Red Light Therapy for Fibromyalgia (Maximum Symptom Reduction)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing widespread pain, fatigue, and a host of other debilitating symptoms.

While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, recent advancements in natural therapies, such as red light therapy, have shown promise in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

To achieve maximum symptom reduction with LED light, use a strong handheld device on multiple pain points. You can add a panel for full-body, systemic inflammation relief.

In this article, we’ll explore the potential benefits of red light therapy for fibromyalgia and how this innovative treatment offers hope to those struggling with this complex disorder.

Takeaways:

• Red light therapy reduces inflammation and pain sensitivity and promotes healing circulation.
• It is a proven way to reduce pain in neuropathy, arthritis, and soft tissue.
• It is safe, powerful, and available at home without a prescription.
• Studies for its use in fibromyalgia are positive but need more confirmation.

What is Red Light Therapy for Fibromyalgia?

Red light therapy harnesses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to promote healing and wellness. It reduces inflammation, blocks pain signals, and increases circulation, all of which reduce fibromyalgia symptoms.

The word “red” in the name is just a shortcut. The treatment uses wavelengths from all visible and infrared light.

It is also known as LED Light Therapy, Infrared Therapy, and Photobiomodulation. Although it has many names, it works the same way.

It is a proven way to reduce pain in neuropathy, arthritis, and soft tissue.

Unlike UV rays or intense heat treatments, this therapy uses gentle light penetrating the skin and underlying tissues without causing damage.

The key to red light therapy is its interaction with our cells, particularly the mitochondria – often called the cell’s powerhouses. When exposed to red and near-infrared light, these mitochondria are stimulated to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), boosting cellular energy production.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Pain Relief

I’ve seen firsthand how this increased cellular energy can lead to noticeable improvements in overall well-being. As a member of pain relief support groups, I have chatted with many people whose lives are transformed by this therapy.

Many report feeling more energized after LED light treatment. It’s not an immediate, caffeine-like jolt but rather a gradual increase in vitality that builds over time.

Fibromyalgia Management (Inflammation)

One of the most promising aspects of red light treatment for fibromyalgia management is its potential to reduce inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is at the root of many health issues, from joint pain to skin conditions. Red light therapy offers a non-pharmaceutical approach to managing these problems by modulating the body’s inflammatory response.

My Experience

I’ve experienced significant acute and chronic pain reduction in my lower back and arthritic knee. I combined LED sessions with physical therapy (strengthening, stretching, and interventions).

I used a handheld therapeutic device for my healing.

I was eight years into a disintegrating knee when I learned how to use red light therapy at home. It brought my knee recovery from 70 to 95 out of 100. I am no longer in pain unless I push too hard.

For example, two weeks ago, I was feeling overconfident about my pain relief, so I tried (against the orders of my former physical therapists) the leg press machine. My knee rejected the exercise and blew up, even setting the machine to a low resistance.

I used light and ice therapy to reduce the acute injury and stopped the use of that exercise equipment.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy (to Help Fibromyalgia)

Fibromyalgia involves inflammation, so it’s wonderful that LED therapy reduces pain partly through reduced inflammation.

It also blunts the pain signal through COX-2 enzyme inhibition. This is what NSAIDs like Ibuprofen do as well.

For healing, the therapy creates nitric oxide that opens the blood vessels. The extra circulation it brings to the area helps heal and rebuild tissue.

It’s worth noting that the depth of light penetration varies depending on the wavelength used. Red light (typically around 660nm) penetrates the skin to a depth of about 1.5-1.8 mm, making it effective for skin-related issues and superficial tissues.

Near-infrared light (usually around 800-850 nm) can reach 2.3-2.4 mm, potentially benefiting muscles, joints, and bones.

Preferred Vendors and Expectations

The effects of LED light treatment aren’t limited to energy production and pain relief. Research suggests it may stimulate collagen production, promote wound healing, and even help with hair regrowth. It’s very popular for facial rejuvenation.

One of the advantages of LED light therapy is its relative safety and lack of significant side effects when used correctly. Many copycat companies make devices without understanding the underlying science. Use preferred vendors to shop for your device safely.

As with any treatment, it’s essential to have realistic expectations. LED light treatment isn’t a magic cure-all but a tool that can complement other healthy lifestyle choices. If I were putting together a treatment plan for my fibromyalgia pain management, I would include clean eating, gentle exercise, and stress management techniques.

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Fibromyalgia Pain

Recent research has shed light on the potential of LED light therapy as a treatment for fibromyalgia. Several studies have demonstrated promising results, warranting further investigation into this non-invasive approach.

2023 Light and Static Magnetic Field Fibromyalgia Study

In 2023, researchers conducted a study[1] on 90 women with fibromyalgia. They divided the participants into two groups of 45 each. One group received photobiomodulation (red light therapy) and a static magnetic field, while the other group got a fake treatment (placebo).

