HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO RED LIGHT THERAPY TO TREAT PAIN?

Although light therapy has been in use for a long time, red light therapy is only recently becoming more popular. Its applications vary from treating aging and pain to stimulating healing in damaged tissue. Each of these different applications of red light therapy will often vary in usage time.

Because of its wide range of applications, red light therapy provides multiple benefits to our bodies. The healing properties of red light therapy extend after using the machine. It means there must be time between usage to allow the body to reap maximum benefits.



What Affects Frequency and Duration of Treatment?

 

 

  • Tolerance

 

The light may be irritating to some people’s eyes and skin. It is a temporary effect and is usually harmless.
 

  • Your Time


Sometimes, people may find the red light soothing and use it for meditation or yoga. Others have hectic schedules and may only have time for therapy. However, studies have shown red light therapy is effective even with only a few uses a week. You could start reaping the benefits with just two weekly sessions.
 

  • The Red Light Device


Different devices for red light therapy have extra power, which affects the effectiveness. The power of a device depends on the number of LEDs, energy output, energy density, and beam angle. The more powerful the device, the quicker you see the results.
 

  • Your Body


Red light therapy affects people differently as their bodies react differently. Some people will feel the effects immediately, while others will take some time. Depending on your body and needs, you will know how often you need to have the therapy. For the best results, you should remain consistent.



How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

 


Red light therapy works by stimulating the mitochondria in your cells. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells. Red light therapy prompts the cells to work more efficiently by stimulating these components in your cells. The energy produced from the treatment is helpful in healing, boosting cell growth, repairing skin, and rejuvenation.



Can You Have Too Much Red Light Exposure?

 


According to the trials and studies available on red light therapy, red light is not harmful. Although it is not detrimental, most practitioners recommend at least eight-hour breaks between exposure. The cells in your body can only absorb so much light, so shining light for many hours does not increase effectiveness.



What Types of Pain Does Red Light Therapy Treat?

 


Red light therapy has proven to be effective for several types of pain, including:
 

  • Chronic pain

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Neck pain

  • Joint pain

  • Bursitis

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Diabetic foot ulcers

  • Foot neuropathy

  • Psoriasis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis


For more on how often you should get red light therapy to treat pain, visit South Bay Wellness Center & Chiropractic at our office in San Jose, California. Call (408) 642-6060 to schedule an appointment today.

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