Infrared Therapy For Neuropathy
Infrared therapy has been growing in popularity as a treatment option for neuropathy. Using light-emitting diodes to deliver healing infrared heat, it penetrates deep into tissues, stimulating cellular function, enhancing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and triggering endorphin release, all of which contribute to its therapeutic effects. As more research is done, it becomes clear that this non-invasive treatment holds great promise in alleviating neuropathic pain.
Studies indicate that Comparing Infrared Laser Therapy can alleviate neuropathic pain by prompting the release of nitric oxide, a short-lived gas which relaxes arteries and veins, lowers blood pressure, regulates blood flow, fights free radicals, and prevents platelets from clumping together. These effects reduce pain, improve balance and gait, and enhance the ability to feel sensations in the hands and feet. It also can increase the effectiveness of other treatments for neuropathic pain, including antidepressants, opioids, and physical therapy.
Nitric oxide also stimulates Schwann cells to form a type of cord that reconnects healthy nerve cells with damaged axons. This process helps restore the ability to send and receive messages from the brain and spinal cord. In addition, it promotes the growth of new nerve fibers and forms a protective myelin sheath that encases damaged axons. Infrared light therapy also increases protein production, which is important for cell health and nerve regeneration.
Another key to addressing neuropathic pain is reducing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Infrared therapy targets both of these factors by encouraging the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the mitochondria, which provides energy for cell functions. In addition, it promotes the production of antioxidants, which fight free radicals and oxidative damage.
Inflammation is one of the primary causes of neuropathic pain, so it is important to address this factor through natural means. Research suggests that red and near-infrared (FIR) light therapy can significantly reduce chronic inflammation, thereby relieving neuropathic pain and preventing further damage.
Researchers found that neuropathic pain can be reversed in mice by targeting TrkB receptors and pruning the nerve endings responsible for triggering a painful response. To do this, they injected mice with a chemical that specifically binds to TrkB receptors and then blasted the injection site with near-infrared light. This caused the receptors to shrink, making them less likely to trigger a painful reaction in response to touch. In many cases, the pain in these mice was completely reversed.
The good news is that this research is not only applicable to mice, but humans as well. A recent study indicated that photobiomodulation, a form of infrared therapy, can effectively treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a debilitating side effect of cancer treatment that can cause pain, balance issues, and other symptoms in the arms and legs. CIPN affects about 68% of patients receiving cytotoxic drugs and can limit quality of life. The study was published in the journal Experimental Neurology.
As research continues, it is becoming more apparent that infrared therapy has the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for neuropathic pain and other conditions as well. It is a powerful, yet safe alternative to prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers that have not been proven to be effective.