Pain, inflammation and light
Pain is something that can be incredibly disabling, especially if it is chronic. Much also suggests that the longer the pain exists, the trickier it is to treat. Nibbling on painkillers for long periods is rarely a solution either, as the drugs can lower the pain threshold and make it even more difficult to relieve the pain. New findings suggest that light therapy can be a side-effect-free alternative or complement to other pain-relieving treatments. It's about Red Light Therapy (RLT)!
The underlying causes of pain can be very different, from autoimmune elements where the body attacks itself to underlying injuries that remind themselves. Some people firmly claim that psychological pressure in their lives has a direct connection to various pain conditions such as headaches, backaches, aching pain in joints or sore necks. Regardless of the cause, they must be combated and this may involve stress management, treatment of the disease that causes the pain or using technology that reduces the load on the part of the body that hurts.
Pain and aches have a close relationship with inflammation. Inflammations can be both good and bad. Inflammatory responses are what keep us healthy if we get an infection. But inflammation is also something that wears out the body and causes us to age prematurely, and increase the risk of cancer, so it is important to have a balance between these processes. Inflammation and pain can also influence each other by one keeping the other going. Pain can thus drive inflammation and vice versa. Therefore, the strategies are often to treat pain by suppressing inflammatory processes with drugs and various therapies.
Inflammation and pain can be greatly influenced by lifestyle. What we eat and don't eat can affect a lot in certain contexts. Fruits, berries, vegetables, legumes, F-fibres in general, many spices such as (turmeric and ginger are among the most effective), omega-3 and nutrients such as vitamin D, selenium and magnesium can all help reduce inflammation. Many supplements such as ginseng, lipoic acid and mushroom extracts can also do so. Exercise in the right doses as well as enough sleep and minimizing stress are also important factors in keeping the inflammatory processes down.
Something that also affects inflammation and pain is light. Light affects us in so many ways. Among other things, by stimulating mechanisms that repair our DNA and light falling into the eyes affects our mental well-being and alertness. In addition, light is a necessary factor for the body to form vitamin D. Light can also activate a range of anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
However, the downside of too much sunlight is that it damages the skin and causes it to age prematurely. An increased risk of skin cancer is also a consequence of too much sunbathing. One way to pick the icing on the cake is light sources without the harmful UV rays, and here LED lights have proven to be very suitable. There is also a big difference between different wavelengths of light when it comes to therapeutic effects on the skin. The pigment melanin, which makes us tan in summer, and the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in the blood are examples of substances that absorb light of certain wavelengths. This means that only certain wavelengths have the ability to reach through the skin. These wavelengths are invisible infrared light (NIR) and visible red light. Studies on light bulbs have shown good effects on inflammation and pain and the beauty is that 5-15 minutes per day is enough to achieve maximum therapeutic effect. The higher the power of the lamp, the shorter the treatment time needed. So-called RLT (red light therapy) is thus a good complement to other lifestyle choices that contribute to better health with less pain and inflammation. Another word that is usually used for this type of treatment is photobiomodulation or photobiomodulation in English. A very good thing about this technology is that it is affordable, safe and can be used at home by anyone. When you are looking for a lamp for personal use, it is important that it meets all the requirements, both technical and safety-wise, and therefore it is smart to buy one in the EU even if they are manufactured in another part of the world. The regulations for technical products are very strict within the EU and the risk of getting a lamp that does not live up to its promise is small. A high power, preferably at least 1000W is recommended if you illuminate large parts of your body for a systemic effect, as well as that the lamp is large enough to cover at least half of your body. Then you can sit and drink your morning coffee and enjoy the warm red rays while your whole system comes to life. Smaller handheld lights for local use can also be effective, especially for local treatment of pain and inflammation, but the same advice applies that the higher the power, the shorter the treatment time.
Author: Martin Brunnberg
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