There has been some research done to indicate the effectiveness of red light therapy on joint pain, including that coming from conditions like arthritis. This might be able to help people in the future who have trouble walking and moving around because of joint pain. Keep reading to find out more!
Can red light therapy work for joint pain?
Yes, some early research shows that red light therapy may have promising effects on joint pain, offering relief when you need it most. Most of the research indicates that red light therapy is most effective on inflammation, which can be a key player in why your joints are so swollen and irritated.
People who have tried red light therapy for joint pain reported that they had less pain and tenderness in their joints, with some even mentioning that their mobility improved, too. While red light therapy isn’t a surefire treatment plan yet, and some people might not experience similar outcomes, the positive results indicate that this type of treatment could very well be an effective holistic approach for an issue where treatments are limited.
What makes red light therapy an effective treatment for joint pain?
It can help reduce inflammation
Red light encourages the cells to make antioxidants faster and lower inflammatory markers, helping to boost circulation to relieve inflammation without drugs or surgery. These alternative treatments can be much more invasive than red light therapy, so this is a good choice for those looking for a gentler treatment without so many potential side effects or long recovery periods.
Soft laser therapy has the potential to help several inflammation-based conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Psoriasis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Brain disorders
It’s excellent for targeted pain
Red light therapy machines can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, which is a massive benefit that makes them stand out against similar machines like infrared saunas. Infrared saunas can also reduce inflammation as they use infrared light just like RLT machines, but they’re much bigger to offer full-body benefits rather than focusing just on your joints. On the other hand, newer red light therapy machines are coming in handheld alternatives, meaning you can use the far-infrared light on just your joints instead of your entire limbs.
Red light therapy can boost weight loss
Limited research has indicated that red light therapy is effective for reducing body weight, BMI, body fat mass, and percent body fat. The same randomised pilot study noted that quality of life improved, making RLT an intriguing treatment for weight loss. While more research into the topic would be needed, it’s interesting to consider whether this benefit of red light therapy would help joint pain, as high BMIs and obesity is a common cause of joint pain. It stands to reason that if RLT could reduce body weight, it should also have a knock-on effect of reduced joint pain.
How long should you use red light therapy to treat joint pain?
How often you use red light therapy for your joint pain all depends on its severity and whether you are referred by a doctor or not. Medical professionals may have larger, stronger machines that mean you can only remain exposed to the light for up to five minutes, while other machines may be safe for exposure for up to 20 minutes.
If you’re embarking on this journey without a medical referral, we recommend booking between 3 to 5 sessions per week, starting off slowly at around 5 minutes each. Everyone’s bodies respond differently to infrared light, so you might only be able to stay for around a minute. The more sessions you have, the longer you should be able to stay underneath the red light.
Red light therapy for joint pain: what does the research say?
So far, research into red light therapy for joint pain has been positive. One partially double-blind, fully randomised trial of 50 patients with degenerative osteoarthritis of both knees found red light therapy effective for relieving pain and disability to the knees. The participants applied RLT to their own knees for 15 minutes per day, twice a day, for 10 days. Pain reduction in the treatment groups found more than 50% effectiveness across all scoring groups, while the placebo group found no significant improvement. For patients who had the treatment, benefits lasted around one year after the trial before they asked for repeat treatment.
A few researchers looked into all of the current information and studies we have on red light therapy for musculoskeletal pain, finding that the majority of pilot studies have been positive in their findings. RLT is effective for pain relief and can even speed up the body’s ability to heal itself, and plenty of scientific evidence suggests it’ll be a good option for pain management. However, remember that red light therapy isn’t a treatment for inflammation, but rather a form of pain management.
Red light therapy for joint pain: is it the right treatment for you?
Red light therapy comes with very few side effects and can be safely used on everyone over the age of eighteen, so it’s a popular treatment that can help almost anyone suffering from joint pain.
However, if you’re concerned or unsure whether you should be embarking on this new treatment journey, we highly recommend speaking to your doctor beforehand to make sure it’s a good idea. They will know your medical history best and be able to advise you properly on whether this is a viable option for you to embark on.
FAQs
Is red light therapy good for arthritis symptoms?
Yes, a few studies have noted that red light therapy can be a helpful option for pain management in arthritis sufferers. It can help reduce inflammation to combat stiffness, making it easier to get up and walk around without so much pain. However, the effectiveness of RLT ultimately depends on the type of arthritis you have, as some studies have also found it less effective for osteoarthritis pain. Again, this isn’t a definite treatment plan for everyone, but as long as it’s safe for you, is there any harm in trying?
Is red light therapy safe?
Red light therapy is considered safe and isn’t associated with any side effects as long as it’s used correctly – perfect for most people suffering from joint pain. But if RLT is used too often or not according to the directions, there might be a chance it can damage the skin or eyes if they haven’t been protected. The long-term effects of red light therapy are still largely unknown as this is such a new treatment.
Final thoughts
Overall, red light therapy looks like it could be a promising addition to the pain management of joint pain sufferers. Some of its benefits include reducing inflammation, boosting weight loss, and being useable for targeted treatment, all of which can help joint pain – both directly and indirectly. Always make sure you use RLT safely and don’t spend longer than 20 minutes within a session, as this could increase the chance of negative side effects. While it’s not a surefire treatment, it’s still a good option if you’re looking to avoid medication and surgery.
