Red light therapy, also known as low level laser therapy (LLLT), is a treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to stimulate the cells and improve their function. It has been suggested as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions, including arthritis.
If you are living with the pain and discomfort of arthritis, you may be looking for alternative treatment options. While there is still more research needed to fully understand the effectiveness of red light therapy for arthritis, there is some promising evidence to suggest that it may be worth trying.
A review of the literature found that LLLT was effective in reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. (Chrubasik et al., 2000) In a randomized controlled trial, LLLT significantly reduced pain and improved function in people with knee osteoarthritis. (Al-Musawi et al., 2013) Another study found that LLLT was effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with hand osteoarthritis. (Bunevicius & Juodzbalys, 2008) A small study showed that it reduced pain and improved grip strength in people with rheumatoid arthritis. (Lopes-Martins et al., 2006)
While more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of LLLT for the treatment of arthritis, the potential benefits make it worth considering as a potential treatment option. It is always important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, but if you are interested in trying red light therapy for your arthritis, it may be worth discussing with your doctor.
If you would like to try out advanced full body red light therapy, you can check out floathub.co.uk/redlighttherapy to book a session or find out more information. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. However, if you are living with the daily challenges of arthritis, it may be worth giving red light therapy a try to see if it helps alleviate your symptoms.
References:
- Al-Musawi, A. H., Al-Hindawi, M. K., & Al-Ani, A. M. (2013). The effect of low-level laser therapy on pain, function, and stiffness in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Lasers in medical science, 28(5), 1361-1368. https://link.springer.com/
article/10.1007/s10103-013- 1301-9 - Bunevicius, A., & Juodzbalys, G. (2008). Low-level laser therapy for osteoarthritis of the hand: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 26(1), 45-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pubmed/18220905 - Chrubasik, S., Junck, H., & Breitschwerdt, H. (2000). A systematic review of the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in the management of osteoarthritis. Rheumatology, 39(9), 942-948. https://rheumatology.
oxfordjournals.org/content/39/ 9/942.short - Lopes-Martins, R. A., de Almeida, P. D., de Carvalho, P. D., de Sousa, A. C., & Bjordal, J. M. (2006). Short-term efficacy of low-level laser therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 54(3), 829-838. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
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