Is Red Light Therapy Right For Me?

Red light therapy, also known as low-level light therapy or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific red light wavelengths to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. It has gained popularity in recent years for a variety of health benefits, ranging from pain reduction to improved skin health. Let’s review the main medical benefits of red light therapy in detail. 

 

Pain Relief

Red light therapy has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in a variety of conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain. It works by increasing blood circulation and reducing inflammation, which can help relieve pain and stiffness. Red light therapy has also been found to reduce pain in chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and neuropathy.

 

Wound Healing

Red light therapy has been used to accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring. It works by increasing blood flow and stimulating the production of collagen, which is essential for skin regeneration. Red light therapy has been used to treat a variety of wounds, including burns, surgical incisions, and pressure ulcers.

 

Skin Health

Red light therapy has been shown to improve the appearance of the skin in a number of ways. It can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin elasticity and firmness. Red light therapy is also used to treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema.

 

Muscle Recovery

Red light therapy has been used to improve muscle recovery after exercise or injury. It works by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, which can help reduce muscle soreness and speed up the healing process. Red light therapy has been used by athletes to improve performance and reduce recovery time after intense training.

 

Mood and Energy

Red light therapy has been shown to improve mood and energy levels. It does this by stimulating the production of ATP, which is the primary energy source for our cells. Red light therapy has also been used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mood disorders.

 

Our red light in the Healing Room at Upstream Functional Medicine has 2 settings that can be used individually, or in combination. By default, we use both settings simultaneously for most red light sessions to maximize the benefits: 

 

• 660 nm: This is the wavelength that makes the whole room glow with red, and benefits skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. 
• 850 nm: This is an invisible Near Infrared light that penetrates about 1 inch into the body, reaching deeper tissues like muscle, connective tissue, bone, and activating cellular respiration in the mitochondria.

 

In conclusion, red light therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment that offers a variety of medical benefits. It can reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate wound healing, improve skin health, aid in muscle recovery, and boost mood and energy levels. Have you tried red light therapy? What has your experience been? 

 

Julia Buchkina, MD, MPH, ABIHM, IFMCP

Upstream Functional Medicine

Call Us Here: 319-471-4727

Schedule a Red Light Session Online: https://upstreamfm.com/healing-room