Infrared Hand Therapy: A Complete Guide to Healing Hands with Red Light
If your hands are overworked, injured, or affected by arthritis, infrared light therapy may be able to help. Keep reading to learn all about using red light to improve hand health and function.
What is Infrared Light Therapy?
Infrared light is part of the light spectrum we can't see with the naked eye. It's categorized into near, mid, and far infrared wavelengths:
- Near infrared light penetrates superficial tissue and boosts cellular function.
- Mid infrared penetrates deeper and may stimulate circulation.
- Far infrared penetrates deepest, causing mild heating that relaxes muscles.
Infrared light therapy devices emit wavelengths in the near and mid ranges. The light delivers energy in the form of photons, which are absorbed by cells. This energizes the cells and stimulates healing processes.
Benefits of Infrared Therapy for Hands
Targeted red light therapy on the hands has a range of potential benefits, including:
Relieves Pain and Stiffness
The light stimulates cells to produce more ATP, your body's energy source. This provides natural pain relief, especially helpful for hand and wrist arthritis. The mild heating effect also relaxes stiff, sore muscles and joints in the hands and fingers.
Reduces Inflammation
Infrared light triggers the release of anti-inflammatory compounds that speed up recovery from injuries, overuse, and conditions like arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Increases Blood Circulation
The light boosts blood flow to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to heal damaged tissue in hands and fingers. Improved circulation also helps reduce swelling.
Promotes Tissue Repair
Infrared stimulates cells to regenerate faster. This facilitates healing of wounds, cuts, and injuries of the hands. It also helps repair overworked muscles and joints.
Improves Grip Strength
Red light can help improve muscle strength and function in the hands and fingers through its effects on cellular energy and tissue repair. This leads to better overall grip strength.
Effectiveness for Common Hand Problems
Some research studies support using red light therapy for the following hand conditions:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Light therapy improved hand pain, numbness, and grip strength compared to placebo in a study of carpal tunnel patients. The light's anti-inflammatory effects help reduce swelling and pressure on the median nerve.
Trigger Finger
In a study on trigger finger patients, those receiving infrared light therapy plus exercise had greater improvements in finger movement and reduction of trigger events compared to exercise alone.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Infrared light reduced hand pain, morning stiffness, and swelling in people with rheumatoid arthritis affecting the hands and wrists in clinical studies.
Healing Fractures
An animal study found far infrared light therapy hastened the healing process for fractures and stimulated the regeneration of bone, ligament, and cartilage tissues.
What to Expect During Treatment
A typical infrared hand therapy session involves sitting beside a tabletop device with panels emitting the beneficial wavelengths of light. Simply place your hands on or near the panels for the treatment. Recommended distances range based on panel strength and irradiance.
During the session the light will penetrate your skin and tissues to start improving cellular function. You should not feel any discomfort. Session times usually range from 10-30 minutes depending on the condition being treated.
Treatments are often scheduled a few times per week for several weeks. Maintenance sessions can then continue 1-2 times per month. Improvements are often felt after a handful of sessions, though severe conditions may take longer.
At-Home Hand Therapy Devices
Infrared treatment systems designed specifically for hands are available for home use. This allows for convenient regular treatments.
Features to Look For
- Near infrared wavelengths of 600-1000 nm
- Hand pad secures hands in place during treatment
- Coverage for whole hand including fingers
- Automatic shut off timer
- Zero EMF emissions
Benefits of At-Home Use
- Saves trips to therapy office
- Allows for more frequent treatments
- Can treat acute hand pain and injury immediately
- Often more affordable than ongoing professional treatments
Home systems provide similar benefits to professional devices when used properly. Consult your doctor before starting use.
Precautions and Considerations
Infrared light therapy is very safe, with minimal side effects. However, be sure to consider these factors before starting treatment:
- Check with your doctor about any medical conditions or medications that could impact safety/effectiveness.
- Protect eyes by wearing provided safety goggles.
- Clean hands thoroughly before sessions to prevent spreading infections.
- Avoid treatments if you are pregnant until cleared by your OB-GYN.
- Stop using if skin becomes irritated and use lower intensities.
Targeted infrared therapy is not the same as tanning beds or UV therapy, which emit harmful radiation. Infrared devices filter out these and other potentially damaging wavelengths while only emitting beneficial light.
The Takeaway
Non-invasive infrared light therapy is emerging as an effective treatment for various hand conditions, from overuse injuries and arthritis to post-fracture healing. The light's anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerating effects can reduce hand pain and stiffness, improve grip strength and finger mobility, and accelerate recovery.
In-office sessions from a trained provider allow for proper therapeutic use. But quality at-home devices provide the convenience of frequent treatments. Consider trying infrared therapy alongside other treatments to relieve hand discomfort and get your hands functioning at their best.
FAQs
Is infrared light therapy FDA approved?
Yes, infrared light therapy devices have received FDA clearance for treating pain and inflammation, wound healing, and other applications. Red light therapy products meet FDA safety standards.
How long until I notice results?
Most people notice some improvement after 3-6 sessions, but lasting relief of chronic hand problems usually requires 2-3 months of consistent treatments. Acute injuries may resolve faster.
Is infrared therapy covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage depends on your plan and diagnosis. Some plans may cover red light therapy prescribed by a doctor for arthritis, injuries, or chronic pain. At-home devices are generally not covered.
Can I do other activities during treatments?
Yes, you can read, work on a laptop, watch TV, etc. while treating your hands. Just keep them positioned correctly on the device with goggles on.
Are there any side effects or risks?
Infrared therapy is very safe. Mild redness or soreness after the first few sessions can occur but usually goes away. Protect eyes and avoid treatments if pregnant until approved by an OB-GYN.
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.
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