NIR & IR Therapy for Pain Management - 1 session $25
All NON-INVASIVE NIR & IR Therapy sessions are one hour long
LED/NIR Pain Management Therapy
NIR wavelengths (780 to 1000 nm but most commonly 810-850 nm) are used in red light therapy devices. These wavelengths absorb just below the skin, where they stimulate cellular energy and health by increasing mitochondrial production of more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary fuel of the body’s cells
This benefits the cell directly, and on a bigger scale, the system to which the cell belongs. NIR wavelengths also increase blood flow, stimulate collagen synthesis, and reduce inflammation to promote accelerated wound healing and muscle recovery.
NIR (Near-infrared light) physical therapy is making huge strides in the physical therapy community as a complementary and primary treatment. The benefits of red light therapy are numerous. Here are some ways that this natural, safe, non-invasive, and pleasurable treatment can help your clients achieve the results they want.
Management of Acute and Chronic Pain
Near-infrared light therapy has been consistently shown in clinical trials to be effective for treating sports injuries, overuse injuries, osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, neuropathic pain, and even broken bones.
How can shining light on a painful area offer relief?
NIR therapy bridges the beneficial effects of light therapy and heat therapy:
Like red light, NIR light stimulates cellular functioning and cellulite, boosts collagen synthesis, promotes blood and lymph flow, and reduces inflammation.
Unlike red light, NIR light generates a small amount of heat in the body by exciting water molecules in the cells. Heat has been shown to have pain-relieving effects and to increase connective tissue elasticity, which is likely (at least partially) due to increased blood flow and a temporary mild inflammatory reaction.
It’s important to repeat NIR light generates very little heat. NIR light has been used successfully to treat conditions in heat-sensitive body parts, including the eyes and testicles. Light therapy helps relieve muscle and joint pain and has been proven safe and effective.
You can dive deeper into how NIR light treats aches and pains.
What does the research say?
A 2012 study by Chinese researchers observed the effects of NIR light on chronic pain, when used with nerve block (NB) or local block (LB). This three-week study evaluated the intensity of pre- and post-therapy pain in 52 patients with shoulder periarthritis (frozen shoulder), myofascial pain syndrome, or lateral epicondylitis.
The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group I received NB or LB along with near-infrared light. Group 2 received the same nerve or local block, but did not receive NIR light treatment.
Immediately after treatment, the researchers observed a significant difference between the test and control groups, with no side effects. They concluded that NIR light therapy effectively and safely treated chronic pain and that it has synergic effects with NB and LB.
The researchers also determined that the effects of the treatment are short-lived, which suggests that ongoing treatment could be beneficial in treating chronic pain.
Used for improved motor capabilities after injury or for pain management, NIR light therapy could be a valuable asset that helps keep many problems from getting worse and promotes healing.
Rehabilitation After Injury
Near-infrared light therapy has been shown to accelerate healing of muscles, connective tissues, bones, the brain, and even heal nerves following injury. Photobiomodulation also effectively supports treatment of wounds that won’t heal.
21 healthy men and 18 women were observed after receiving active and sham red light treatments on the biceps muscle on two separate, randomized days. After treatment in a 2015 study, participants were asked to complete bicep exercises.
Participants receiving the NIR treatment experienced less strength loss before and after workouts due to muscle fatigue than participants receiving the sham treatment.
This study suggests that NIR light therapy can act as an ergogenic aid by improving skeletal muscle function. NIR could be a valuable treatment to assist rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injury.