Red light therapy is a drug-free, noninvasive alternative that can be effective in helping people living with diabetic neuropathy. Using this treatment may aid in inflammation and pain reduction.
Neuropathy is damage to the nerves due to prolonged high blood sugars from diabetes. This complication can develop after having diabetes for many years.
There are four types of diabetes-related neuropathy:
- focal
- proximal
- peripheral
- autonomic
Nerve damage can affect any body area, but extremities, such as the toes and feet, are most likely to be affected. This is known as peripheral neuropathy.
New treatments are available to help manage the pain and discomfort of diabetic neuropathy, including red light therapy. This article explores its effectiveness and feasibility for people managing diabetic neuropathy.
Red light therapy is also known as
People undergoing red light therapy may lie in a full-body red light pod or be treated with a small device outfitted with red light panels. Either way, the red light therapy is applied to the affected area for a certain amount of time.
When used for diabetic neuropathy, the red light focuses on affected nerve cells to improve their function and reduce inflammation and pain.
Session duration can range from 10 to 30 minutes a few days per week for approximately 12 weeks. Depending on the severity of your diabetic neuropathy, you may require more or fewer red light sessions.
Diabetic neuropathy is a painful complication of diabetes,
While relatively new and results may vary, red light therapy is showing promise at
It can relieve pain and inflammation in two ways:
Increasing cellular energy production
Red light therapy stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy to drive and support many processes of the cell.
The increased energy can help promote healing.
Enhancing blood circulation
Red light therapy increases blood flow to the area, facilitating improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to the nerves and promoting regeneration.
This can aid in pain relief and reduce inflammation.
Most people tolerate the therapy well and experience no adverse side effects. This is because it’s noninvasive and a nonpharmaceutical option.
However, any therapy can pose minimal health risks, including the following:
- Eye irritation: Direct exposure to red light can cause eye discomfort. During therapy, you should wear proper eye protection, such as an eye shield, patch, or goggles.
- Skin irritation: If you have particularly sensitive skin, talk with your doctor about starting with shorter sessions. Consider discussing a plan to increase your session time when you’re comfortable.
- Complications with other conditions: Talk with your doctor if you have another chronic condition in addition to diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. They can review your current medications to determine potential contraindications you may be at risk of experiencing.
While there’s no cure for diabetic neuropathy, other treatment approaches mainly include improving comfort and reducing painful symptoms in the patient.
Recommendations include:
- supplements, such as vitamin B6, B12, and alpha lipoic acid
- over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- topical pain cream
spinal cord stimulation therapy- supportive diabetic shoes and orthotics
- physical therapy and exercise regimens
Ways to help prevent diabetic neuropathy include:
- Maintain tight blood sugar regulation and management.
- See your doctor regularly for preventive foot exams.
- Check your feet and lower legs daily for any signs of infection (skin discoloration, swelling, etc.).
- Always wear shoes when walking outside.
- Prevent skin cracking in the winter by using lotions and creams.
- Take care of your toenails, keeping them clean and cut short.
- Wear well-fitting shoes.
- Wear clean, dry socks.
Diabetic neuropathy is a painful and common complication of diabetes, affecting up to half of people who live with the condition. While it isn’t a cure, a new therapy that’s gaining popularity is red light therapy, which treats the pain and inflammation associated with the condition.
Red light therapy is a noninvasive, non-drug option that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cell activity. It can also promote healing in areas affected by diabetic neuropathy.
The therapy increases the production of ATP and promotes blood circulation, both of which can promote healing and decrease inflammation.
While results may vary, this cost-effective option may offer hope to the millions of people affected by painful diabetic neuropathy.