Red Light Therapy for Neck Pain: 2024’s Pain-Busting Marvel
If you work at a computer, forget to exercise and stretch, or suffered whiplash in a car accident, you probably know how bad neck pain can be.
Buckle up because I’m about to introduce you to a mind-blowing way to relieve that pain.
70% of people will experience neck pain at some point, so we are not alone. Red light therapy can relieve neck swelling and aching pain, so let me show you how it works.
Takeaways:
- Red light therapy uses visible and infrared light to change cellular function.
- It acts on the cells to stop chronic inflammation, blunt pain signals, and improve circulation.
- Red light therapy helps with chronic neck pain from injury, posture, and soft tissue problems.
What is Red Light Therapy for Neck Pain?
Red light therapy uses visible and infrared light to change how cells behave.
Light is absorbed in the mitochondria (inside the cells), stimulating energy production and signals to stop chronic inflammation and blunting pain signals’ reception.
Wavelengths
The therapy uses bioactive wavelengths in the infrared and red ranges but can also use yellow, green, and blue wavelengths. The word “red” in the name is just a shortcut. The treatment uses wavelengths from all visible and infrared light.
You will typically use 630-660 nm red and 810-850 nm infrared light. These particular wavelengths have been shown to penetrate human tissue effectively and stimulate several healthy responses.
Energy Production
Unlike UV rays or intense heat treatments, this therapy uses gentle light penetrating the skin and underlying tissues without causing damage.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this therapy is how it interacts with our body at a cellular level.
As light penetrates our skin and muscle tissue, it reaches our cells’ mitochondria, which are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell.
When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, these mitochondria are stimulated to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), boosting cellular energy production.
The increased ATP production has a cascading effect throughout the body. It enhances cellular function, promotes faster healing, and can even trigger the production of antioxidants.
This boost in cellular energy powers healing in the neck and wherever there is injury or wear and tear.
Increased Circulation and Mobility
LED light stimulates the production of nitric oxide, which triggers the opening of the blood vessels and increases blood flow.
More blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients getting to those sore muscles and joints. This improved circulation can speed up healing, helping you bounce back faster from strains or chronic issues.
However, perhaps the most exciting benefit is the potential for improved neck mobility. Through pain reduction, decreased inflammation, and muscle relaxation, many people can move their necks more freely after consistent red light therapy sessions.
Incorporating red light therapy into my routine has made a significant difference in managing neck pain and improving mobility. It can be an overnight fix or take a few weeks. Using the therapy, I can turn my head more easily.
Safe and Effective
Red light therapy offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments.
The increased cellular energy helps reduce inflammation in the affected area, while improved blood flow aids in flushing out toxins and delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the tissues.
Rd light therapy affects nerve endings, potentially blunting pain signals directly. This could explain why many users report a reduction in pain levels after consistent use.
My Experience with Neck Pain Relief
I’ve used LED light therapy on my neck pain and barely use Ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief. More impressive is how it relieved my husband’s neck pain.
He gets surprise attacks, seemingly out of nowhere, and he cannot take pain relievers (he gets chest pain and has had quadruple bypass surgery; we don’t like chest pain around here).
Three times in the last year, I’ve given John my red light therapy to help his neck pain. The first time, it took 1.5 weeks to use. It took three days to relieve his pain completely the next two times. So, to be clear, that’s one session daily for three or ten days for complete neck pain relief.
Red Light Therapy for Neck Pain Science
One of the biggest benefits of red light therapy for neck pain is its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. It’s not just a Band-Aid solution either – we’re talking about addressing the root causes.
The light penetrates deep into the tissue, stimulating cellular processes that naturally combat inflammation. For many people, this means less reliance on pain meds.
Cold Laser Neck Pain Study
A 1989 study published in Physical Therapy[1] investigated the effects of helium-neon laser irradiation on skin resistance and pain in patients with trigger points in the neck or back.
This is so interesting for a few reasons.
Despite using a laser, the power output was seriously low. It was TINY!
Yet the subejcts experienced neck pain relief in just three sessions.
Which brings me to the laser vs. LED debate. No, lasers are NOT better than LEDs for red light therapy!
Most people think the difference between a laser and an LED is the power. Lasers are poweful and LEDs are not. Well, that’s not true!
For a laser to work for red light therapy, it has to have its power stepped waaaay down. Plenty of LEDs can output the same power as a stepped down laser.
The only difference left between them is that lasers output columns of light while LED light is more random.
Those loser columns are more likely to reflect off the skin, which then does not absorb the light!
LEDs are preferable to lasers in this regard.
OK, back to our regularly scheduled study breakdown.
