Red Light Therapy For Back Pain - Review Of Scientific Studies

Many of us know the pain and discomfort caused by a sore back too well. Here's an interesting fact: Red light therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce chronic low back pain effectively. 

This blog post will explore the scientific research on how red and infrared light therapy, in science often referred to as low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation, can help relieve back pain at home using light energy.

In fact, the American College of Physicians recommends low-level laser therapy as a noninvasive treatment of low back pain. [1]

1. Red light therapy is a scientifically proven and non - invasive treatment that effectively reduces chronic low back pain. Whether your back pain is caused by degenerative changes like osteoarthritis, herniated disc or the breakdown of cartilage, or your back pain is a result of nerve compression such as spinal stenosis and sciatica, deep healing red light therapy can help relieve your pain and repair tendons, cartilage, and nerves.

2. It offers several benefits, including reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow and capillary formation, as well as accelerating healing and providing pain relief.

3. Red light therapy works by stimulating cellular energy production, activating anti - inflammatory responses, and modulating pain signaling pathways in the body.

Red light therapy (RLT) helps lessen long-term back pain. This treatment shines red and near-infrared light on your body, which in turn stimulates various biological processes that help ease (lower) back pain.

Deep healing therapy helps repair degenerative changes in tendons, cartilage and bones in 2 ways:

1) Through enhancing cell proliferation that activate signaling pathways to up-regulate growth factors.

2) Increasing the production of mesenchymal stem cells.

This stimulates the repair and re-growth of tendons, cartilage and bones.

"These low doses of light have demonstrated the ability to heal skin, nerves, tendons, cartilage and bones." [2]

Red light therapy has been found to activate anti-inflammatory responses in the body, which helps reduce pain and inflammation. It works through modulation of inflammatory pathways.

This means that red light therapy can help decrease an excessive and uncontrolled inflammatory response in the body such as swelling. This is especially beneficial for elderly individuals who may experience chronic inflammation.

"Laser therapy is a non-invasive method that contributes to pain relief and reduces inflammation, parallel to the enhanced healing and tissue repair processes." [3]

Deep healing supercharges cellular energy and restores normal mitochondrial functioning. This speeds up nerve regeneration and supports nerve repair. 

"Red to near-infrared LEDs have been shown to promote mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. In this study, LED irradiation improved nerve regeneration and increased antioxidation levels in the chamber fluid. Therefore, we propose that antioxidation induced by LEDs may be conducive to nerve regeneration." [4]

Another biological process the light stimulates is that it boosts the flow of blood and makes more capillaries. More blood means more oxygen, nutrients and water get to where they need to go.

This speeds up healing and lowers pain in your back. Also, new capillaries allow for better delivery of what your body needs to heal fast. 

"A significant increase in blood flow was noted in the treated group" [5]

"The results indicated that LLLT accelerated collateral circulation and enhanced microcirculation" [6]

This LED therapy can accelerate the healing at the cellular level, helping to promote faster recovery.

LED light therapy devices stimulate the production of energy in our cells.  This extra energy helps our cells function better and can lead to reduced pain and faster healing. Red light therapy can be used on large areas or even for our whole body, making it a convenient option for managing pain.

“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.” [7]

Red light therapy can help alleviate back pain by modulating pain signaling pathways in the body. By targeting these pathways, red light therapy offers a non-invasive and drug-free method to manage and reduce back pain for elderly individuals.

“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” [8]

Scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of red light therapy for back pain relief, reducing inflammation and pain. Below is a table of randomized controlled trials and clinical studies demonstrating the positive effects of low-level light therapy.

Red light therapy can be applied to effectively target and treat specific areas of back pain, providing relief and promoting healing.

This comparison signifies the potential of red and near-infrared light therapy as a safe and effective alternative, especially for elderly individuals who are looking for non-invasive and risk-free options to manage their back pain.

Red light therapy via a red light therapy belt can be used for targeted treatment on specific areas of the body, including the back. This means that you can focus the therapy directly on the area where you are experiencing pain or discomfort.

By using red light therapy on a specific area, such as your lower back, you can maximize its benefits and potentially reduce pain more effectively. This targeted approach allows for a more personalized and tailored treatment experience, which may be particularly beneficial for elderly individuals who may have specific areas of concern or localized pain.

To receive the maximum benefits of red light therapy for back pain, it is recommended to follow these treatment protocols:

Red light therapy is considered safe to use, especially for elderly individuals. It has virtually no risks or serious side effects. In fact, a study found that red light therapy was effective in reducing chronic low back pain with no adverse effects observed.

This means that it can be a safe and non-invasive treatment option for managing back pain without any major risks involved. Additionally, red light therapy is also considered safe for cancer patients, making it a viable option for those undergoing cancer treatments who may experience back pain as a result.

Scientific studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in relieving pain and promoting healing. With its non-invasive nature and minimal side effects, red light therapy offers a promising treatment option for individuals suffering from back pain.

Red light therapy uses red and NIR light to stimulate cellular metabolism, collagen production, manage pain and increase blood circulation.

Yes, you can use it for a range of pains as it helps manage different chronic pain conditions.

Yes, many studies show that red light therapy can help with chronic pain conditions, including back pain! These studies have been discussed above. You may refer to the references below to further read into these studies.