Illnessescan overwhelm our bodies, and some of them have the potential to severely debilitate us to the point of affecting our physical capabilities. An ailment that impedes you due to the extent of pain it causes feels nothing less than a curse.
Conditions like Arthritis, scleroderma, lung inflammation, lupus vasculitis or ankylosing spondylitis are all excruciatingly painful and significantly affect how we have to spend our day-to-day life. This not only affects your personal life but also decreases your productivity at work. Many individuals also end up suffering mentally and feel isolated about sharing their emotions with anyone. That calls for some significant interventions that can make the life of these individuals better!
There are many pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for treating chronic inflammatory disorders. These medications provide symptomatic relief and cannot reverse the damage that exists in your body. Many home and herbal remedies have also been used over the years, such as acupuncture or the addition of turmeric into the diet. However, these treatmentsare also usually not sufficient to bring the person back into peak health and out of their sufferings.
With science and technology reaching great heights every day, it has been discovered that there are some straightforward and safe methods to help individuals suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions. The new method involves light wavelengths of a particular spectrum, imparting the color red (600-700 nm). Coupled with this, Near-Infrared (NIR) wavelengths (between 770-1200 nm) also have a therapeutic effect on the body. The combined effects of these light waves have been shown to provide great results for inflammatory symptoms.
Role of Red and NIR light therapy waves in the management of inflammatory disorders
The primary mechanism through which these specific wavelengths of light work is called Photobiomodulation (PBM). Through this process, the light waves first emit an energy-packed photon into the cells that get absorbed. The absorption takes place with the help of specific complexes that can take up light energy and convert it into chemical energy. These complexes are Flavins, Flavoproteins, Opsins, Cytochrome COxidase, and Chromophores that influence the conversion into usable energy for our cells.
There are a few ways through which red and NIR light wave therapy works to help individuals suffering from inflammatory disorders, which are discussed in the following sections.
Decreases Oxidative Stress
One of the major causes of prolonged inflammatory actions in the body is an inadequate oxygen supply to the cells. This state of hypoxia not just stimulates many inflammatory reactions but also impairs healing. This hypoxic state is called oxidative stress in the cells.
Red and NIR light wave therapy works to reverse this condition. As soon as the photons hit the mitochondria in our cells, Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO) is stimulated, which ultimately increases the membrane potential. This increase of the mitochondrial membrane potential above baseline levels results in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) being released. This compound starts a chain of many beneficial signaling pathways, which works at decreasing inflammation [1].
Additionally, with the application of Red and NIR light therapy waves, our cells source of energy Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), as well as Nitrous Oxide, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and Calcium, also gets released. This ultimately contributes to decreasing oxidative stress.
Inhibition of Cytokines
Cytokines are essential inflammatory modulators released at any site of damage that release pain-causing factors and also increase the damage to the area. These cytokines are prevented from being released by the actions of Red and NIR light therapy waves.
From conditions such as lung infections, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injury, high degrees of inflammation cause the death of the tissue, which cannot be restored. Through red and NIR light therapy waves, not only will the process of inflammation be slowed down, but the damaged tissues and structures are also healed more naturally.
Role of Red and NIR light therapy waves on Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, being either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies attack the body’s normal cells, causing stiff joints and immobility. Osteoarthritis is degenerative and is a clinical manifestation of increasing age.
The application of red and NIR therapy light waves have been shown to decrease the extent of pain and decrease levels of inflammation. This is closely linked to the descriptions in the previous sections regarding inflammation reduction.
People suffering from painful conditions such as arthritis or other inflammatory disorders are recommended to trial high quality red and NIR light therapy products developed by approved manufacturers through agencies such as the FDA. One of the most recommended online stores which offer portable and trusted products is TLA (therapylights.com.au), with a vast collection of gadgets to suit a variety of applications.
Does Red and NIR light Therapy Increase your risk of Cancer?
Red or NIR light therapy does not pose a threat to the body or have the potential to cause mutations due to the low intensity and less scattering power. Research has proven that the longer the wavelength of light, the fewer chances it has to scatter and disperse. Therefore, longer wavelengths such as red waves do not scatter as much and can penetrate further.
However, be aware of stores that sell other light-emitting devices claiming to have the same effects as red and NIR light waves. Both blue and green light sources have been seen to come with positive effects on the body, but they do not have the right absorption potential into the tissues that red and NIR therapy light has.
Due to quality red and NIR light devices not releasing any harmful UV rays, there is no risk of skin cancer associated with these waves. They are considered the safest, easiest and most effective alternative to other conventional methods of relieving pain and inflammation.
Therefore, if you want to get your hands on a brand that can guarantee the quality of its products through certified manufacturers, ensuring no UV or EMF (electromagnetic fields), see therapylights.com.au.
Works Cited:
- Wickenheisser VA, Zywot EM, Rabjohns EM, Lee HH, Lawrence DS, Tarrant TK.2019. Laser light therapy in inflammatory, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune disease. Current allergy and asthma reports 19(8):1-5.
- Pallotta RC, Bjordal JM, Frigo L, Junior EC, Teixeira S, Marcos RL, Ramos L, de Moura Messias F, Lopes-Martins RÁ.2012. Infrared (810-nm) low-level laser therapy on rat experimental knee inflammation. Lasers in medical science 27(1):71-8.
- Hamblin MR. 2017. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS biophysics4(3):337.