Can red light therapy help relieve back pain? Red light therapy (RLT) has been posed as a treatment for almost any ache imaginable – including back pain. Thankfully, there is evidence to suggest that these claims are rooted in truth.
There’s nothing worse than back pain, especially when it starts affecting other parts of your body. The good news? Studies have shown that RLT may have a positive effect on relieving this pain before it can spread further into other muscle groups – and the last thing you want is to be left with chronic neck pain, for example.
In this article, we’ll explore the mechanisms of red light therapy that have been backed by scientific studies and trials to help ease your suffering and reduce the symptoms associated with chronic back pain.
Key Learnings
- Red light therapy may help to reduce or improve the symptoms of back pain.
- Red light therapy can lessen inflammation and promote healing.
- Red light therapy devices should always be used with the advice of a medical professional.
- Red light therapy can be used in conjunction with traditional treatments for back pain relief.
- More research is needed to prove the effectiveness of RLT for all types of back pain.
Does Red Light Therapy Relieve Back Pain?
Short answer, it can help.
Red light therapy, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT) or LED light therapy, has shown a lot of promise in relieving mild to chronic pain from backache.
These studies typically use red light in the form of infrared light (IR) or near-infrared light (NIR) because the red light wavelengths penetrate deep into the skin and activate cellular processes that facilitate healing.
Usually, red light wavelengths between 630 and 700 nanometers (nm) are said to have therapeutic benefits.
However, NIR and IR light may have longer wavelengths:
- IR: 780 – 1,000 nm
- NIR: 800 – 2,500 nm
There was a study performed in 2006 that used an infrared light therapy device for patients with chronic lower back pain.
The results from this study revealed that after seven weeks, the infrared therapy was able to help with pain relief and pain management, effectively lowering their pain from a 6.9 out of 10 to a 3 out of 10 [1].
Although this lends credibility to the belief that RLT can relieve pain in your lower back, there is no consensus on whether it works for all types of back pain. More research is needed to fully understand the ins and outs of RLT for this particular issue.
A good example of a conflicting finding can be found in the 2021 randomized controlled trial by Guimarães et al. This trial found that photobiomodulation (RLT) was not found to be more effective than a placebo treatment for lower back pain relief [2].
How Does It Work?
There are several key benefits to using RLT to treat back pain. These benefits are all standalone advantages of low-level light therapy. Still, it can be deduced that when they work in conjunction with one another, they can effectively mitigate the symptoms of chronic back pain.
Red light therapy may help contribute to back pain relief by working on several other functions and parts of the body and may include:
Reduces Inflammation
In some cases, back pain may be caused by inflammation. Red light therapy has been praised for its anti-inflammatory properties. The therapy triggers a cellular response and encourages the production of anti-inflammatory compounds that combat swelling and pain.
RLT causes a biochemical reaction in our cells, stimulating the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This boosts our antioxidant defenses and reduces anti-inflammatory markers in our bodies to effectively treat inflammation [3].
Decreases Prostaglandin E2 Levels
Prostaglandin E2 or PGE2 is often released when your body’s natural inflammatory response to pain kicks in. In cases of chronic pain, including in the back, you may have elevated levels of PGE2. In turn, the pain may feel worse and almost debilitating.
A 2020 study on photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) investigated the impact of PGE2 in patients with non-specific pain in the lower back.
The results showed that PBMT effectively decreased the level of PGE2 in the patients’ blood, suggesting that PBMT may be helpful for chronic pain thanks to its analgesic effects [4].
By changing the PGE2 levels, PBMT helps to reduce inflammation and, therefore, the pain intensity in the back.
Boosts Tissue Repair & Healing
When specific wavelengths of light penetrate the skin, they stimulate biochemical processes within the mitochondria, which boosts the cellular energy that is needed to repair tissue damage. This means that it increases the chances of a speedier recovery.
But why is this relevant?
Back pain can sometimes originate from muscle injuries like strains or microtears. Fortunately, red light therapy helps to boost wound healing and tissue repair to address the underlying cause of the pain [5].
