Do you have osteoarthritis of the knee joints and pain is the main problem? Make red light your assistant to reduce pain and other symptoms.
We are going to talk about how red and infrared light can reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
Let me remind you that “Osteoarthritis” is a joint disease in which cartilage is destroyed, causing bones to rub against each other. This causes pain, stiffness and decreased mobility. Most often, knees, hips and hand joints are affected, and the causes are considered to be age, excess weight or constant stress on the joints.
Look: over the past 30 years, the prevalence of osteoarthritis, especially affecting the joints of the legs and knee joints, has increased significantly. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, about 528 million people worldwide suffered from osteoarthritis, which is 113% more than in 1990. Of these, 365 million cases were due to damage to the knee joints. As you can see, osteoarthritis of the knee joints is quite a complex problem.
Red and infrared light are used to treat osteoarthritis because they help reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. These types of light penetrate deep into the tissues, improve blood circulation, and promote cartilage regeneration. Research shows that regular use of light therapy can reduce swelling and improve joint mobility. Infrared radiation also stimulates the production of collagen, which is important for joint health. Unlike medications, light therapy does not cause side effects and can be used as an adjunct treatment. However, to achieve lasting results, it is important to combine it with physical activity and proper nutrition.
Red and infrared light for osteoarthritis have several positive effects:
– Improved blood circulation – light stimulates capillary dilation, improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the joints.
– Anti-inflammatory effect – reduces the level of inflammatory cytokines and reduces tissue swelling.
– Analgesic effect – reduces the activity of pain receptors.
– Improved blood fluidity – prevents stagnation, which contributes to better nutrition of cartilage tissue.
– Stimulation of tissue regeneration – activates collagen production and improves the restoration of damaged cartilage.
– Reduced joint stiffness – relaxes the muscles around the joint, improving its mobility.
– Antioxidant effect – reduces oxidative stress, which contributes to the destruction of joint tissue.
Here are some links to clinical studies and reviews related to the use of red light for the treatment of osteoarthritis:
US National Library of Medicine (NCBI):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28987080/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10955339
Mater Hospital Brisbane study:
Physical basis of the therapeutic effect of these types of light.
For the treatment of joint diseases, red light with a wavelength in the range of 640 to 680 nanometers is most often used [3]. This range is considered effective for phototherapy and is often used in devices designed to relieve pain and inflammation in the joints.
In addition, infrared radiation with a wavelength of about (range: 800-900 nm) is also widely used to treat joint diseases due to its ability to penetrate deep into tissues and stimulate regenerative processes [1],[2]. However, this already refers to the near infrared range.
Thus, when choosing red light therapy for the treatment of joint diseases, both visible red light (640-680 nm) and the near infrared range (800-900 nm) should be taken into account.
Citations:
[1] https://lazero.ru/blog/lechenie-sustavov-lazerom/
[2] https://www.medicina.ru/patsientam/uslugi-kliniki/lazeroterapiya-dlya-sustavov/
[3] https://medservise.kz/p107835863-krasnaya-lampa-nevoton.html
Practical moments. Red and infrared light can relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, including pain, by improving blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating tissue repair. However, the effectiveness of these methods may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and the specific treatment parameters.
A. Speed of action:
Improvement in symptoms can be observed after just a few treatment sessions. For example, some studies show a decrease in pain and improvement in mobility after 8-10 sessions.
B. Efficacy:
- Pain: Red light (640-680 nm) may have less effect on muscle strength compared to infrared radiation (808 nm), but both ranges help reduce pain.
- Mobility: Infrared radiation is often more effective in improving microcirculation and functional activity of joints.
- Inflammation: Both types of light can reduce inflammatory manifestations, although infrared radiation sometimes shows more pronounced effects.
For optimal results, it is recommended to combine phototherapy with other treatments, such as exercise or medication.
Here are some guidelines on how to use this phototherapy:
1.Wavelength selection: Red light with a wavelength of 640-680 nanometers and infrared radiation in the range of 800-900 nanometers are often used to treat osteoarthritis. Therefore, check if the treatment device meets these parameters.
2.Duration and frequency of treatments: Generally, it is recommended to conduct sessions of 10 to 30 minutes, several times a week. The optimal frequency and duration may vary depending on the individual patient’s response.
3.Combination therapy: Red and infrared light can be used in combination with other treatments such as physical therapy, orthotics, or medications to enhance the effect.
4.Individualization of treatment: The selection of specific phototherapy parameters should be made under the guidance of a specialist, taking into account the patient’s health condition and his/her response to treatment.
Interesting point! You can assemble the treatment device yourself from available materials. For this you will need:
A regular incandescent lamp, preferably about 60 watts,
A red light glass, 30 cm by 30 cm in size.
Sore knees should be illuminated as follows: place the incandescent lamp at a distance of about 1 meter from the bare knees. Place the red glass between the incandescent lamp and the sore knees so that the light falling on the knees is only red. One treatment session is no more than 15 minutes. The course of treatment: 1 session during the day, 5 days in a row (1 session each), then a break for 2 days. And so on for 3 weeks, that is, a total of 15 sessions.
By the way, the incandescent lamp contains the range needed for treatment (640-680 nm and 800-900 nm).
Postscript: Before starting treatment, consult your doctor regarding the indications and contraindications for light therapy.
Be healthy!
