Red Light Therapy: A Promising New Treatment for Neuropathy

Red Light Therapy as a Promising Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage of the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. This condition causes tingling, numbness, weakness and pain in the hands, feet, arms or legs. Medications have limited efficacy in treating neuropathy symptoms and often carry significant side effects. However, early research indicates that red light therapy may represent an effective alternative approach to managing neuropathic pain and nerve damage.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy:

• Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy, with over 50% of diabetics eventually developing some degree of nerve pain and numbness.
• Injuries, trauma or compression that damage nerves can also lead to neuropathy in the affected areas.
• Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may produce inflammation that damages nerves.
• Infections, including HIV/AIDS, shingles, and hepatitis C are additional potential factors underlying neuropathy.
• Kidney disorders, alcohol abuse, and vitamin deficiencies may also increase susceptibility to nerve problems in the extremities.

Medication Shortcomings for Treating Neuropathic Pain and Nerve Damage

Prescription medications commonly used to treat neuropathy like gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and opioids can produce significant side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, weight gain and loss of coordination. What's more, they are often only moderately effective at relieving neuropathic symptoms. Many patients get no pain relief whatsoever from these drugs. This illustrates the need for safer, non-pharmacological alternatives capable of protecting nerve health and functioning.

Introducing Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy involves exposing the body to low-power red and near-infrared light for a range of proposed wellness benefits, including reducing nerve pain and improving nerve functionality. Also referred to as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), red light treatments essentially catalyze natural healing processes in the body via light-sensitive cell receptors that stimulate regeneration and repair.

In the case of peripheral neuropathy, subjecting nerves in the hands, feet and other areas impacted by damage to red light stimulation appears to ease neuropathy symptoms reminiscent of inflammation and injuries. There is accelerating research demonstrating that light within the red and near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum has unique biochemical properties capable of positively influencing physiological processes - including nerve signaling.

Red Light Therapy Research Findings for Peripheral Neuropathy Relief

Numerous recent studies report promising findings regarding the use of red light therapy for reducing neuropathic pain and improving nerve conduction velocity in neuropathy patients. For example:

• A 2017 study published in the journal Lasers in Medical Science found that a series of red light therapy sessions significantly reduced neuropathic pain and associated sensory complaints among test subjects with diabetic neuropathy. Improvements remained 6 months post-treatment.
• Another 2017 clinical trial led by researchers in Brazil examined the effects of red light therapy on neuropathy in 45 patients undergoing chemotherapy. After just 4 treatment sessions, subjects exhibited substantial declines in pain scores by an average of almost 70 percent.
• An additional research paper from 2021 saw patients with diabetic neuropathy receive red light stimulation targeting nerves in the hands and feet. Results showed notable pain relief coupled with increased peripheral nerve conduction velocities.

While more research is still needed, these studies and others demonstrate that red light exposure holds exceptional promise as an alternative therapy for minimizing the most common and debilitating symptoms tied to peripheral neuropathy involving chronic pain, numbness and functional disability.

Red Light Eases Neuropathy Symptoms by Improving Cellular Energy, Blood Flow and Nerve Function

Experts theorize red light therapy alleviates neuropathic complications through a combination of biological mechanisms within nervous system tissues. Treatment is believed to:

• Boost mitochondrial ATP energy production within nerve cells which enables nerves to fire properly
• Increase blood flow to oxygen and nutrient-deprived peripheral nerves
• Stimulate nerve cell structural protein production
• Reduce inflammation-associated nerve pain and damage

Additional changes thought to take place involve faster clearance of damaged nerves, enhanced new neural tissue growth factors, stabilization of nerve cell membranes and increased cellular immunity and antioxidant activity.

In-Office Red Light Therapy Equipment Options for Neuropathy

Those interested in trying red light treatment for their neuropathy symptoms can inquire with providers about the following common in-office devices:

• Red Light Therapy Beds and Booths These full-body units allow patients to lay down or stand inside specialized enclosures outfitted with panels emitting therapeutic red and infrared light programmed for nerve regeneration among other benefits.
• Hand/Foot Units Smaller standalone devices designed specifically to deliver targeted light energy to hands and feet in order to ease neuropathic discomfort and improve circulation to the extremities.
• Red Light Therapy Pads Flexible treatment pads also enabling concentrated red light to be directed to the hands, feet or other peripheral areas experiencing neuropathy for quick sessions.

Professional protocols often involve 8 to 12 minute red light exposures administered 2 to 3 times per week. Improvement of symptoms may manifest in as little as a couple weeks. Maintenance sessions are typically tapered to less frequent intervals once initial treatment goals have been met.

An At-Home DIY Red Light Therapy Option

There are also consumer red light devices available allowing users to undertake home treatment. These units provide red wavelengths and power outputs similar to professional models applied in clinical studies.

Benefits of at-home use include ease, privacy and being able to stick to a consistent neuropathy relief regimen without weekly clinic visits. Measurements should be taken of hands and feet before purchasing so light panels are sized appropriately to illuminate the entire surface areas of these regions.

Avoiding Potential Red Light Therapy Risks and Side Effects

Red light therapy is widely regarded as an extremely safe modality with little downside assuming appropriate protocols are followed. However, it's prudent to be aware of several considerations:

• Light sensitivity and eye conditions may preclude using red light on eyes/head without protective eyewear.
• Heat discomfort can manifest if treatment parameters are not properly calibrated. Mild warmth during use is normal.
• Light can theoretically activate some topical skin products or hair removal chemicals so preparatory cleanings may be suggested.
• Numb skin may not provide warning about excess heat absorption so monitoring devices are built into equipment as a precaution.

Overall however, red light therapy remains incredibly low-risk and worthwhile for neuropathy patients to explore.

Relieve Neuropathy and Get Your Life Back with Red Light

If you or someone you love suffers from peripheral neuropathy leading to chronic discomfort, disability and reduced independence, know there is hope. Red light therapy provides a innovative, non-invasive and scientifically validated means of easing neuropathic pain while restoring nerve functioning and circulation to the extremities.

Don't suffer needlessly or rely solely on medications with troublesome side effects to mask neuropathy symptoms. Discover firsthand how the healing power of red wavelengths may get to the root of your nerve issues so you can get back to fully participating in life again!

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.