The Health Benefits of Infrared Light Therapy

Infrared light therapy, also known as near-infrared therapy or photobiomodulation, is gaining recognition for its potential health and wellness benefits. 

As a non-invasive treatment, near-infrared light therapy involves exposing the body to low levels of red and infrared light emitted from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers. 

But how does it work, and what are some of the evidence-based benefits? Let’s take a closer look.  

How It Works

Does near infrared light therapy work? Evidence suggests it does. According to evidence, near-infrared light therapy works. Infrared light from 600-1000 nanometers can penetrate deep into body tissues, where it is absorbed in cells. This stimulates an enzymatic cascade that increases mitochondrial respiration and ATP (energy) production in cells. More cellular energy means tissues can better function. The light also stimulates healing and repair processes in damaged cells. These effects lead to the long list of benefits that current research is now revealing.

Decreased Inflammation

Chronic, systemic inflammation is at the root of most modern diseases. By stimulating cell repair and reducing oxidative stress, infrared therapy powerfully decreases inflammation levels throughout the body. Studies demonstrate its significant anti-inflammatory effects which have been shown to benefit conditions from autoimmune disorders to heart disease. 

Increased Blood Flow

By enhancing the production of nitric oxide, infrared light improves blood flow. This has positive implications for diabetes and high blood pressure, for example. Boosted circulation also accelerates healing in damaged muscle and tissue due to increased oxygen and nutrients reaching those regions.

Wound, Bone, and Nerve Healing  

Peer-reviewed research confirms that infrared therapy accelerates wound healing, including after surgery. The same regenerating effects also apply to bone fractures and nerve damage. Scientific studies show improved bone repair in animals, and nerves regenerate faster thanks to laser therapy. 

Skin Health and Collagen Production  

Infrared light is able to deeply penetrate skin tissue and stimulate fibroblasts which create collagen. By boosting collagen production, skin becomes plumper and less wrinkled. LED light therapy is now commonly used to achieve anti-aging benefits for the skin. The collagen-boosting effects also assist with healing wounds and scars.

Muscle Recovery and Performance  

The high energy ATP producing effects infrared light has on cells allow muscle tissues to repair faster. Multiple studies confirm that it relieves muscle soreness and damage in athletes when applied before and after training. Enhanced muscle recovery also equates to increased athletic performance.

Easing of Chronic Pain

The powerful anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerating benefits of infrared therapy have been shown effective at easing all kinds of chronic pain conditions. From arthritis to back pain and fibromyalgia, thousands of published studies prove photobiomodulation therapy offers a promising, side effect free solution for pain relief.

The future for infrared-based photobiomodulation therapy is very bright as both scientific studies and real-world usage continue yielding impressive health benefits. From anti-aging skin treatments to increased athletic performance and accelerated injury healing, it seems red and infrared light therapy lives up to the hype. Give it a try yourself and see what a little light can do!

Hey, this is from Aaron, gonna just use a paragraph style edit since I have some high level changes in mind. So the main thing is that we want to move to using the term photobiomodulation as a company to describe our approach. With this in mind, we can have articles that use the term infrared light therapy but should then try and use photobiomodulation throughout the content of the article. Although if this is necessary for SEO reasons then sure, I don’t know how that stuff works. Small edits I’ve put into comments on the respective things to change. Also, blog links don’t seem to be working, could be a chicken/egg problem.

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