Blog Hero Image Woman with pain in spine holding lower back

Infrared Light Therapy For Pain Management

Light therapy is widely recognized for its aesthetic benefits, such as addressing signs of aging and acne. However, the advantages of near-infrared light therapy extend far beyond aesthetic benefits. In fact, infrared light is highly effective in pain management, delivering whole-body benefits that can transform lives.

Healthcare In The USA: The Facts

“In 2016, an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults had chronic pain” Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2018


A 2017 study estimates that up to 85% of people with chronic pain experience severe depression.


“The drug industry keeps ramping up its spending on lobbying” Washington Post, 2021


“Chronic pain-induced depression is a prevalent condition that should have increased awareness.” National Library of Medicine, 2022


“Every day more than 90 Americans die by opioid overdose.” American Society of Anesthesiologists

Healthcare In The USA Needs To Change

The facts are clear. Chronic pain management is an American health crisis.


Face with wrinkles

Approximately 20% of American adults live with chronic pain, leading to soaring healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and diminished quality of life nationwide.


Big pharmaceutical companies lobby heavily to maintain a healthcare system that is built on medication. Doctors are incentivized to sell drugs, not to heal patients in the most sustainable way possible. The system is designed to turn us into lifelong patients. From opioid dependency to anxiety and depression, for many of us healthcare comes at the devastating cost of our mental & physical wellbeing.


Thankfully, there are other treatment options available.


Understanding Infrared Light Therapy

Modern LED light therapy offers a contemporary solution for effectively managing chronic pain. It presents a natural alternative to traditional methods by avoiding harmful chemicals and the potential risks of dependency. Unlike opioids, which merely provide temporary relief, infrared light therapy addresses the root cause of pain, promoting tissue repair and optimizing bodily function. This holistic approach allows your body to heal from within, leading to enhanced overall health and well-being.


Just like our body can use sunlight to produce Vitamin D, scientific research demonstrates that human bodies can absorb light particles (photons) and convert them into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the energy form essential for powering metabolic processes, enhancing cellular performance, and promoting tissue repair and regeneration.


Modern LED light therapy employs two main wavelengths: red and near-infrared. While red light therapy primarily offers aesthetic benefits like acne treatment and collagen production, near-infrared light therapy delivers a distinct range of medical advantages. It has been clinically proven to penetrate deeply beneath the skin's surface, targeting muscle and joint pain at its root and providing much-needed relief for those affected by inflammation and injury.

“Low-power light therapy is effective in relieving pain...” National Library of Medicine

Mechanism Of Infrared Light For Pain Management

Pain occurs when oxygen levels at the nerves are too low. Think of how painful your finger becomes if you wrap a rubber band around it. The rubber band cuts off blood flow thereby depriving nerves and other cells of oxygen. The pain recedes when the rubber band is removed.


Similar to how plants rely on sunlight during photosynthesis, infrared light therapy, often referred to as "low-level light" therapy, employs specific proven wavelengths to stimulate a natural response in human tissue. This response can increase circulation, expedite tissue repair, alleviate muscle pain, reduce joint stiffness, and enhance overall cellular performance on a microscopic scale. By boosting cellular energy, infrared light therapy promotes and augments the body's innate healing capabilities.


Increased Blood Circulation: Red light therapy has been shown to improve blood flow and increase microcirculation which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues, facilitating the healing process.

Red light therapy enhances blood circulation through a mechanism known as vasodilation. The infrared light stimulates the release of nitric oxide, which leads to vasodilation, expanding the blood vessels. As a result, blood flow is improved, allowing for enhanced delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and other essential molecules to the surrounding tissues. The increased blood circulation induced by red light therapy contributes to various therapeutic benefits, including tissue repair, pain relief, and improved overall cellular function.

“...the laser application resulted in a significantly increased skin blood flow.” National Library of Medicine, 2016

Tissue Repair: By stimulating cellular metabolism and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, deep healing red light therapy creates an optimal environment for tissue repair.

When cells are exposed to red light, a series of photochemical reactions occur within the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cells. This leads to an increase in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source for cellular processes. The elevated ATP levels stimulate cellular metabolism, promoting the synthesis of proteins, DNA, and RNA necessary for tissue repair and regeneration. Red light therapy also activates signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, further aiding in tissue healing. Additionally, red light therapy modulates inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines, creating an optimal environment for tissue repair. Through these complex cellular mechanisms, red light therapy accelerates the natural healing process, making it a valuable tool in promoting tissue repair and regeneration.

“The photons are absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores in skin cells. Consequently, electron transport, adenosine triphosphate nitric oxide release, blood flow, reactive oxygen species increase, and diverse signaling pathways are activated. Stem cells can be activated, allowing increased tissue repair and healing.” National Library of Medicine, 2013

Restoring Normal Mitochondrial Functioning: Deep healing red light therapy restores normal mitochondrial functioning by supercharging the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reducing oxidative stress. This speeds up natural healing processes, enhances cellular metabolism and supports tissue & nerve growth and repair.   

Deep healing red light therapy has been shown to restore normal mitochondrial functioning through a process known as photobiomodulation. The mitochondria are the power plants in our body producing cellular energy called ATP which are formed from oxygen and glucose. Both are carried to cells through blood flow. The mitochondria are very sensitive to light, which is why infrared light therapy can stimulate ATP production in the mitochondria and increase blood circulation. This activation triggers a series of intracellular events, including the enhancement of electron transport chain activity and increased mitochondrial membrane potential. These effects lead to improved ATP production, enhanced cellular respiration, and optimized mitochondrial functioning. This promotes the synthesis of proteins, DNA, and other molecules necessary for nerve growth and repair. Red light therapy also helps to reduce oxidative stress by promoting the production of antioxidants and scavenging reactive oxygen species, which can damage mitochondria. By restoring normal mitochondrial functioning, red light therapy provides cells with the energy and resources necessary for optimal cellular activities and overall health.