The treatment group received therapy with 905 nm, 850 nm, and 630 nm (infrared and red) light. It also included a static magnetic field of 110 millitesla (mT). A static magnetic (electrostatic) field is an unmoving charge. It causes static shocks (when you hold the metal banister after wearing slippers on a carpet in winter) and lightning bolts.

The researchers applied this treatment to painful areas on the body for 120 seconds per spot. Participants had nine treatment sessions over three weeks.

Subjects experienced a 53% decrease in pain.

At the start of the study, the treatment group reported an average pain level of 80.64 out of 100. After treatment, their pain decreased to 37.80, which is about a 53% reduction. Four weeks later, their pain was at 34.47, about a 57% reduction from the start.

2002 Light As Treatment for Fibromyalgia Symptoms Study

A 2002 study investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy on fibromyalgia symptoms, particularly pain. The research involved 75 subjects divided into three equal groups of 25: one receiving active laser treatment, another placebo laser, and the third amitriptyline medication.

The laser group predominantly consisted of female participants, with 20 out of 25 (80%) women. This gender distribution is typical in fibromyalgia research due to the condition’s higher prevalence among females.

Subjects experienced a 59.2% decrease in pain severity following the low-level laser therapy intervention.

Pain intensity was measured on a scale of 0 to 4, with 4 representing the most severe pain. Before treatment, the laser group reported an average pain score of 3.04. After two weeks of daily laser treatments, the group’s mean pain score decreased to 1.24. This change represents a 59.2% reduction in reported pain intensity.

The post-treatment pain level equates to 40.8% of the baseline. In other words, subjects experienced a 59.2% decrease in pain severity following the low-level laser therapy intervention.

These findings suggest that low-level laser therapy may be an effective modality for pain reduction in fibromyalgia patients. However, it’s important to note that this study’s sample size was relatively small, and further research with larger cohorts would be beneficial to confirm the efficacy of this treatment approach for the broader fibromyalgia population.

2006 Fibromyalgia Treatment Study

In a 2006 study published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, researchers investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (red light therapy) for fibromyalgia syndrome.

The treatment group had an 8.6% drop in tender points after treatment. Its members were 14.7% less stiff in the morning. They reported a 5.3% reduction in the negative effects of fibromyalgia on their lives and a 10.2% improvement in their disease symptom severity.

This randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 32 female patients aged 26-47 with fibromyalgia, as diagnosed by the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria.

The study population was divided into two groups of 16 participants each. The treatment group received treatment with 830 nm infrared light on multiple tender points, and the control group received a placebo.

Researchers assessed several clinical parameters at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at a six-month follow-up. These measures included the number of tender points, morning stiffness, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores, and total myalgia scores.

The treatment group had an 8.6% drop in tender points after treatment. Its members were 14.7% less stiff in the morning. They reported a 5.3% reduction in the negative effects of fibromyalgia on their lives and a 10.2% improvement in their disease symptom severity.

How Red Light Therapy Works for Fibromyalgia

Red light treatment stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines while suppressing pro-inflammatory ones. Since reducing inflammation also reduces pain, this is probably one of the primary reasons light helps people with fibromyalgia.

The light also increases circulation and angiogenesis, forming new blood vessels. This improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to affected tissues, potentially alleviating some muscular pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia.

Perhaps most intriguing is the effect on mitochondrial function.

Recent research has linked fibromyalgia to mitochondrial dysfunction, which may contribute to patients’ fatigue and pain.

Red and infrared therapy has been shown to enhance mitochondrial energy production by reviving dormant proteins in the electron transport chain, the activity responsible for making biological batteries (adenosine triphosphate).

This boost in cellular energy metabolism could address one of the underlying factors in fibromyalgia symptoms.

Red Light Therapy vs. Fibromyalgia Treatments

Unlike pharmacological interventions such as pregabalin or duloxetine, LED light treatment has not been associated with significant side effects in the literature. This favorable safety profile makes it an attractive area for further research, particularly for patients sensitive to medication side effects.

The tradeoff is that LED light treatment takes longer to work. You might be lucky enough to feel relief after the first session, as many do. However, some users can take a few weeks of daily treatment.

Compared to exercise therapy, LED light treatment is less physically demanding. Using a light is easier, so you’re more likely to comply with the treatment schedule. On the other hand, exercise therapy probably has significant effects that the light cannot provide.

Red and infrared therapy helps with insomnia and mood disorders, which are common problems for people with fibromyalgia.

How to Use Red Light Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Red light therapy can be used to attack inflammatory pain in two ways:

• full-body light exposure for systemic relief
• targeted fibromyalgia pain relief at specific pain points

Use a panel for systemic relief, and a handheld or belt for targeted relief.

If I were choosing between a panel and a handheld, I would start with a targeted device. I would get the light to press onto the skin to maximize photon absorption at the area of the tender pain points.

Most lights come standard with red and infrared light in the 630-660 nm (red) and 810-850 (nm) wavelength ranges. Red and infrared are equally healing, with infrared reaching deeper into the body than red.

