Treating Inflammation and Pain with Red Light Therapy
Natural red light therapy is showing immense potential to be just that: a natural inflammation treatment without the pharma risks of traditional NSAIDs.
The short version is this: light therapy delivers safe, concentrated wavelengths of natural light to your skin and cells. These red and near infrared wavelengths of light stimulate those cells and reduce oxidative stress, so your body is able to make more usable energy to power itself. This increases function, speeds healing, and lowers inflammation & pain, as demonstrated in numerous peer-reviewed studies. [8]
Natural light therapy & inflammation treatment: Red light therapy alleviates chronic inflammation by increasing blood flow to the damaged tissues, and it’s been found in numerous clinical trials to increase the body’s antioxidant defenses. [9]
Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the world’s leading photomedicine researchers, and we’re fortunate to have his expert input on Joovv’s Scientific Advisory Board. He’s studied light therapy at length and concluded that one of its most reproducible effects is “an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders and in the brain.” [9] Dr. Hamblin explains that wavelengths of natural red and near infrared light are “a very mild form of stress that activates protective mechanisms in the cells...for instance, when longer wavelengths or visibly red light hits the skin, it nudges mitochondria to make energy more efficiently and boost production of healing anti-inflammatories or disease-fighting antioxidants.” [9]
Clinical research from around the world has found light therapy to be an effective treatment for reducing inflammation in specific surgical contexts as well:
Post-surgery inflammation & pain relief: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Lasers in Medical Science in 2018 assessed the acute inflammation and pain of patients recovering from hip arthroplasty surgery. Researchers found that patients treated with natural light therapy saw a greater reduction in post-op pain and swelling, concluding that natural light therapy “is effective in decreasing pain intensity and post-surgery inflammation.” [10] Reduced oral inflammation: Another recent trial assessed light therapy’s ability to reduce inflammation in periodontal cells (in the mouth) in a highly inflammatory environment, which is common with orthodontic and dental surgeries and treatments. Researchers concluded that the study “demonstrated that [light therapy] inhibits inflammation, induced by endotoxins from E. coli and P. gingivalis.” [11] Muscles, exercise, & soreness: Numerous other trials have analyzed light therapy’s ability to treat muscle soreness and exercise-related inflammation and pain. A 2008 study found natural light had a beneficial effect on the symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness. [12] A 2010 Brazilian study found that people who used light therapy before strenuous exercise eventually experienced less pain and inflammation after workouts. [13] Laboratory research on mammals: The research mentioned above aligns with previous studies of inflammatory markers in lab rats, which have consistently found that light therapy treatments improve muscle soreness and decrease inflammation. [14]
Health & Fitness Leaders Recommend Light Therapy for Inflammation
The clinical results are very encouraging, demonstrating that natural light can play a major role in the treatment of inflammation and pain, without the dire side effects associated with NSAID medications. In addition, a number of physicians and health and fitness leaders have spoken about their own personal success treating inflammation and pain with Joovv red light therapy. Here’s a sampling:
Dr. Sarah Ballantyne (aka Paleo Mom): a biophysicist and New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Sarah has spoken about her struggles with joint pain and inflammation from fibromyalgia. she stated: “I owe my current energy level and lack of joint pain to using red light therapy...my own experience matches up with what’s documented in scientific literature. In particular, using has resulted in improved energy, markedly reduced pain, elevated mood, and I feel & look a lot younger”* World-renowned trainers: Jorge Cruise is a world-famous trainer and bestselling health & fitness author. He explained that his clients are often prevented from exercising properly because of inflammation and joint pain. So he’s incorporated red light therapy for himself & his clients to help overcome that pain and now he swears by it. Another world-famous trainer, Ben Greenfield, says light therapy is a game-changer for workouts and recovery, helping competitors overcome the strain and inflammatory pain of strenuous workouts. Ben has written a really helpful guide on light therapy, how it’s worked for him, and how to pick the best device for you. The experiences of these renowned trainers and their clients are in line with what the clinical research has concluded about light therapy’s positive effect on soreness and inflammation in muscle tissue.
Conclusion: Light Therapy is Clinically-Proven to Fight Pain and Inflammation
Red light therapy is well-established as an effective natural treatment for joint pain. Recent clinical research is showing the therapeutic effects red light has on inflammation as well. This is demonstrated not only in clinical settings, but with the experiences of health experts, and world-class trainers.
Scientific Sources & Medical References:
“What Are NSAIDs for Arthritis?” WebMD Hamblin M. “Mechanisms and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling in Photobiomodulation” Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2018, 94:199-212. 2017 October 31. doi: 10.1111/php.12864