Understanding the Mechanisms Behind Red Light Therapy for Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can be painful, debilitating, and even deadly. And it’s surprisingly common. Of 13 thousand U.S. adults surveyed, 35% suffered from systemic inflammation. Finding a way to deal with chronic inflammation is a serious concern. It can lead to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and other diseases.

One promising treatment for chronic inflammation is red light therapy (RLT). RLT is excellent for dealing with skin issues. Wrinkles, acne, scarring, and redness all fade in a way that can seem like magic. However, in a landscape filled with fish oil and miracle cures, savvy consumers may doubt the results of RLT. The good news is that red light therapy isn’t a magical cure without any evidence of working; it’s a scientific practice that has been proven to combat inflammation on a cellular level, helping people live healthier lives that have less pain and more joy.

What Is Inflammation?

The term inflammation gets tossed around outside of its true medical sense. Inflammation—when it occurs for a short period—is a normal and healthy bodily response to injury or illness. It’s a way for the body to jump-start the healing process and protect itself from further injury by releasing white blood cells.

Inflammation happens naturally for different reasons, including after a tough workout or when you get a mild injury. You can tell if you’re dealing with acute inflammation if you’re experiencing:

• Mild pain or tenderness in the injured area
• Swelling
• Warmth radiating from the skin
• Flushed skin
• Reduced range of motion

These signs of acute inflammation should recede within a few hours or days. However, when inflammation lingers past the point of the injury healing or occurs without any known injury, exertion, or health problem, you’re likely dealing with chronic inflammation, which can be detrimental to your health and well-being.

Chronic inflammation is a persistent, low-level inflammation that can last for months or even years. It is often linked to various health conditions, including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

While acute inflammation is a protective response to injury or infection, chronic inflammation is long-term. It can contribute to tissue damage and exacerbate disease progression. Many people turn to traditional treatments for chronic inflammation, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. While these might offer some initial relief, using them long-term can have side effects and may not address the underlying causes of inflammation.

That’s where red light therapy for inflammation comes in. First, let’s understand what red light therapy is and how it has been used to treat inflammation.

The History of Red Light Therapy

Although RLT has gained more traction in recent years, it’s not a new therapy. In fact, in 1903, Niels Finsen received a Nobel Prize for his discovery that exposure to red light speeds up the healing of sores.

NASA, too, has spent decades studying RLT after noticing that the scientists who worked with LEDs seemed to heal more quickly than normal.

Since the 1950s, physiotherapists have used RLT for dermatological conditions, but it has been used to treat conditions as diverse as neonatal jaundice and lymphedema. Now, after falling out of popularity for about a decade, red light therapy is gaining more traction as more people hear about its therapeutic effects and scientists confirm what many of us know anecdotally – red light therapy can help our bodies feel, look, and function better.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

RLT operates on the principle that light can penetrate skin layers and be absorbed by the mitochondria, cells’ energy powerhouses. This absorption stimulates energy production through adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which plays a crucial role in cellular function.

Increased ATP production enhances cellular repair and regeneration processes, which can significantly reduce inflammation at the cellular level. This is in addition to a host of other positive effects.

When certain cells in your body absorb light, specific parts of the cell, like a protein called cytochrome c oxidase and calcium channels, react to it. This initial reaction triggers a chain of events:

1. Primary Effects: The cells’ energy production increases (more ATP), reactive molecules are briefly released, and calcium levels change. This can happen partly because some cells have light-sensitive proteins called opsins.
2. Secondary Effects: These changes lead to improved cell function, such as better survival, more rapid growth, and increased cell movement. The cells also start producing more proteins, which are essential for various functions in your body.
3. Tertiary Effects: Ultimately, this entire process helps your cells become stronger and healthier, leading to improved healing and tissue regeneration.

Light exposure can kickstart a series of reactions in your cells that boost their energy, help them grow, and make them more resilient.

The ability of red light to penetrate deeper into tissues compared to other light forms makes it particularly effective in reaching areas of chronic inflammation, such as joints and deep tissue layers.

This is where red light therapy shines as a non-invasive treatment option. By targeting the root causes of inflammation at the cellular level, red light therapy offers a safer and potentially more effective alternative for managing chronic inflammatory conditions. Plus, it can be done from the comfort of home with tools like DNA Vibe, which is a portable and safe red light therapy device that can be used anywhere. Not needing to go to a specialized clinic can be critical for people managing chronic inflammation who may not be able to leave their homes reliably.

The Role of Mitochondria in Red Light Therapy

Mitochondria are central to understanding how RLT combats inflammation. These organelles generate most of the cell’s supply of ATP, which our bodies rely on as a source of chemical energy. Mitochondria that absorb red and near-infrared light display a noticeable improvement in efficiency, leading to increased production of ATP. This, in turn, energizes cells to repair damaged tissues more effectively and reduces the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines. So, healthier mitochondria means more energy and less inflammation.

Cytokines are small proteins released by cells that specifically affect the interactions and communications between cells, often leading to inflammation. By modulating the activity of these cytokines, red light therapy can help to calm inflamed areas and promote healing.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Red Light Therapy for Inflammation

Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of red light therapy in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Research in the Lasers in Surgery and Medicine journal reported that RLT improved joint function and reduced pain in individuals with osteoarthritis. These findings highlight the potential of RLT as a therapeutic option for managing chronic inflammation and associated conditions.

In addition to joint-related inflammation, red light therapy research has seen promising results in treating skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea, which are often accompanied by chronic inflammation. The therapy’s ability to increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity further supports its use in dermatological applications.

Practical Considerations and Usage Guidelines

For those considering red light therapy for inflammation, it’s essential to understand how to integrate it into a treatment plan.

As mentioned earlier, the frequency and duration of RLT sessions depend on the severity of the inflammation and the individual’s response to the therapy. It is generally recommended to start with multiple sessions per week and gradually adjust based on the results. Start with short sessions to see how your body responds, and slowly add time to each session as long as you are experiencing positive results.

The good news is that, since red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment, it can be used in combination with other treatments, like physical therapy or medication. It does not require a prescription, so you can get started with red light therapy immediately if you want.

Moreover, the accessibility of red light therapy devices, such as the DNA Vibe Red Light Therapy Tool, makes it convenient for home use. However, ensuring that any RLT device is of high quality and meets safety standards to maximize benefits and minimize risks is crucial. DNA Vibe is made in the USA and veteran-owned. It prioritizes quality to ensure you have an enjoyable and beneficial experience every time you use it.

Why You Should Use Red Light Therapy for Inflammation

Red light therapy presents a promising approach to managing chronic inflammation. It offers a non-invasive, scientifically-backed method to reduce inflammation and promote healing at the cellular level. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, red light therapy could be a valuable addition to existing treatments for those suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions.

If you’re looking to take advantage of red light therapy, look no further: the DNA Vibe Red Light Therapy Tool is accessible, high-quality, and easy to use from anywhere you are located. If you’d like to learn more about DNA Vibe or order one for yourself, check out our store!

Health Disclaimer: It is recommended the reader of this site consult with a qualified health care provider of their choice when using any information obtained from this site, affiliate sites and other online websites and blogs. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.