The research, conducted as a double-blind study, involved 24 patients randomly assigned to either a treatment group receiving actual laser therapy or a control group receiving placebo treatment.
The study 632.8 nm red light. It operated at the insanely low poer output of 0.95 mW, classifying it as a “cold” or “soft” laser that does not produce tissue heating.
Each treatment session consisted of three 20-second applications directly to the trigger point, with patients receiving three sessions throughout the study.
The laser (i.e., red light therapy) group experienced a substantial decrease in pain levels, with 12 out of 13 patients reporting pain relief.
The self-assessed improvement in pain was markedly higher in the laser group (63%) compared to the placebo group (19%).
While the study used a very low energy dosage by today’s standards, the positive outcomes suggest that even low-power laser therapy could effectively treat musculoskeletal trigger points.
The researchers concluded that helium-neon laser treatment may be a beneficial adjunct to conventional physical therapy for neck or back pain associated with trigger points.
This study was produced before LEDs became popular. Despite its age, this study provides interesting insights into the potential of low-level light therapy for pain management. It may be relevant to those considering modern LED-based photobiomodulation devices for similar conditions.
Red Light Therapy vs. Dry Needling Neck Pain Study
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine[2] investigated the effects of typical neck pain interventions on neck pain associated with sensitive trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.
The study included 60 patients with chronic neck pain lasting over one month, with an average age of 51.25 years. These patients had active trigger points in their upper trapezius muscles and reported significant pain, as indicated by pain intensity scores greater than 50 out of 100 on a visual pain scale.
The researchers quantified neck pain and its impact using three primary measures: a visual pain scale for pain intensity, a neck-specific disability questionnaire, and a shoulder pain and disability questionnaire. These measures were assessed at the start of the study, immediately after the intervention period, and one month after treatment ended.
The study compared three interventions: low-power laser therapy (also known as red light therapy and photobiomodulation), dry needling, and a control group performing stretching exercises.
- The laser therapy group received 3 sessions over 2 weeks, using a specific laser device applied to trigger points.
- The dry needling group underwent 4 sessions over 2 weeks, with thin needles inserted into trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.
- The control group performed upper trapezius stretching exercises three times daily for two weeks.
Both laser therapy and dry needling showed significant improvements in neck pain and disability compared to the control group.
The pain intensity scores and disability questionnaire scores decreased significantly in both treatment groups immediately after the intervention and at the one-month follow-up.
The study found no significant difference between the outcomes of laser therapy and dry needling. Both interventions were equally effective in reducing neck pain and improving function in the short term.
The control group, which only performed stretching exercises, did not show significant improvements in any of the outcome measures.
These findings suggest that both laser therapy and dry needling are effective treatment options for neck pain associated with trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. The study highlights the potential of laser therapy as a non-invasive alternative to dry needling, offering comparable benefits in pain reduction and functional improvement.
References
- Snyder-Mackler L, Barry AJ, Perkins AI, Soucek MD. Effects of helium-neon laser irradiation on skin resistance and pain in patients with trigger points in the neck or back. Phys Ther. 1989 May;69(5):336-41. doi: 10.1093/ptj/69.5.336. PMID: 2710815.
- Ansari M, Baradaran Mahdavi S, Vahdatpour B, Lahijanian A, Khosrawi S. Effects of Dry Needling and Low-Power Laser for the Treatment of Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Chiropr Med. 2022 Dec;21(4):288-295. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2022.02.013. Epub 2022 Jun 6. PMID: 36420368; PMCID: PMC9676349.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Neck Pain Relief
Red light therapy can be used to attack neck pain in two ways:
- full-body light exposure for systemic relief
- targeted spot pain relief at specific pain points
Use a panel for systemic relief and a handheld or belt for targeted relief.
If I chose 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 simultaneously. The handheld or belt will put more light on the neck’s 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 review 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 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 it can take four to six weeks to feel consistent neck pain relief.
Look for a panel from a well-known brand. With red light therapy becoming popular, there are many copycats now.
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 neck pain with healing photons (light) for more immediate results.
Based on people I’ve met in pain support groups, a handheld works faster to relieve neck pain than a panel.
Look for a powerful handheld at the top of the “low-level” energy window. Use it on the neck 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).
Conclusion
It’s clear that this isn’t just some flash-in-the-pan trend; it’s a scientifically-backed, game-changing solution that’s giving neck pain sufferers a reason to hold their heads high (and pain-free!).
Whether you’re dealing with a crick in your neck from too much screen time or chronic pain that’s been haunting you for years, red light therapy might be the superhero your neck has been waiting for.
