Infrared Light Therapy for Treating Knee Pain at Home

Using Infrared Light Therapy to Relieve Knee Pain

Knee pain can severely impact mobility and quality of life. From soreness after exercise to chronic arthritis discomfort, knee problems affect millions. Medications provide partial relief but can cause side effects. Infrared light therapy is emerging as an effective, non-invasive treatment option for relieving different types of knee pain.

What is Infrared Light Therapy?

Infrared light therapy involves exposing the body to infrared wavelengths of light. Infrared is part of the electromagnetic light spectrum, with wavelengths longer than those of visible light. Infrared radiation given off by the sun helps warm the planet.

In infrared therapy devices, infrared LEDs or lasers emit light energy in specific infrared wavelengths shown to provide therapeutic benefits with minimal risks. When absorbed by cells, infrared light can improves cellular energy, blood flow, and tissue repair.

Benefits of Infrared Therapy for Knees

Infrared light penetrates beneath the skin to deliver energy to deep joint tissues. This provides various advantages for easing knee pain:

• Increases blood circulation and nutrient delivery to joint tissues.
• Reduces inflammation causing pain and stiffness.
• Stimulates collagen production and tissue regeneration.
• Eases muscle spasms around the knee.
• Activates stem cells involved in repair processes.
• Improves range of motion and flexibility.

The combination of anti-inflammatory, tissue regenerating, and analgesic effects makes infrared therapy ideal for alleviating many different knee problems.

Is Infrared Light Therapy Safe?

Infrared light therapy is very safe for the average person when administered properly and at appropriate therapeutic doses. The risk of adverse effects is extremely low.

Infrared therapy does not use UV light and does not damage the skin like excessive sun exposure. However, certain precautions are advised:

• Avoid shining lights directly into eyes.
• Use caution if you are photosensitive or take photosensitizing drugs.
• Discuss with your doctor if you have serious illness or take medications that suppress the immune system.
• Use only reputable devices designed for human infrared therapy.

Talk to your doctor before beginning infrared light treatment if you have any concerns about safety or interactions.

Using Infrared Light to Treat Knee Pain

Infrared light can be used to manage various common causes of knee pain, providing a safe alternative to medications.

Arthritis Knee Pain

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that progressively damages cartilage and bone. It commonly affects the knees, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.

Research shows that infrared therapy reduces inflammation and cartilage breakdown in arthritis. It also helps block pain signals. Daily at-home infrared light treatment can ease arthritis knee discomfort.

Post-Surgery Knee Pain

Following knee surgery for injuries or joint replacement, significant pain, swelling and stiffness is common during rehabilitation. Infrared therapy can accelerate healing after surgery by increasing blood flow, modulating inflammation, and speeding tissue repair.

Infrared light can also rejuvenate stem cells to enhance cartilage regeneration after procedures like microfracture surgery for cartilage defects.

Meniscus Tear Pain

Tears to the rubbery meniscus cartilage in the knee joint often occur with sports injuries or gradual wear-and-tear. Infrared light reduces inflammatory cytokines and degradative enzymes involved in meniscus tears, while also stimulating collagen production.

Pre-surgery infrared treatment could potentially improve outcomes after meniscus repair surgery by promoting tissue regeneration.

Bursitis Knee Pain

Inflammation of the bursa sacs around the kneecap can cause pain with walking and knee bending. Infrared therapy decreases inflammation in the synovial membrane lining the joint and bursa. It also increases mobility by reducing stiffness.

Sprained Knee Pain

Knee sprains from injuries or falls can lead to swelling, instability, and intense pain. Infrared light reduces edema and speeds the recovery of damaged ligaments and tissues after sprains. It also relieves muscular pain and spasms around knee sprains.

Infrared Devices to Use at Home for Knee Pain

There are various infrared light therapy devices available for convenient at-home use to treat knee discomfort:

Infrared Heating Pads

These flexible pads use infrared-emitting materials to provide sustained, therapeutic heating around painful knees. Benefits include increased circulation and relaxed muscles.

Handheld Infrared Light Devices

Portable, handheld LED units allow you to direct therapeutic wavelengths of infrared light right at the knee. The light penetrates tissue for targeted pain relief and healing.

Infrared Light Wraps/Bands

Wraps lined with infrared LEDs are worn around the knee for hands-free treatment. The flexible wraps provide full coverage of infrared light around the joint.

Infrared Saunas

Sitting in a sauna emitting infrared waves can heat tissues deeply, reduce inflammation, and ease chronic knee pain. Enhanced detoxification is an added bonus.

Wearable battery-powered infrared knee braces also exist, but tend to be more expensive. Always use reputable brands and follow device instructions carefully.

Infrared Light Therapy Protocols for Knees

Specific treatment variables influence the benefits of infrared for knee pain. Follow these infrared therapy protocols for optimal results:

Wavelength

Use infrared devices emitting wavelengths in the near/mid-infrared range (600-1200nm) which have the greatest tissue penetration abilities.

Power Density

Power density (irradiance) should be at least 20-30mW/cm2 but not exceed 100mW/cm2 for LEDs and 500mW/cm2 for lasers.

Time

Exposure times can vary from 5 minutes up to 30 minutes per session based on condition severity. Longer exposures allow deeper penetration.

Frequency

Daily use provides the best results. Consistency is key - infrared therapy provides cumulative benefits over the course of treatment.

Positioning

Direct LED panels or devices towards the front and sides of knees for optimal coverage of infrared light to tissues.

Are Infrared Light Devices Worth the Investment?

Given the costs of other knee pain treatments like medications, injections, and surgery - infrared light devices are very reasonably priced in comparison. The price depends on the type and features, but you can find quality options under $100.

For chronic knee problems, one-time purchase of an infrared device to use long-term at home can be much less expensive than ongoing doctor appointments, pills, etc. And non-drug infrared therapy avoids side effects.

With proven benefits and no risks, infrared therapy is very worthwhile for knee pain sufferers looking for safe, effective relief. Try it along with other conservative therapies under physician guidance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.