“The laser causes hyperpolarization of the cell membrane and activation of the resynthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides free energy for the regenerative bioprocesses through hydrolysis.” National Library of Medicine, 2021

Reducing Inflammation: Research shows that deep healing therapy has anti-inflammatory effects. This reduces swelling & inflammation around affected joints, which alleviates pain and stiffness.   

Deep healing red light therapy exerts anti-inflammatory effects through various cellular mechanisms. When cells are exposed to red light, several signaling pathways are activated. One of the key mechanisms involves modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Red light therapy can downregulate the production and release of these pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation. Additionally, red light therapy stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), which helps to counterbalance the inflammatory response. Furthermore, red light therapy can inhibit the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), a transcription factor involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes. By modulating these inflammatory pathways, red light therapy provides a therapeutic approach for reducing inflammation and promoting a balanced immune response.

“PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.” National Library of Medicine, 2017

Modulation Of Pain Signals: Red light therapy regulate the release of neurotransmitters involved in pain perception, such as substance P, resulting in pain reduction.

Red light therapy effectively modulates pain signals through complex biological mechanisms. Substance P is released by nerve cells in response to pain stimuli, amplifying pain signals. Deep healing red light therapy has been shown to decrease the release and expression of substance P, thereby reducing its availability in the synaptic cleft.


Furthermore, increased mitochondrial function leads to the release of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators involved in pain regulation, such as endogenous opioids and serotonin. These substances help to inhibit pain transmission and modulate pain perception.


Additionally, red light therapy can suppress the production of inflammatory mediators that contribute to pain sensitization, such as prostaglandins and bradykinin. Red light therapy has also been shown to affect nerve conduction and reduce abnormal neuronal excitability, thereby dampening the transmission of pain signals.


Through these multifaceted mechanisms, red light therapy offers an effective approach for modulating pain signals and providing relief from various pain conditions. By targeting multiple components of the pain signaling pathway, red light therapy offers a comprehensive approach to pain management.

“In addition to the demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, LLLT may have benefits provided by its ability to act on nerves by reducing pain transmission and activating endogenous opioid receptors” National Library of Medicine, 2013

Collagen Production: By promoting collagen synthesis, deep healing red light therapy aids in the restoration of healthy joint structures and the reduction of scar tissue formation.

Red light therapy stimulates the production of collagen, a crucial component of connective tissues responsible for joint flexibility. By promoting collagen synthesis, deep healing red light therapy aids in the restoration of healthy joint structures and the reduction of scar tissue formation.

“...both novel light sources [...] have demonstrated efficacy and safety for skin rejuvenation and intradermal collagen increase when compared with controls.” National Library of Medicine, 2014

Conclusion

From chronic pain management to skin rejuvenation to enhanced exercise tolerance, deep healing red light therapy has demonstrated clinical efficacy across various medical applications, penetrating beyond the skin's surface to promote cellular health and well-being.


With its convenience, accessibility, and proven therapeutic benefits, light therapy stands as a promising approach to enhance well-being at the cellular level but stands against big pharmaceutical companies that lobby heavily against the use of such new technologies in the US healthcare system.

“The therapy is non-invasive, simple, of short duration, inexpensive, and non-damaging to tissue.” National Library of Medicine, 2021

“Serious life-threatening diseases such as stroke, heart attack, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury may soon be amenable to LLLT therapy.” National Library of Medicine

Understanding The Unique Benefits Of The Cura ProWave Deep Healing Pad

The Cura ProWave Deep Healing Pad stands out due to its ability to bend, flex, and conform closely to the skin's surface, maximizing the absorption of light energy and unlocking its maximum restorative potential.


With its unique and superior design, this device offers pain-relieving therapeutic benefits that are equivalent to or surpass those of more potent and costly devices such as red light panels or clinical laser devices. As a result, all-natural pain management becomes an affordable solution for anyone experiencing pain.


In just 20 minutes per day, the portable and lightweight Cura ProWave Deep Healing Pad allows users to achieve the same level of professional treatment as a clinic in the comfort of their own homes or while traveling.


Moreover, this treatment is non-invasive, requires no recovery time, and is suitable for all skin types.

The All New Cura ProWave Deep Healing Pad™ Is Now Available!

We've made our bestseller even better. Enjoy ground-breaking features for the most effective home therapy yet.

CuraLights Multi-Wavelength Technology Icon

Multi-Wavelength Technology

Feel your pain melt away with our new multi-wavelength technology incorporating the 2x most bioactive wavelengths for photobiomodulation: 660nm and 850nm.

CuraLights Pulsing+ Technology

Pulsing+ Technology

Recover faster, boost performance, and treat specific symptoms with Pulsing+ Mode.

Woman holding Cura ProWave Deep Healing Pad
CuraLights Triple Chip Medical LED Diode

Triple Chip Medical LED Diode

Supercharge your cellular energy with an extra large treatment area, 120 LEDs and 360 light chips with an irradiance over 120 mW/cm2.

CuraLights Hygiene+ Technology

Hygiene+

Enjoy a soothing experience, optimal results, and superior hygiene with a detachable, flexible pad that isolates sweat and oil on the skin.


More From Our Blog

How Does Red Light Therapy Work? The Biomechanisms Explained.
Red light therapy works by exposing the body to low levels of red or near-infrared light. This light stimulates various...
Neuropathy Scientific Research
Discover the benefits of red light therapy for neuropathy. Relieve pain and promote nerve regeneration with infrared led light therapy...