What is red light therapy?

Red light treatment also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) utilizes red and near-infrared light within specific wavelengths to promote healing. It has been shown to effectively treat issues by reducing the oxidative stress and promoting the body’s natural recovery process. In terms of conventional treatments red light therapy is relatively new but the practical application and potential healing benefits are continuing to evolve.

In the early 1990s, PBM was used by scientists to help grow plants in space. The scientists found that the intense light from red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) helped promote growth and photosynthesis of plant cells.

Red light was then studied for its potential application in medicine, more specifically to find out if PBM could increase energy inside human cells. The researchers discovered that PBM is an effective way to treat the muscle atrophy, slow wound healing, and bone density issues caused by weightlessness during space travel.

This discovery led to further research and the development of whole-body red light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation across the entire body.  Prism Light Pod red light therapy accelerates the healing process by increasing circulation and speeding up mitochondrial-based-photo-cellular regeneration throughout the musculoskeletal system. 

Red light therapy helps individuals rejuvenate from chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, scleroderma, migraines, PTSD, and other conditions.

How does red light therapy work?

The red and near-infrared light creates photochemical events that occur within the cellular structures of the body.  The mitochondria, the portion of the cell which produces ATP (energy for the cell), is especially receptive to the visible red and near-infrared light. The light specifically targets a mitochondrial enzyme called cytochrome oxidase c, a chromophore (a light sensitive molecule), and triggers a series of physiological reactions in diseased and damaged tissues to accelerate tissue regeneration and wound healing, increase circulation, reduce acute and chronic inflammation, reduce acute and chronic pain and help restore normal cellular function. 

By increasing the function of the mitochondria using red and near-infrared light, a cell can create more ATP (energy). With more energy, cells can function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves, and repair damage. The specifically delivered wavelengths of light into the skin, penetrating the cells, provide a specific dosage that is dependent upon the condition as well as the desired result. 

How is red light therapy used?

The specifically designed wavelengths of light are delivered into the skin, penetrating the cells and targeting the mitochondria, providing a specific dosage that is dependent upon the condition and desired result.  Red light exposure strengthens the mitochondria and encourages increased production of ATP, a vital energy-carrying molecule that aids in efficient functioning and rejuvenation, and speeds healing throughout the body.

Increased ATP production offers a wide variety of health benefits that affect many different parts of the body. Listed below are seven key benefits of red light therapy.

Energy Production

Because of the increase in ATP production, red light therapy is a directly pro-metabolic treatment. More energy-producing molecules in the cells mean better performance, improved functionality and accelerated recovery of the entire body. Improvements in energy production and energy levels can enhance productivity, improve stress management abilities, and greater overall well-being.

Muscle Recovery and Athletic Performance

More and more coaches, physical trainers, and athletes are discovering the benefits of red light therapy. Because red light therapy increases energy production and promotes faster muscle and tissue repair, it can help reduce muscle soreness after heavy exercise and speeds recovery up to ten times.

Studies have also shown that red light therapy can help reduce levels of CK—an enzyme that correlates with muscle fatigue—in the blood after exercise. As a result, red light therapy has proven useful in reducing muscular damage and accelerating recovery after a workout.

Chronic Pain and Inflammation Management

While inflammation is a natural healing process, it can lead to pain and other complications if left unchecked. Chronic inflammation can stem from disorders such as auto-immune disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Red light therapy helps lower inflammation—and the pain that accompanies it—by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, the molecules that cause inflammation in the body. Auto-immune diseases and other nerve damaging conditions may be due to high inflammation throughout the body. Red light therapy helps individuals rejuvenate from chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Scleroderma, Migraines, PTSD, and other conditions.

Arthritis and Joint Pain

A clinical trial, posted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), assessed the effectiveness of red light therapy on pain in adult patients with musculoskeletal disorders. There was a significant difference in pain between red light therapy patients supporting that red light therapy is an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Using red light beds accelerates inflammation reduction and may lead to significant pain reduction.

Skin Conditioning and Hair Health

The anti-inflammatory effects of red light therapy help combat acne and eczema, and improve overall skin health. Red light therapy also helps improve collagen levels, which work to preserve and rejuvenate the skin for anti-wrinkling. Similarly, NIH studies show that red light therapy can stimulate hair growth and treat alopecia.

Weight-Loss

The National Institute of Health (NIH) published a study applying red light therapy for 30 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks on 40 healthy young men and women. The subjects were asked not to change their diet nor exercise habits. Results demonstrated that red light therapy achieved safe and significant loss of fat and increased collagen by the end of the treatment period. Red-light therapy offers a natural way to get rid of fat cells and fatty acids in the body. Additionally, red light stimulates adipocyte apoptosis, bringing about the natural death of fat cells. Both processes serve to reduce fat cells and aid in weight-loss.

Wound and Injury Healing

Red light therapy supports tissue repair and reduces inflammation, both of which play a vital role in wound healing and muscle recovery. NIH studies have shown that treating wounds with red light can lead to a faster and more efficient healing process. This is particularly beneficial for slow-healing wounds, such as ulcers, post-surgical procedures, or side effects of chemotherapy.