Red Light Therapy (RLT) is becoming increasingly popular because it does not involve surgery and is used to reduce pain, joint swelling, and muscle problems. Many people want to know if this therapy really helps with long-term pain. As interest in red light therapy for pain relief grows, people want real facts about how it helps with pain.  So, does red light treatment really help with pain? Let’s talk about the facts, evidence, and how well this treatment works.

At Medicentre Bolton, our goal is to provide you with accurate and complete health information so you can choose the best way to manage your pain. Read on to learn more about red light treatment and whether it can help with your pain.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Photobiomodulation (PBM), also called red light therapy, uses red and deep light to pass through the skin and help cells heal. By boosting mitochondria in cells, this treatment raises the production of ATP, which makes cells work better and speeds up the healing process.
RLT can be used to treat a wide range of diseases because it can relieve pain, reduce swelling, and improve skin health, which is why red light therapy for pain relief is becoming increasingly popular.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work for Pain Relief?

The way red light therapy works is that light energy gets into the tissues and reacts with the mitochondria of cells. This process increases the production of ATP, which helps the body heal faster and feel less pain. To reduce pain, this is how it works:

  • Reduces swelling: RLT helps reduce swelling by improving blood flow and increasing the production of nitric oxide. Swelling is often the cause of pain in conditions like joint problems and muscle strains.
  • Helps Cellular Repair: RLT speeds up tissue repair by making the body make more collagen. Collagen is needed to fix damaged tissues; this treatment helps prevent scars and make joints more flexible.
  • Reduces Pain Signals: Red Light Therapy can change the pathways in the nervous system that send pain signals, which can help with long-term pain like back pain or joint pain.

Now that you know this, let’s look at how RLT is used in different types of pain.

Conditions Treated by Red Light Therapy

Different kinds of pain can benefit from red light therapy, such as:

  1. Pain from osteoarthritis
    Red light therapy is a good way to treat osteoarthritis because it makes joints less tight and swollen. Several studies have shown that RLT can help people with this condition feel less pain and move their joints better.
  2. Pain in the muscles or bones
    RLT is often used to reduce the pain of sports injuries and long-term conditions like fibromyalgia. It can help with back pain caused by bad posture, as well as muscle recovery after hard exercise. It speeds up muscle repair, which makes muscles hurt less and helps them heal faster.
  3. Tendonitis and Pain in the Tendons
    Tendon injuries usually take a long time to heal. Red light treatment helps the tendons heal by increasing blood flow and cell growth in the affected areas.
  4. Pain in the sciatica and nerves: Finding the right way to treat nerve pain can be hard, but RLT may help with sciatica and other nerve pains by lowering inflammation and speeding up nerve repair.

At-Home vs Professional Red Light Therapy Treatments

Professional treatments are often more effective, but many people choose to use gadgets at home to help them deal with pain over time. Here is a list of both:

Professional Red Light Therapy Treatments

  • Stronger light: Professional-grade devices give off stronger light, which lets it reach deeper into tissue.
  • Faster results: Medical treatments for long-term pain usually work better and relieve pain faster.
  • Duration of treatment: Meetings with a professional last 10 to 20 minutes.

At-Home Red Light Therapy Devices

  • Convenient and inexpensive: At-home devices aren’t as strong, but they can be used regularly and are a low-cost way to control pain.
  • Less powerful: Most gadgets you use at home are not as strong, so results may take longer to show up.
    For long-term pain relief, gadgets you can use at home can help with professional treatments. But for severe pain, meetings with a professional are often suggested.

Safety, Side Effects, and Precautions

While red light therapy is usually safe, there are some things you should keep in mind before you start:

Common Side Effects:

  • Skin irritation: After using RLT, some people may notice their skin getting a little red or sensitive.
  • Eye protection: If you’re going to use red light therapy near your face, you should cover your eyes because direct contact could hurt them.

Precautions:

  • Active cancer: People who have active cancer should not do red light therapy without medical care.
  • Pregnancy and photosensitivity: Talk to your doctor before starting RLT if you are pregnant or have a photosensitivity problem.

Practical Tips for Using Red Light Therapy for Pain Relief

Here are some tips to help you use red light therapy effectively if you are new to it.

  • Pick the right tool: For pain relief, choose a near-infrared light tool because it can reach deeper muscles.
  • Duration of treatment: Usually, each session should last between 10 and 20 minutes.
  • Frequency: For best pain relief, use RLT three to four times a week. For long-term success with long-lasting problems, you must use it regularly.
  • Do not use too much: The treatment is safe, but using it too much may cause skin sensitivity. Always use it according to the instructions.

Comparison to Other Pain Relief Therapies

Red Light Therapy can help with a lot of different kinds of pain, but it’s important to look at it next to some other popular ways to treat pain:

  • Heat and cold therapy: Both of these are short-term ways to treat pain. But RLT gets to the root of the problem by lowering inflammation and speeding up the healing process.
  • Massage and physical therapy: These treatments help right away, but they don’t help tissues heal over time as RLT does.
  • Pain treatment drugs (NSAIDs, opioids): NSAIDs can help temporarily, but RLT is a drug-free option with few side effects.

Should You Try Red Light Therapy for Pain Relief?

So, does red light treatment help with pain? Because there is solid proof and real-world benefits, the answer is yes. It doesn’t matter if you have constant pain, arthritis, or muscle pain; red light therapy could help you manage and reduce your pain.

When used with other complementary treatments, RLT can be very helpful for managing pain over a long period of time. If you want to give it a try, you can start with a device you can use at home for regular use, or go to a professional center for a stronger treatment.
At Medicentre Bolton, we give you more information on different ways to deal with pain and help you choose the best treatment for you. If you want to know more, feel free to get in touch with us. Book Your Treatment Now!

FAQs

How long does it take for red light treatment to help with pain?

Results are different for everyone, but after 3–5 sessions, many people start to feel better. People with long-term pain may need to continue for a few weeks.

Can red light treatment be used instead of painkillers?

RLT can help with pain a lot, but it shouldn’t be used instead of medicine. It should be seen as an extra treatment. Before making any changes to your pain management plan, you should always talk to your doctor.

If I use red light therapy for a long time, is it safe?

Yes, red light treatment is usually safe to use for a long time as long as you follow the directions. But you should talk to a doctor if you already have a health problem.

How long should each use of red light therapy last?

Red Light Therapy sessions last anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, based on how strong the device is and what part of the body is being treated. For minor pain relief, shorter sessions may work, but longer treatments are better for long-term conditions. To get the best results, always follow the instructions.

Do any bad things happen when you use red light therapy?

Red Light Therapy is usually safe, but some people may have light skin irritation or redness that goes away after using it. These side effects do not usually last and usually go away in a few hours. Make sure you follow the directions for the therapy and wear eye protection when using it near your face to keep your eyes from getting hurt.