Activates Opioid Receptors
LED light therapy can activate the peripheral opioid receptors and provide you with localized pain relief [6]. This is because these receptors are part of the body’s natural pain control system.
When exposed to red light, these receptors activate, triggering other neurochemical events that block pain signals and offer immediate relief.
As an interesting side note, when researchers used naloxone (a compound that “blocks” opioid receptors from working), the pain-relieving effects of RLT were stopped [6].
How To Use Red Light Therapy For Back Pain
Generally, near-infrared light therapy devices are safe to use. However, it’s essential that you understand how to use these devices to complement other treatments (like medication or physiotherapy) rather than replace them.
Although there are proven benefits to red light therapy, it’s more often used to treat symptoms. It’s not necessarily a preventive or curative treatment option to manage pain.
If you want to use an RLT device at home to alleviate muscle pain in your back, it’s best to know how to use it. Of course, the first thing you’ll need to do is consult your doctor to discuss your treatment plan.
Once you’ve worked out a treatment schedule (including frequency and session length), you can follow these guidelines to use red light therapy effectively:
- Choose the right device: Ideally, you’ll want to pick an RLT device that uses clinical-grade LEDs. You should also choose a device that is specifically designed to suit your needs. For example, a red light therapy belt that secures around your back may be better for muscle or joint pain than RLT panels or wands.
- Position the device correctly: Next, ensure that you place the device directly against the affected area of your back. Targeting a more specific area can also help to produce more efficient results.
- Stick to recommended treatment times: Most red light therapy sessions last between 5 and 20 minutes. However, your doctor may recommend longer or shorter treatment times to produce your desired results. You should always stick to the recommended times and frequencies that are outlined in the manufacturer’s guide for your specific device.
- Stay consistent: For the best results, you’ll need to use your RLT device regularly. Generally, you’ll need to use it several times a week (or even daily) to feel the effects of the therapy. Additionally, you’ll need to keep up with these treatments to continue to reap the benefits of red light therapy for any muscle or joint pain in your back.
- Use the device after physical activity: If you suffer from back pain after physical activity or exercise, it’s best to use your infrared light device as part of your cool-down routine. Applying red light therapy for 10 to 20 minutes after your exercise session can help speed up the recovery process and ease sore muscles.
How Long Does It Take For Red Light Therapy To Work For Back Pain?
The amount of time it takes for RLT to alleviate pain in your back usually depends on how severe the condition is.
While some people with mild aches and pains may find relief after a few days or weeks of RLT, others may need to use it in conjunction with other treatments for extended periods. In some cases, you may need to continually use RLT to manage pain symptoms.
Does Red Light Therapy Get Rid Of Inflammation In The Back?
Red light therapy is known to reduce inflammation in the back. It does this by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are both known inflammatory compounds. It also stimulates cellular responses that release nitric oxide. The area then benefits from increased blood flow which can aid in the repair of the cells within the back.
Because of this, the inflammatory immune response that may be causing your pain should calm down and help to heal your back more quickly.
It’s important to remember that while some inflammation is normal when you’re recovering from an injury, RLT helps reduce chronic or acute inflammation.
Where Should I Not Use Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is generally safe for full-body use. However, it’s crucial that you consult with your doctor before starting any new therapy regimes. There are certain groups – such as people who use photosensitizing medications – that may not be able to use RLT to eliminate their back pain. So, if you want to be sure, it’s always best to seek out proper medical advice beforehand.
Final Thoughts
Red light therapy is an extremely promising, non-invasive way to alleviate back pain from deep within the muscle tissue. But, while there is scientific evidence that supports its benefits in this area, there are some studies that claim to have seen no benefit to RLT for back pain management. For this reason, it may be better used as a complementary therapy rather than a primary treatment for this complaint.
We’d love to know what you think about red light therapy and its use for relieving back aches. Have you used it? Or do you have any questions about how RLT could help you? Be sure to leave a comment below.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2539004/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33449509/
- https://www.aimspress.com/article/10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32330315/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4148276/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8277709/