Pain Relief With Infrared Light Therapy
Infrared light therapy (ILT) is a safe, non-invasive treatment used to promote cell regeneration and repair in the body. It has been successful at treating various health conditions and injuries.
In addition to treating pain, melatonin is also prescribed for wounds and skin disorders. This is because it increases the circulation of oxygen-rich blood to affected areas, aiding cell healing while relieving pain.
Near infrared radiation (NIR) is an alternative to red light therapy that has demonstrated success for various ailments. NIR can range in wavelength from 760 to 1,400 nm and be applied through various home therapy devices.
NIR therapy has been proven to increase blood flow and decrease pain by stimulating nitric oxide production – a chemical which dilates vessels and promotes healing. It has been prescribed for various conditions like chronic non-healing wounds, lymphedema and peripheral neuropathy in diabetics.
NIR can be applied in several ways, but most often through pads with infrared emitting diodes placed on a patient’s skin. These pads are then held against the surface of the body at an exact frequency to activate cells and promote healing.
NIR wavelengths are similar to red light, yet they penetrate deeper into the body for greater effectiveness in relieving pain and stimulating healing. Furthermore, NIR is more powerful and can be applied for longer durations than red light for greater effects.
NIR therapy has been scientifically proven safer than red light therapy, with hundreds of studies conducted worldwide. Unlike red light which may damage cells within the body, NIR is 100% natural and without known side effects.
Monochromatic Infrared Energy, or MIRE, is a type of low-level infrared therapy used to treat medical issues such as peripheral neuropathy and wounds. It utilizes flexible pads with infrared-emitting diodes that target the skin and encourage nitric oxide production.
This type of laser has been suggested as an alternative to red light therapy and has been found more effective at relieving pain and inflammation by increasing oxygen-rich blood flow. Despite the many advantages of NIR and the wide array of products available for home use, there isn’t enough evidence to recommend low-level infrared lasers as a treatment for venous ulcers or other chronic non-healing wounds.
In 2011, a systematic review of the literature on NIR laser for treating neck pain was conducted. Results demonstrated that using NIR laser resulted in significant reductions of neck pain and improved function compared to a control group. The authors recommended further research to identify the most effective laser parameters, sites and modes of application.