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LED Therapy & Tendinitis

Light-emitting diodes, also known as LEDs, can be used in the treatment of tendinitis, according to the University of Wisconsin Department of Kinesiology. In a study conducted there, less muscle weakness and pain resulted when LED therapy was used as opposed to those given ultrasound therapy.

  1. Tendinitis

    • According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, tendinitis is a condition in which the tendons---the fibers used to connect a particular muscle to a nearby bone---become irritated, inflamed or swollen due to aging, overuse of the muscles and bones in the affected area, or injury.
      Rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases can cause tendinitis, too, and if the condition occurs repeatedly in a particular area (as is the case in individuals who play sports regularly) it can eventually lead to a more severe condition known as tendinosis.

    Light-Emitting Diode Therapy (LED)

    • According to the National Cancer Institute, light-emitting diode therapy is a type of photodynamic therapy used to help fight cancer by activating cancer-fighting drugs. In addition, light therapy has also been used to successfully treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression. But LED is also a potential treatment option when dealing with pain and inflammation due to tendinitis.

    LED for Tendinitis Treatment

    • Although LED is used in the fight against cancer, it is only as a drug-activating mechanism as it does not penetrate deep enough (or have the capability) to destroy or shrink tumors itself. That is why it is also beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, as it doesn't have the ability to destroy tissue or go deep enough to cause additional muscle or tendon problems. Instead, it only goes deep enough to activate the body's production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a powerful cell fuel required for everyday cellular activity within the body (including cell and tissue repair and healing).

    LED and ATP

    • LED works by stimulating the body to produce more ATP, according to the University of Wisconsin, providing tendon cells with the needed fuel to meet cellular repair needs. Cells use this ATP fuel for metabolism at the cellular level, repairing and healing the tendons affected by tendinitis and reducing pain and inflammation.

    LED Verus Ultrasound Therapy

    • While ultrasound therapy has been used to successfully treat pain and inflammation due to tendinitis, a University of Wisconsin study concluded that ultrasound and LED therapies were equally beneficial in addressing symptoms that result from tendinitis. However, LED therapy worked more quickly than the ultrasound approach.

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