Chronic pain – pain caused by a traumatic injury, a degenerative disease, or a congenital condition that lasts longer than three months despite medication or treatment – affects more than 50 million Americans.
Typically, doctors prescribe pain medications as a first line of treatment for chronic pain. Unfortunately, many of these medications only temporarily relieve symptoms, rather than addressing the underlying condition that causes the pain. Also, these drugs come with side effects that can range from nausea and drowsiness to heart complications or, in severe cases, addiction. Another conventional treatment option for severe cases of chronic pain is invasive surgery, depending on the specific problem.
However, if you are looking for a safer, drug-free, nonsurgical pain management solution, red light therapy may be right for you.
An Innovative Approach to Treating Chronic Pain
Red light therapy, simply known as RLT, utilizes cool LED (or near-infrared) light that is applied to areas of inflammation and discomfort, activating the mitochondria in your body’s cells. Known as the “powerhouses of the cells,” mitochondria produce the energy that is vital to cell survival and function. They are responsible for tissue growth, wound healing, and most significantly, the reduction of pain and inflammation in wounds and joints.
Also called soft laser or cold laser therapy, RLT is a non-invasive procedure that can be performed in-office. Low-frequency LED light is delivered to the skin to a depth of approximately five millimeters, targeting underlying connective tissues, such as nerves, tendons, or ligaments. Clinical studies have shown that RLT not only improves blood circulation and localized healing, but it also increases collagen which helps smooth your skin.
As such, RLT treats and helps manage a wide variety of chronic health conditions, including:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain)
- Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, especially in knee joints
- Repetitive motion injuries, such as bursitis and tendonitis
- Wounds, particularly diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities
- Nerve impingement disorders, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome
- Scarring from surgery or trauma
- Inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea
Red light therapy is also being investigated as a preventive treatment against recurring cold sores from the herpes simplex virus and as a means of reducing cancer chemotherapy side effects, including oral mucositis (painful inflammation and soreness of the mouth or gut).
Research also indicates that athletes recover more rapidly from certain sports injuries when they undergo RLT in conjunction with physical therapy and other orthopedic treatments.
Neuropathy Treatment Near Me
At NIVA Health, our highly trained healthcare providers can evaluate your chronic pain condition to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for red light therapy. We offer red light therapy in our Neuropathy Program and as a stand-alone treatment for other disorders. RLT does not require any special preparation beforehand and there is no downtime once treatment is completed. You simply come to your local NIVA Health office at your scheduled appointment time, put on a patient gown and eye protection, and comfortably receive your treatment in a matter of minutes. Most patients who undergo RLT find that ongoing sessions are especially effective, which is why some come in for treatments multiple times a week.
To learn more about red light therapy and how it could help improve your level of pain, functionality, and overall wellness, please contact one of our nine NIVA Health locations. To schedule an appointment, call your nearest NIVA Health office today or use our convenient appointment request form. We look forward to treating you!
