Let There Be Light: The Benefits and Risks of Infrared Light Therapy
Ever considered getting on the trend that is infrared light therapy? How does it work, what are the risks and benefits of infrared light? Find out in this blog.
Nearly 20% of American adults suffer from chronic pain.
If you’re among them, we know you’ll try almost anything to get the relief you need. However, you’re nervous about the high addiction potential of prescription painkillers — and you want to try a more holistic solution.
Maybe you’ve heard about infrared light therapy, and are ready to give it a try.
But what exactly is infrared light therapy?
In this post, we’ll fill you in on the benefits of infrared light, as well as the potential risks associated with it.
This way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether or not it’s the right move for you.
What is Infrared Light Therapy?
Before we discuss the benefits of infrared therapy, let’s first make sure you understand what it is.
Know that infrared light is not the same thing as harmful UV lighting (which damages cells, skin, and tissues and may even lead to cancer.) In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Infrared light actually helps to strengthen, regenerate, and increase the production of cells and tissues in your body. What’s more, it also improves oxygen circulation throughout your body. This, in particular, is what makes it effective for managing pain and stiffness.
It’s actually able to penetrate through about 2 to 7 inches of skin layers. Think of it as an alternative to an often painful deep tissue massage. It can target muscles, bones, nerves, and other areas where inflammation and soreness are born.
Today, infrared light therapy is a part of the treatment of a wide variety of conditions. These include carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, arthritis, muscle strain in athletes, TMB, and even tendonitis.
You won’t experience any pain while undergoing infrared light therapy. This is because, unlike other forms of laser therapy like pulse-light therapy, (IPL for short) infrared light does not damage the outer layer of the skin.
The Benefits of Infrared Light
There are countless benefits to both standard and near-infrared light therapy and red light therapy.
While it’s perhaps most well-known for treating chronic and acute pain, many also use the therapy for cosmetic reasons.
If you’re suffering from alopecia, infrared light may be able to stimulate hair growth. It can also increase your body’s production of collagen, which helps to prevent new wrinkles from forming and lessens the appearance of wrinkles you already have.
Some use infrared therapy to help to speed up the fading of acne scars, while others rely on it to prevent cold sores.
It can also help to speed up the wound healing process, especially in diabetics and others who have weaker/compromised immune systems. Some cancer patients say that infrared light therapy helps to relieve the pain associated with cancer treatments like chemo and radiation.
Infrared light therapy is also used to detoxify the body, especially when it’s used in combination with saunas. While detoxifying the body can sometimes promote weight loss, more importantly, it aids in digestion and strengthens your immune system.
Especially if you’ve just been feeling a bit run-down and “off” lately, we suggest you give infrared therapy a try.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Perhaps one of the most surprising benefits of infrared waves is that they may be able to improve your overall cardiovascular health.
This is because infrared light encourages your body to produce more nitric oxide, which strengthens blood vessel health.
Nitric oxide also fights off the formation of blood clots, lowers your oxidative stress levels, and even keeps your blood pressure within a healthy range.
Potential Risks of Infrared Therapy
As you can see, there are tons of potential benefits of infrared light.
While it’s safe for most people, it’s not completely without risk.
First of all, pregnant women or women who are currently trying to get pregnant should never undergo infrared therapy. Additionally, be aware that if you use too high of a wavelength, you may be susceptible to burns and thermal injuries.
Some people also report headaches and irritability after infrared light treatment, but these side effects generally fade within a few hours.
You may experience temporary insomnia or even eye strain — though this is quite rare. Your technician will always provide you with the proper eye protection you need to wear during your treatment.
As mentioned, most side effects fade within 24-48 hours after treatment. Speak with a medical professional immediately if they persist.
If you’re currently suffering from any kind of chronic illness, check with your doctor before getting infrared light therapy.
Above all, never use infrared light as a substitute for the medications prescribed to treat your conditions — only as a supplement to them.
Want to See the Health Benefits of Infrared Light for Yourself?
If you’re suffering from debilitating chronic pain, we hope this post has helped you to understand more about both the risks and benefits of infrared light.
While it’s not right for everyone, it has helped thousands of people to manage their pain and increase mobility.
However, if your pain is especially severe, infrared therapy alone may not be enough. You may also need to switch up your diet and learn which forms of low-impact exercise can help to strengthen your muscles without damaging them.
You may also find you benefit from adding certain supplements to your diet. Perhaps you’re even curious about how CBD may be able to help you manage your pain.
Our blog can teach you about all those things and much more.
Keep reading our posts to learn more about the best ways to banish pain for good.
