
Typically, red light therapy utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or low-power lasers to administer the red or near-infrared light. The wavelengths employed in red light therapy span from approximately 630 to 850 nanometers, with red light typically falling within the 630 to 700 nanometer range and near-infrared light within the 700 to 850 nanometer range.
Red light is believed to induce a biochemical response within cells that enhances the resilience of mitochondria. Mitochondria serve as the powerhouse of cells, generating the cellular energy known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Through the augmentation of mitochondrial function facilitated by red light therapy (RLT), cells can produce more ATP. This surplus of energy enables cells to operate more effectively, undergo rejuvenation, and facilitate repair processes to address damage.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
LED light therapy have clear benefits for wound care, burns and skin conditions, and the treatment of muscle damage and inflammation.
Conditions we can use it on?
- Arthritis
- Muscle tears
- Cartilage Regeneration
- Meniscal repairs
- Spinal pain
- Wrist pain
Contraindications?
- Epilepsy
- Retina diseases due to diabetes
- Use of photosensitizing drugs: melatonin, lithium, phenothiazine
- Migraines due to light
Evidence Based Practice supporting RLT?
- Kim, W.-S., & Calderhead, R. G. (2011). Is light-emitting diode phototherapy (LED-LLLT) really effective? Laser Therapy, 20(3), 205–215. https://doi.org/10.5978/islsm.20.205
Why choose Red Light Therapy?
- 1. No Safety Concerns with LED Therapy Pads
- 2. No Training Needed to Operate an LED Device
- LED Therapy Pads Have Much Larger Area Coverage
