Written by Jessi Cottrell, BSN, RN
Quickly becoming a popular treatment - for everything from pain reduction, inflammation mitigation, and improved recovery to anti-aging, and energy enhancement- infrared light therapy already has hundreds of studies to back up its amazing efficacy. While infrared light therapy is often used in physical therapy clinics, spas, and other medical and aesthetic operations, the many benefits of this therapy can now be enjoyed in the comfort of your home with your own infrared light therapy device. Helping hundreds of thousands of people every day, we invite you to read on to learn more about how these devices can help you and your loved ones as well!
Yes! Infrared light therapy is a safe and effective method to reduce pain and treat a wide array of conditions. Numerous studies have proven infrared can help manage multiple conditions, such as reducing both chronic and acute inflammation, boosting circulation, and speeding up the healing process following surgery or injury.
Neither red light nor infrared is better than the other; it’s just that red light doesn’t penetrate as deeply as infrared. Red light therapy works primarily on the skin’s surface while infrared penetrates deeper into the body, but combining both red light and infrared can be more effective than just using one or the other. Technically, both infrared and red light are in the same category of invisible infrared wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum - measured in nanometers, the higher the wavelength of light, the deeper this healing light penetrates into the body.
The benefits of infrared light therapy are wide and varied, with this unique therapy often used in the fields of medicine, autoimmunity, sports training, dentistry, and even veterinary medicine. Safe and natural, infrared light therapy promotes pain relief, detoxification, and relaxation while it also improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and boosts metabolism. From clearing skin disorders and anti-aging benefits to treating cancer and diabetes, infrared light therapy has many beneficial roles for the human body.
Yes, infrared light works for pain that’s caused by many different conditions, such as sciatica, fibromyalgia, back pain, tendonitis, bursitis, neuropathy, and many more. Non-invasive, drug-free, and highly effective at mitigating inflammation, studies have demonstrated that infrared light therapy is ideal for people living with chronic nerve or muscle pain, as well as being an effective treatment for acute pain conditions.
Although infrared light therapy is considered to be one of the safest, natural treatments with little to no harmful side effects, some rare adverse reactions can happen. Some users have reported irritability, eye strain, headaches, temporary reddening of the skin, and sleep disturbances when using this therapy. Talking to your doctor and determining the best dose and timing can help to prevent the occurrence of these unwanted secondary effects.
Yes, infrared light improves blood flow, streaming nutrients and oxygen to the cells, along with stimulating nitric oxide in the blood vessels. This causes the vessel walls to relax, allowing more blood flow and enhancing overall circulation. Studies have shown that infrared light is especially beneficial for people with reduced circulation, like diabetes patients undergoing hemodialysis, helping to increase blood flow in the feet.
No, you can’t overdo infrared light therapy, according to most experts in the field. Tested in hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical trials, infrared light therapy is safe and well-tolerated. But because the cells of our bodies can only absorb so much light at any given time, overusing this therapy won’t improve results, either.
Yes, you will need protective goggles for red light therapy if your eyes are close to the light source, if the red or near-infrared light is exceptionally powerful, or if the sessions are longer than 20 minutes. While some near-red infrared wavelengths between 780 nm and 830 nm are used to benefit various eye conditions, infrared wavelengths over 850 nm have been demonstrated to contribute to cataract development over long and direct exposure.
Yes, infrared light can penetrate through clothing and bandages, especially with loose-fitting low-density fabrics. It’s important to note that any clothing can block some of the light force, so most experts recommend using infrared light therapy directly on the skin to reap optimal results.
It’s important to choose an infrared light therapy device that offers safe wavelength ranges to protect users from harm, as well as ensure the range is high enough to provide actual healing results. Studies show that 630 nm to 660 nm of red light and 810 nm to 950 nm of infrared light yield the most effective benefits for humans.
Choosing an infrared light therapy device that has a higher power output increases the intensity and amount of light photons that can penetrate deeply into the body. Measured in milliwatts per square inch centimeter (mW/cm2), this power output is also referred to as irradiance. Two infrared light therapy devices that deliver the same wavelengths will differ greatly in therapy results if one of those devices has a higher irradiance factor.
The size of your tool depends on the area you are treating. If you plan to treat a large body area, it’s best to use a large panel or bed to ensure full coverage. Small red light therapy devices are ideal for treating small, targeted pain.
Most quality infrared light therapy devices offer some kind of warranty of at least one year. This gives you plenty of time to determine if it’s working correctly and return it if it’s not. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on the LED bulbs, while others offer longer warranties on the equipment.
Determining what conditions you want to use the infrared light therapy for and where you want to use it will help you narrow the options that are best for your unique requirements. In our opinion, portable models are a good choice for people who want to take it along for therapy wherever they go, while light therapy panels & beds are more suited for those who seek therapy at home.
