Infrared light is such a powerful technology that it is used in many, many therapies to heal. A big form of laser therapy that we’re fans of: treating chronic pain.
According to the National Institute of Health, pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in the United States. Approximately one out of three Americans is affected by chronic pain annually.
How crazy is it that we’re all living with some level of chronic pain? It’s so common to reach for ibuprofen after that hard workout or to think you can just live with a few chronic aches. We’ve all been there, right? But, there’s a natural, effective way to promote healing: laser therapy.
Laser therapy, sometimes known as cold laser therapy, low-level laser therapy, or near-infrared therapy, is growing in popularity as a low-risk, effective way to treat pain. Light therapy has been shown over the course of 40 years to reduce inflammation, induce analgesia (pain relief), and promote healing.
Laser therapy uses the same technology that’s in our HigherDOSE infrared saunas – just at a different frequency. Here’s what you need to know about Laser therapy and how it can help your body recover from pain.
What is light therapy?
Laser therapy uses light-emitting diodes or low-level lasers to scan the body and promote healing. Light at red and near-infrared wavelengths is applied to your skin and shown to help reduce wrinkles, acne scars, and heal burns.
Low-level laser therapy can also be used to decrease pain and inflammation, as well as prevent tissue damage. “The technique is called “cold” laser therapy because the low levels of light aren’t enough to heat your body’s tissue. The level of light is low when compared to other forms of laser therapy, such as those used to destroy tumors and coagulate tissue,” writes Healthline.
Some forms of light therapy have also shown to make a difference in seasonal affective disorder – the winter blues! The effect of light therapy mimics the feeling of stepping out into bright sunshine. Getting that extra dose of light can help lighten your mood, get better sleep, and keep you going during those cold winter months.
Low-level laser therapy is shown to help treat:
- Minor injuries (incl. Knee pain, lower back pain, muscle strains)
- Swelling and inflammation
- Acute and chronic pain
- Skin rejuvenation, including acne and psoriasis
- Treat difficult-to-heal wounds
- Have a similar effect as acupuncture
How long does laser therapy take to work?
For those doing light therapy to mitigate the effects of seasonal affective disorder, light therapy works best over time and with consistent sessions. Most experts recommend setting a therapy schedule and sticking to it!
Cold laser therapy is similar in that its efficacy depends on the dosage, wavelength, duration, and where on the body the lasers do their work. At HigherDOSE, our saunas are full-spectrum, offering a dose of near-infrared light for your whole body targeting pain throughout the body. Get excited: we’re also going to be launching a Red Light mask that combines near-infrared light with red LED light to boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, and decrease fine lines/wrinkles. It’s going to make a HUGE difference in your wellness routine!
The best option: HigherDOSE offers low-level laser therapy with chromotherapy, color therapy that uses the science of colors to adjust body vibrations to frequencies that promote health and harmony. Just one session can leave you feeling energized and stimulate the production of collagen in skin cells.
What are the side effects of laser therapy?
Light therapy can make you feel stronger, lift your mood, and improve your skin, but it doesn’t treat every condition. The NIH does not recommend cold laser therapy for certain conditions (such as cancer), but there are no side effects shown when the therapy is used as intended.
Cold therapy has been around for so many decades and is proven to support pain management. If you’re trying to manage inflammation, repair an old sports injury, or just seeking to help your body relax amidst pandemic stress, a dose of laser therapy might be just the thing you need.
Test out laser therapy at one of our NYC spas and keep an eye on our Instagram page for more about the new Red Light mask we’re hoping to release soon!
