What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses a low-powered red light to deliver wavelengths directly
through the skin. The light is then absorbed by the cells, where it gives the
mitochondria a boost and triggers the increased production of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP). This increase in ATP creates higher functioning cells that
stimulate the body’s natural processes, resulting in benefits such as decreased
inflammation, increases in blood flow, increases in collagen production, reduced
effects of oxidative stress, and an increased ability to repair and restore
damaged cells and tissue.
Numerous studies have examined the benefits of red
light therapy in a variety of different applications. For example, a 2018
randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in
Lasers in Medical Science looked at the use of red light therapy to treat acute pain and inflammation in
patients that underwent total hip arthroplasty. When compared to placebo
patients, those receiving red light therapy showed decreased levels of
inflammatory cytokines and decreased pain intensity.