Red light therapy and ultra red light therapy belong to the therapeutic methods of light therapy. Both methods develop their therapeutic effects through heat, which develops in the tissues as a result of the radiation. For this reason, red light therapy and ultra-red light therapy also belong to the subfield of heat therapy. Depending on the indication, the light is applied to the body surface to be treated. The procedures are defined as follows:
- Red light therapy – therapeutic use of the longer wavelength red components of natural visible light.
- Ultrared light therapy – therapeutic use of the no longer visible, joining the red low-energy thermal radiation (treatment with infrared light).
Indications (areas of application)
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
- Arthrosis (joint wear and tear)
- Periathropathia humeroscapularis – generic term for various degenerative processes in the area of the rotator cuff (muscle group that is very important for the stability of the shoulder joint), the joint capsule or the biceps tendon at the shoulder joint.
- Inflammatory affections in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) – for example, a sinusitis (sinusitis).
- Fibrositis syndrome – generic term for the – partly called “soft tissue rheumatism” – painful conditions or pathological processes in the muscles (myositis) and connective tissue-rich structures of the skeletal soft tissues (bursitis, fasciitis, periostitis, periarthritis, tendinitis, tendovaginitis), nerve sheaths (neuritis), etc..
- Fibromyalgia syndrome – widespread syndrome leading to pain throughout the musculoskeletal system and additionally characterized by stiffness, sensory disturbances, sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue.
- Skin affections
- Myalgia – diffuse or localized muscle pain that occurs, for example, as muscle soreness or in combination with tension.
- Myogeloses – nodular or bead-shaped, clearly circumscribed hardening in the muscles (colloquially also called hard tension).
- Myotendopathies – painful disease of the muscle attachment tendons.
- Neuritides (inflammation of the nerves)
- Rheumatoid joint infections – occur outside of an inflammatory episode.
- Painful spinal affections – e.g. in degenerative changes or in the form of a root irritation syndrome (irritation of a nerve root, for example, by mechanical compression).
Contraindications
- Acute rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
- Entgleister diabetes mellitus (diabetes)
- Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism)
- Infectious arthritis
- Adrenal insufficiency (adrenal weakness)
- Severe diseases of the cardiovascular system (eg, myocardial infarction).
The procedure
Red light therapy is performed with the help of industrially manufactured incandescent light sources with an upstream red filter. The emitted light has a wavelength of about one μm and, compared to natural white light, penetrates deeper into the tissue without damaging the skin surface with heat. The infrared light used in ultraviolet light therapy is divided into three ranges, similar to UV light: IR-A, IR-B and IR-C. The lamp radiators used for therapy filter IR-B radiation and IR-C radiation to better utilize the deeper penetrating IR-A radiation. These special radiators emit infrared light with a wavelength of 780 nm. Another method uses water-filtered infrared light A (wIRA): this is a special infrared radiation (thermal radiation) in the range of 780-1,400 nm (nanometers). This radiation is produced naturally by the filtering effect of water and water vapor in the earth’s atmosphere on the infrared radiation of the sun and is characterized by very good compatibility. Compared to other infrared radiation, the thermal effect does not affect the uppermost layers of the skin, so it can be used in a variety of ways.Water-filtered infrared A has three main effects on tissues: it significantly increases the temperature, the supply of oxygen and blood circulation. Irradiation with wIRA inhibits inflammation and increased fluid secretion, relieves pain and promotes regeneration.In the tissue, the light causes a slow, steady increase in temperature, which first occurs in the superficial skin layers and later also in the deeper tissue layers due to heat back-up. Ultimately, the heat transport results in local heating of the lower-temperature fat, tendon and muscle tissue. This process has the following effects:
- Increase local metabolic processes – the metabolic activity is increased.
- Improvement of local blood circulation – vasodilation (vasodilatation) increases blood flow.
- Detonation of the muscles – the muscle tension is reduced
- Decrease in synovial viscosity – the synovial fluid loses viscosity
The application of both therapies is carried out several times in individual sessions, each lasting 10-15 minutes. The areas of application of red light therapy and ultraviolet light therapy are identical. The therapy can be selected depending on availability and tolerance.
Benefits
Red light therapy or ultra-red light therapy are proven procedures that provide a valuable contribution, especially for the therapeutic treatment of inflammation in the musculoskeletal system. They are beneficial forms of therapy that are also suitable for home use.