Use the panel on the full front and back of the body once daily. If you combine it with a targeted device, use them at the same time. The handheld or belt will put more light on the painful areas, and the panel will treat the rest of your body.

Another option is to use the panel on one day and the handheld or belt on the next, switching between the two.

Don’t be tempted to go over the prescribed time per session as it’s counterproductive.

Be aware of reasons not to use the therapy, such as when you are taking photosensitive medications.

Red light treatment is safe and even recommended for use alongside exercise therapy.

Red Light Therapy Panels

A panel floods your body with light from a distance of 6 or more inches. Mitochondria in the blood (a recent discovery) accept the light while traveling throughout the body.

Because the treated blood circulates throughout the body and brain, the panel brings healing to the entire body (and brain).

This is why it’s called “systemic,” because it treats the entire system. Panel healing is more comprehensive but can take four to 6 weeks to feel consistent fibromyalgia pain relief.

Look for a panel from a well-known brand. There are so many copycats out there now with red light therapy becoming popular. Brands like Mito Red Light and Lightpath LED are owned and run by experts in light therapy. They build solid devices backed by science.

Red Light Therapy Handhelds

A handheld is a targeted device that floods a specific spot with healing photons (light) for more immediate results.

Based people I’ve met in pain support groups, a handheld works faster to relieve fibromyalgia pain than a panel.

Look for a powerful handheld at the top of the “low level” energy window. Use it on the tender points once daily.

Red Light Therapy Belts

A belt is a wrap or pad that wraps around a body part. It can be a tough material like the Recharge FlexBeam or a soft cloth like the Visum Flex Pad lights. The FlexBeam and Flex Pad devices are stronger than those made from soft neoprene (the black belt picture above). They provide faster relief (days rather than possibly weeks, though some do get relief in days from the softer devices, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule).

Success Stories: Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

I collect red light treatment experiences from social media, friends, and family.

One recurring theme is the gradual but noticeable reduction in pain levels in people suffering from inflammatory diseases. Many describe a lessening of the constant, widespread pain that characterizes fibromyalgia.

For instance, a 45-year-old woman reported that after six weeks of consistent LED light therapy sessions, her pain levels decreased from a daily average of 8/10 to 5/10. This improvement allowed her to reduce her pain medication and engage more fully in daily activities. She created a virtuous exercise and pain relief cycle alongside LED light therapy.

Many patients notice improvements in sleep quality. A 52-year-old man shared that before red light therapy, he would wake up 6-7 times per night due to pain and discomfort. After four weeks of treatment, he reported sleeping through the night more often and waking feeling more refreshed. This improvement in sleep quality had a cascading effect on his daytime fatigue and overall mood.

Increased energy levels and reduced fatigue are frequently mentioned benefits. A 38-year-old teacher described how red light therapy helped her regain the stamina to work full-time again. She noted, “Before, I was constantly exhausted and had to take frequent breaks. I can make it through the school day without feeling completely drained.”

Cognitive improvements, often called lifting the “fibro fog,” are another positive outcome reported by some patients.

A 60-year-old retiree shared that after starting red light therapy, she noticed improvements in her concentration and memory. She could resume hobbies like reading and crossword puzzles, which she had previously abandoned due to difficulty focusing.

Many patients also report an enhanced ability to engage in physical activities. A 41-year-old former athlete described how red light therapy helped her gradually return to exercise.

She started with gentle yoga and, over time, incorporated more vigorous activities like swimming and cycling into her routine.

Improvements in mood and mental health are also commonly reported. A 55-year-old office worker shared that the reduction in pain and fatigue from red light therapy helped alleviate her depression symptoms. She felt more optimistic and started socializing more, improving her mood and quality of life.

It’s worth noting that many patients emphasize the importance of consistency and patience with red light therapy.

A 49-year-old accountant stated, “I didn’t notice much change in the first two weeks, but by week four, the improvements were undeniable. Sticking with it was key.”

Some patients have found success in combining red light therapy with other treatments.

A 57-year-old nurse practitioner reported that using red light therapy in conjunction with her prescribed medications and a gentle exercise routine provided the most comprehensive relief she had experienced since her diagnosis.

While these stories are encouraging, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. Not all patients experience the same level of improvement, and some may not find significant relief from red light therapy. However, for those who benefit, the impact on their quality of life can be substantial.

These accounts underscore the potential of red light therapy as a complementary treatment for fibromyalgia. They highlight the multifaceted nature of its benefits, addressing not just pain but also sleep, energy levels, cognitive function, and mood.

As research in this area continues to evolve, these real-life experiences provide valuable insights and hope for those living with fibromyalgia.

Conclusion

Red light therapy for fibromyalgia is a promising and natural method of reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals.

Targeting the underlying causes of fibromyalgia symptoms, such as inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, offers a safe and effective way to manage pain, improve sleep, boost energy levels, and enhance overall well-being.

As more research continues to support the benefits of red light therapy for fibromyalgia, this innovative treatment is providing renewed hope for those seeking a natural approach to managing their symptoms and reclaiming their lives.