We picked the Medlight 630 Pro Hand Held Red Light Therapy device from Green Science & Innovations for our review as the best portable infrared light therapy option. This FDA-approved OTC Class II medical device is super lightweight and ergonomically designed for easier holding that won’t fatigue the user. You also won’t need any batteries or have to worry about losing power, as it can plug into any 110/220 v AC power supply and also comes with a 12 v DC car adapter so you can take it anywhere for therapy everywhere.
As a non-invasive, over-the-counter alternative to pain-relieving drugs, the Medlight 630 Pro offers effective relief and an increased range of motion for a wide range of conditions, such as joint pain and tight muscles. Its integrated spacer ring ensures the optimal distance for the most effective treatment outcomes.
Added to our review as being the best bed for full-body immersion, welcome the Prism Light Pod!
Light therapy beds are mostly purchased by businesses such as spas and gyms, but some users prefer red light therapy beds for their personal home use. While it is an investment, there are a lot of perks.
The Prism Light Pod covers the entire length of the body and can be operated independently using a single button press. The system helps with pain relief, anti-aging, and wound healing, making it a versatile tool for addressing a wide range of health concerns. The device is fully automated, with each 15-minute session including six customized settings that can be tailored to individual needs. The Prism Light Pod's patented power distribution technology allows it to be powered by a standard 110V electrical power supply.
Additionally, each purchase includes a Pro-Partner Joint Marketing Program that helps business owners build a successful red light therapy specialization for their individual businesses. Overall, the Prism Light Pod offers a powerful and effective solution for anyone looking to improve their health and well-being.
The HGPRO300 Red Light Therapy Panel by Hooga Health is a highly effective and affordable device that delivers red and near-infrared light therapy for various health benefits. With 60 dual-chip LEDs, it provides powerful and energy-efficient full-body therapy that can be used for anti-aging, pain relief, improved sleep, and athletic performance. The panel is also incredibly easy to use, with a simple on/off switch. Additionally, there are switches for red and near-infrared light, so you can customize your treatment.
The device can be connected to other panels in the HGPRO series to create larger, customized setups. This is ideal if you want to try red light therapy but you are not ready to invest too much at the beginning.
The adjustable stand included with the device further enhances its convenience and versatility, allowing for use in any space. The built-in cooling fan also ensures that the device remains comfortable to use, even during extended sessions.
Selected as the best handheld light therapy device for concentrated coverage, the dpl Clinical Handheld Light Therapy device from the esteemed LED Technologies is also one of the most affordable ways to start enjoying the many benefits of light therapy.
This device offers the same medical-grade LED technology utilized by professionals, athletes, and physicians. This FDA-cleared, OTC Class II device delivers safe, but powerful light therapy to relieve pain, inflammation, and discomfort from injuries, post-surgery, and chronic medical conditions, like arthritis.
Highlighting a larger head than other handheld light devices, this handheld can conveniently cover more space on the body in a shorter amount of time. Often used to expedite recovery after a workout, this lightweight light therapy device is also simple to use and has no complicated timers or mechanisms.
Making our review under the best wearable light therapy device, the dpl Deep Penetrating Infrared FlexPad Light Therapy System by LED Technologies brings versatile, flexible treatment for any body area. Constructed with soft, comforting neoprene that easily conforms to various body parts, the FlexPad system also uses adjustable straps for stay-in-place light therapy that’s also conveniently hands-free.
This FDA-cleared, OTC, Class II medical device is very different from a conventional heating pad; its targeted light is not just warming and comforting, but also helps to heal the root causes of pain and inflammation.
The cordless operation of the innovative FlexPad makes it highly portable and simple to wear while you’re on the go. When fully charged, its rechargeable battery typically allows 3 full 20-minute treatments. It also comes with a USB power adapter so you can charge it in the car or while traveling.
Allowing people to harness the benefits of the sun without harmful ultraviolet exposure, infrared light therapy is a safe and effective healing modality that is drug-free, non-invasive, and without adverse side effects. Effective for a wide range of mental and physical applications, it relieves both pain and inflammation, boosts circulation, and promotes healing and faster recovery.
Using the same technology utilized in professional infrared light therapy that’s offered by physical therapy clinics, spas, and other healthcare operations, many infrared light therapy devices are now available for safe and comfortable use at home. The devices that made our list were chosen as the best for 5 specific purposes, enabling potential users to make the best decision as to what kind of device meets their unique needs.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about this innovative therapy and we invite you to check out all of the light therapy devices we offer from superior quality manufacturers. Be sure to look through our other helpful articles on our Caregiver University blog as well.
Jessi Cottrell is a Registered Nurse, copywriter, mother, and avid book reader. Her nurse background includes emergency medicine, psych & trauma, orthopedic surgery, addiction detox & rehabilitation, and school nursing. She has a passion for finding non-pharmacological methods to treat pain. This passion is fueled by her experience in addiction medicine as well as her own experiences with pain management after various surgeries.
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