How Red Light Therapy Helps Relieve Arthritis Symptoms?
Living with arthritis can feel like an endless battle. The constant pain, limited mobility, and the emotional toll it takes on your well-being can make daily tasks a challenge.
With 53.2 million adults in the U.S. suffering from arthritis, it’s no surprise that people are desperately seeking effective relief.
That’s where red light therapy comes in. This innovative treatment has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, offering a promising solution for arthritis sufferers.
Keep reading to discover how it could change your life!
What is arthritis, and what causes it?
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
It can make daily activities difficult, as the pain often limits movement and flexibility.
Although arthritis is not fully curable, treatments like medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
The exact cause of arthritis is not always clear, but factors like genetics, age, and injury can contribute to its development.
Some common treatments include pain relief medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some cases, surgery.
How Red Light Therapy Helps Relieve Arthritis Symptoms?
Pain Reduction
Reducing pain is essential for managing arthritis, as it helps improve mobility and enhances daily life.
One study highlights that photobiomodulation therapy, using red and near-infrared light, reduces pain by decreasing inflammation and boosting cellular energy.
Another study shows that this therapy lowers oxidative stress, calms inflammatory markers, and promotes healing in musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
Unlike medications, it’s non-invasive and side-effect-free, offering a safe and effective solution for arthritis pain relief and improved quality of life.
Improved Circulation and Healing
Improved circulation plays a key role in relieving arthritis symptoms by delivering more oxygen and nutrients to affected joints, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.
A study found that red light therapy, specifically at 670 nm, can significantly improve circulation by increasing nitric oxide (NO) levels in blood vessels.
This boost in NO promotes vasodilation, or the widening of blood vessels, which enhances blood flow.
Anti-inflammatory Effects for Joint Relief
Red light therapy helps relieve arthritis symptoms by significantly reducing inflammation in the joints. The therapy works by using red light to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and decrease swelling. It triggers natural processes in the body that lower harmful inflammatory markers, leading to less joint pain and improved mobility.
Enhanced Joint Mobility and Function
Enhanced joint mobility and function are crucial for people suffering from arthritis, as they can significantly improve daily movement and reduce discomfort.
Red light therapy has shown promise in achieving this, especially for those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).
According to a 2023 study, red light therapy reduces inflammation by using near-infrared light, which helps regulate cellular functions and promotes joint recovery.
This process enhances joint mobility and reduces stiffness, offering a non-invasive option to ease arthritis symptoms and improve quality of life.
How to prevent arthritis?
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent arthritis and reduce stress on your joints, making it easier to manage symptoms.
A 2022 study highlights that weight loss is often recommended for knee and hip osteoarthritis, with approaches combining diet and exercise showing promising results.
Exercise Regularly
According to a 2011 study, properly designed aerobic and resistance exercises not only help reverse rheumatoid cachexia (muscle loss caused by rheumatoid arthritis) but also reduce joint pain, improve function, and lower cardiovascular risks.
Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Following an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce the risk of arthritis and alleviate symptoms if already present.
A recent study, the FEAST trial, highlighted that such diets, rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, and healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, can significantly lower inflammation.
These foods are packed with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and fiber, which combat inflammation and support overall joint health.
The study also noted that anti-inflammatory diets are more sustainable and effective in reducing symptoms compared to traditional low-fat diets.
Avoiding processed and pro-inflammatory foods is key to maximizing these benefits.
Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol
Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation can help reduce your risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A Swedish study found that smoking increases the chances of developing RA, while moderate alcohol consumption can lower the risk by 30%.
The study also showed that alcohol might reduce some of the harmful effects of smoking on RA.
This means quitting smoking and being mindful of alcohol use could make a big difference in preventing arthritis and protecting your joints over time.
