Red Light Therapy

In pain management massage, I use red light therapy (RLT) to help reduce inflammation, lower pain, reduce anxiety, and promote a feeling of peace. When used in combination with my methods backed by pain neuroscience, my clients experience transformative results. What does it feel like? RLT mostly feels warm and relaxing. It encourages a peaceful stillness that prompts you to take a breath and breathe. My clients often describe it as a gentle reprieve that quickly eases their pain.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses near-infrared light to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health. The light penetrates the skin, stimulating cellular energy production (ATP) in mitochondria, thereby enhancing tissue repair, reducing pain, and boosting collagen production. It’s commonly used for skin rejuvenation, wound healing, joint pain, and muscle recovery, using wavelengths between 600-850 nm.

Red Light Therapy and Pain Management

How Is RLT Used In A Pain Management Massage

I prefer to begin a pain management massage with red light therapy because it helps my clients ease into a state of peace, ensures the oil doesn’t interfere with light absorption, and allows me to start the session with anxiety-reducing techniques. If I have used oil during your session, and RLT would be better suited post-treatment, I will remove any residual oil with a hot, wet towel.

Primary Benefits of Red Light Therapy

  • Anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • Skin Health
  • Helps improve athletic performance and exercise recovery.
  • Encourages improved wound recovery.
  • Helps with pain management.
  • Encourages improved sleep quality and rhythm regulation.

How Did I Discover RLT?

Years ago, I had a pinched nerve in my neck and shoulder, and the pain was nearly intolerable. On the 10-point pain scale, I would easily rate my discomfort at 8. My significant other at the time asked me if I wanted to try her red light device. At first, I was reluctant, but after considering her feelings, I decided to let her use it on me, so she could express her care and love for me. I was convinced it was going to do nothing, but in twenty minutes, my eight-level pain became a zero. A device I didn’t believe in, without any physical contact, relieved me of all of my pinched nerve pain. I was awestruck by the experience and sought to learn more about it.

RLT & Pain Management Massage

Why do I prefer to use red light therapy at the beginning of a pain management massage? There are two primary reasons: some oils interfere with the light, reducing the treatment’s benefits, and it creates an opportunity to use stress-reducing techniques that can help lower your anxiety level. This is important because anxiety magnifies your perception of pain, so if we can reduce it, it can turn down the volume of your pain.

Want To Learn More?

RLT Contraindications: This article explores potential contraindications.

Best Serums for RLT: This article explores the best serums and vitamins to use alongside RLT.

RLT for Lymphedema: This article explores whether red light therapy may be valuable to those with lymphedema.

RLT Research Studies: This page is an extensive list of research studies about red light.