What is the difference between red light therapy and infrared therapy?
What is the difference between red light therapy and infrared therapy? In-Depth Analysis
So, what is the difference between red light therapy and infrared therapy? Let’s dive right in!
While both therapies use light to stimulate the body's natural healing processes, the main difference lies in the wavelengths of light they use, and how these wavelengths interact with your body.
Red light therapy uses visible red light, with wavelengths typically in the range of 630-660 nanometers. This light penetrates about 8-10 millimeters into your skin, where it stimulates your cells and promotes healing.
Infrared therapy, on the other hand, uses invisible infrared light, with wavelengths typically in the range of 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter. This light penetrates much deeper into your body, up to several inches, where it turns into heat and promotes relaxation and improved circulation.
Another key difference between the two therapies is their applications. While red light therapy is primarily used for skin health and muscle recovery, infrared therapy is more commonly used for relaxation, improved circulation, and pain management.
Let’s look at these two types of light therapy in a little more detail!
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What this blog will cover…
What is Red Light Therapy
What is Infrared Therapy?
Is Near Infrared and Red Light Therapy the Same?
The Science Behind Red Light and Infrared Therapy
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief
Benefits of Infrared Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief
How to Choose Between Red Light Therapy and Infrared Therapy?
Conclusion: Finding the Right Treatment for Your Chronic Pain Relief
What is the difference between red light therapy and infrared therapy?
1. What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is a type of treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of light to treat skin issues, such as wrinkles, scars, and persistent wounds. In recent years, it has also been used for pain management and muscle recovery, thanks to its ability to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
Red light therapy works by delivering safe, concentrated wavelengths of natural light into your skin, where it's absorbed by your cells. This light stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of your cells. More ATP means more energy, which in turn means healthier, more efficient cells.
Studies have shown that red light therapy can be effective in reducing chronic pain, thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation and stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. It's a non-invasive, painless, and drug-free treatment that can be used to manage a wide range of conditions, from arthritis and fibromyalgia to back pain and migraine headaches.
2. What is Infrared Therapy?
Infrared therapy, on the other hand, is a type of treatment that uses infrared light to improve circulation, promote relaxation, and ease pain. Infrared light is a type of energy that we can't see, but we can feel as heat. It's the same type of heat produced by the sun, without the harmful ultraviolet rays.
Infrared therapy works by delivering infrared light deep into your body, where it turns into heat. This heat improves circulation, promotes relaxation, and helps to reduce pain. It does this by expanding your blood vessels, which increases oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and damaged tissues.
Just like red light therapy, infrared therapy has been shown to be effective in managing chronic pain. It can help to reduce muscle tension, improve joint flexibility, and decrease inflammation, making it a useful treatment for conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and muscle strains and sprains.
3. Is Near Infrared and Red Light Therapy the Same?
The question "Is near infrared and red light therapy the same?" is a common one. The answer is no, they are not the same, although they are similar in many ways.
Near infrared therapy is a type of infrared therapy that uses wavelengths in the range of 700-1400 nanometers. These wavelengths are closer to the red end of the light spectrum, hence the term "near" infrared. Near infrared light penetrates even deeper into your body than regular infrared light, providing more profound heat and relaxation benefits.
While both red light therapy and near infrared therapy can be effective in managing chronic pain, they work in slightly different ways and are used to treat different conditions. It's important to understand these differences to choose the right treatment for your specific needs.
4. The Science Behind Red Light and Infrared Therapy
The science behind red light and infrared therapy is fascinating. Both therapies are based on the concept of photobiomodulation, the process by which light energy changes cell function.
When the light from these therapies enters your body, it's absorbed by your cells, specifically by a part of your cells called the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells, responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency of your cells.
Exposure to red and infrared light stimulates the mitochondria to produce more ATP, which provides your cells with more energy. This increased energy promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and helps to relieve pain.
In addition to boosting ATP production, both therapies also increase circulation and promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. These effects combined can lead to significant reductions in chronic pain.
5. Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief
Red light therapy offers several benefits for chronic pain relief. Firstly, it reduces inflammation, a major cause of chronic pain. Chronic inflammation can damage tissues and cause pain, and by reducing inflammation, red light therapy can help to alleviate this pain.
Secondly, red light therapy stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain, providing natural, drug-free pain relief.
Lastly, red light therapy promotes healing by increasing the production of ATP, the energy currency of your cells. More ATP means healthier, more efficient cells, which can speed up the healing process and reduce pain.
6. Benefits of Infrared Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief
Infrared therapy also offers several benefits for chronic pain relief. Firstly, it improves circulation, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Improved circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your muscles and damaged tissues, which can speed up the healing process and reduce pain.
Secondly, infrared therapy promotes relaxation. The heat from infrared light can help to relax your muscles, reduce tension, and alleviate pain. This can be particularly beneficial for conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and muscle strains and sprains.
Lastly, like red light therapy, infrared therapy also stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. This can provide natural, drug-free pain relief, helping you to manage your chronic pain more effectively.
7. How to Choose Between Red Light Therapy and Infrared Therapy?
So, how do you choose between red light therapy and infrared therapy? The answer depends on your specific needs and the nature of your chronic pain.
If your pain is primarily related to skin issues, such as wounds or scars, or if it's related to muscle recovery, red light therapy may be the best option for you. Red light therapy is also a good option if you're looking for a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that can be used at home.
If your pain is more related to muscle tension, joint issues, or poor circulation, infrared therapy may be more beneficial. Infrared therapy is also a good option if you're looking for a treatment that can provide deep, penetrating heat and relaxation benefits.
Of course, it's always important to talk to your doctor or a trained health professional before starting any new treatment. They can provide you with personalized advice and guidance, ensuring you choose the treatment that's right for you.
8. Conclusion: Finding the Right Treatment for Your Chronic Pain Relief
Living with chronic pain can be difficult, but there are treatments and therapies available that can help. Red light therapy and infrared therapy are two such treatments, offering a range of benefits from reduced inflammation and improved circulation to natural, drug-free pain relief.
Understanding the difference between red light therapy and infrared therapy is the first step in finding the right treatment for your chronic pain relief. Whether you choose red light therapy, infrared therapy, or a combination of both, the key is to find a treatment that works for you, one that provides relief from your pain and improves your quality of life.
If you are interested in incorporating RLT into your pain management routine, you can visit a professional, such as a physical therapist or a chiropractor, who offers this therapy. Alternatively, there are home devices available for personal use from well respected companies such as EMR-TEK and Red Light Rising. Amazon.com also has a huge selection of infrared light therapy home devices to choose from.
Remember, it's always important to talk to your doctor or a trained health professional before starting any new treatment. They can provide you with personalized advice and guidance, ensuring you choose the treatment that's right for you. After all, you deserve to live a life free from chronic pain, and with the right treatment, you can.
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Sources:
Delzell, P. (2021). Benefits of Light Therapy On Chronic Pain. [online] Advanced Musculoskeletal Medicine Consultants, Inc. Available at: https://advancedmmc.com/light-therapy-benefits-on-chronic-pain/.
Rocky Mountain Saunas Team (n.d.). Infrared Sauna Pain Relief is Powerful. [online] Rocky Mountain Infrared Saunas. Available at: https://rockymountainsaunas.com/blogs/health-articles/infrared-sauna-benefits-for-pain-relief.
Therapy, reVive L. (2020). How Pain Relief and Infrared Light Therapy Work. [online] LED Technologies, Inc. Available at: https://ledtechnologies.com/blog/how-infrared-light-therapy-pain-relief-works/.
