Red LED Light Therapy for Sports Injuries

Red LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy is used by physical therapists, chiropractors and other medical professionals to treat sports injuries of the shins, back, elbows, shoulders, hips, arms, knees, feet, ankles, groin and leg muscles. LED light therapy is nonsurgical and noninvasive, and there are no reported side effects or complications.

Significance

• Although the concept of light as a healing treatment has existed since the ancient Greeks, NASA has demonstrated that light therapy can improve cell and tissue functioning and promote healing. In a 2003 study, plant cells grew 150 to 200 percent faster under LED light than unstimulated cells.

Features

• Red LED light therapy emits red or infrared wavelengths (from either an adjustable overhead or handheld device) to penetrate surface skin tissues. It promotes the functioning of injured cells and cell processes through stimulation with light energy (photons).

Uses

• LED light therapy is used to reduce pain and inflammation from soft tissue injuries. It also promotes rapid healing of a skin wound or puncture in the skin, muscle pull or tear, joint injury, tendonitis or a recent nerve injury.

How It Works

• The photons penetrate surface tissues and are instantly absorbed by the underlying cells' mitochondria (cell components involved in energy production). The stimulation triggers rapid cell functioning and regeneration. Healthy cells overpower abnormal healthy cells and eventually eliminate them.

Benefits

• Benefits include speedy healing, improved musculoskeletal function and reduced pain and swelling. LED therapy not only accelerates the healing process but also stimulates new tissue generation.

Effectiveness

• NASA reported that LED light therapy relieved the severe pain and inflammation experienced by bone-marrow transplant patients. Many other studies confirm LED's effectiveness for pain relief and healing, according to HeelSpurs.com.