What is Red Light Therapy?
07/21/20: Addiction Recovery
Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that is known to be beneficial for various health issues such as skin problems, repairing damaged muscle tissues, and heal other parts of the body. This treatment method doesn't make use of any drug or medicine of any sort, making it completely harmless on the body. The process involves exposing the affected area to red or near-infrared light which is invisible to human eyes, but our body can feel the heat. Red light is mostly similar to infrared light with the only exception of being visible to humans. Red light therapy is backed by studies and is tested across hundreds of clinical trials. This treatment process has received an overwhelmingly positive response for issues such as collagen production, skin health, muscle recovery, inflammation, sleep, joint pain, and other health problems. Many people choose the therapy to cure minor issues like joint pain, recovery after exercise, scars and insect bite marks removal, etc, to even major issues such as arthritis, hair growth, and even dementia. It is referred by several names some of which include Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Low-Power Laser Therapy (LPLT), Light Box Therapy, Photobiomodulation (PBM), etc.How Does Red Light Therapy Works?
Plants use sunlight to help fuel the process of photosynthesis and promote plant growth. Similarly, RLT is used to leverage the natural benefits of red or near-infrared light to cure some of the health issues. The therapy can even be done while at home using quality red light-emitting devices. The beneficiary of the therapy has to stand near such a device, exposing the area to be healed to the red light. Constant exposure of red light to the exposed area increases cellular activity within that area. This biochemical process is based on the fact that mitochondria soaks up the energy provided by the red light, and then use that energy to power the cellular activity. An increase in cellular function enhances damaged tissue repair and also promotes certain body functions. Red light increases the mitochondrial function which promotes cell growth and makes them healthier than ever.Why Is It Effective?
Red light, due to its wavelength, can penetrate a few millimeters into the skin. This directly impacts the surrounding lymph, blood vessels, tissues, and hair follicles enhancing their function and pushing them to provide healthier outputs. This is the reason why people who undergo good quality red light therapy usually observe changes in 2-3 months depending upon the severity of the condition. This treatment process is also free of any drugs, harmful UV rays, chemicals, undesirable procedures, and their corresponding side effects. Red light therapy uses red light which doesn't have any adverse effects on the skin unlike the harmful UV rays used in other therapies. The procedure has been deemed successful by many researchers and is backed by the claims of those who have observed a change using this therapy. Various Olympians, NBA teams, NFL stars, trainers, leading gyms, and health leaders use red light therapy to fetch the natural benefits of this process. Why? Because it improves muscle function, muscle recovery, and promotes quick repairment of the damaged tissues during a high-intensity exercise session or after an intense game.Benefits of Using RLT
Although red light therapy bags several benefits to its name, there are a few important ones that should be focused more on. Also, for now, red light therapy is only known to be beneficial in inflammation-related health issues such as joint pain, muscle recovery, etc. There are more studies required to prove its worth in anti-inflammatory cases as well. The following are the most common benefits of RTL: Skin Marks This therapy can very well be used for wearing off scars, insect bites, wounds, stretch marks, and other skin irregularities that may have developed on your skin. Red light therapy is extremely beneficial to speed up the healing process making the scar vanish quickly. A 2014 research concluded that RTL increases healing and tissue repair which could eventually be helpful in acne scars, wrinkles, healing of burns, and hypertrophic scars. Hair Growth Have high-dose medications left you with no or less hair? Are you experiencing hair loss rapidly without any possible reason at all? Then red light therapy may just work for you. This treatment process is known to repair the damaged hair follicles so that hair growth can again be boosted. However, since this is a natural process, it will take 2-3 months for the effects to show. Also, red light therapy is only used to repair hair follicles that have been damaged due to certain medical conditions and medications. In hair loss issues where the hair follicles are dead, RTL would not be able to fetch any benefits. Muscle Recovery According to a study conducted in 2014, red light therapy is beneficial both before and after the workout. The study found that RLT helped reduce muscle soreness, muscle strength loss, and increase range-of-motion for up to four days after a high-intensity exercise routine. Pain Reliever One of the primary benefits of using RLT is its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. It is so beneficial that even the FDA has approved its use as a treatment measure for arthritis and minor pains. RLT can also be used to reduce pain in meniscus tears, osteoarthritis knee pain, back pain, joint pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. Rosacea The naturally ailing power of RLT has made it possible to use in rosacea related acme without having to think about side effects on the skin. Another treatment process requires a heavy dosage of drugs and chemicals which can make skin sensitive, leading to possible side effects. RLT boosts the healing process from within the skin so that the recovery is speedy. Antiaging RLT promotes collagen production which brightens the skin complexion and also helps maintain a good texture, pore size, tone, and even wrinkles.Conclusion
Red light therapy has been known to treat minor issues related to skin and muscle tissues. This treatment process has fetched positive results for the majority of people who have used it. However, in more complex cases such as arthritis, psoriasis, obesity, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, there is a need for more concrete evidence to surface. Without a proper medical study and more in-depth research, RLT can only be restricted to treat basic health issues. Red Light Therapy Scottsdale is a great resource. Red Light Therapy Studio is located in Scottsdale, AZ. Check them out and try the redlight therapy for yourself!If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact 602-737-1619 or email [email protected] to get the help you need. Our acclaimed recovery environment merges upscale, luxury accommodations with affordability, clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient care and aftercare.
