Best Red Light Therapy Treatment and Device

Does red light (infrared) improve the effectiveness of acupuncture? I have heard that this is true but would like to check. And if someone can explain how red light enhances acupuncture I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks all!

Joe

Hello - I am new to red light, in fact I know nothing about it, but I am not new to chronic pain. I broke my back, hip and femur in several unrelated accidents and had a PCP who wanted "to send me away to a nursing home, ostensibly to die, as I wasn't deemed "eligible" for rehab. (I am also new to Mayo Connect, I am a fighter who generally despises doctors because they are drug pushers for trials and big pharma and all too ready to "house" people who are chronologically old and not worth wasting their time on. I live in the ultra liberal Madison WI area filled with social workers whose jobs are dependent on putting people on any and all programs they can conjure up). Can you feel my anger? I declared my independence from "the system", found a good PT, a new PCP and have pain, but I deal with it. Some days are better sometimes with a struggle but I walk with a cane which is fine with me. OK, I am mad as hell but I have a brain and talents that function at an unbelievably high level so I am always seeking new treatments that aren't snake oil - I think you get it. My goal is to return to meaningful work, even with my age, injuries and some limitations. Enough said with my venting. The two parts that are the biggest problem are my mid/lower back and hip. Low dose Naltrexone, Diclofenac, Tylenol and Valium for the inevitable anxiety help, along with movement. I am still trying to learn how much movement is OK and when I have pushed myself too far. I should also add that I am terribly sensitive to almost all drugs and am leery about trying anything new. If it has dizziness or lightheadedness in even the rare side effects section of its profile I refuse to try it. Oh, I also have a thyroid disorder (probably caused as a result of past drug treatment given by those who were in a position to mandate it in my youth and am about to try a new endo who will, maybe, determine if I might have Hashimoto's). WOW am I rambling on. Fortunately I kept my platinum health insurance from my former employer (Federal employee who accepted an early buyout) but my income, while stable, could be better so money is always an issue. OK, on topic of red light. Educate me. Remember it is my back and hip that are the major problems and I am trying to do the impossible which is to turn back time, undo the damage that has been done to me by others in conjunction with my acceptance of their "advice" and coercion. I want, I demand, at least 15-20 years of healthy, happy, active life and refuse to accept the SOB's who have decided that because I am "old" I am useless. My goal is to find a job which will allow me to get out of the ugly senior apartment building I live in (depressing, uninspiring old people whose joy in life is gossip and BINGO), become viable again. No "programs" no public assistance, no God Damn social workers who endorse learned dependence. Hate, when properly channeled can be very cathartic. Educate me on red light. I admit my ignorance. How does it work? Is it expensive? Is it worth the investment of time and money.

I’m on your page. Most of your comments apply to me also. So in January 2025, I took a fall in my dark yard tripping over a ladder. I broke my femur and my hip. I had what is called an IT nail repair which is very complex involving two long nails and six screws. 20% of the people that go through that surgery die in the first five days, I am now 14 months out and while I walk with a limp, I’m walking and living a fairly normal life. I can’t walk as far or with as much energy, but I’m glad to be alive. I call the red light therapy during my year long convalescence my “red light pain pill.” I bought a hip belt, which was wide enough to cover both the hip and the femur break with high intensity, LED light. I bought the item on Amazon and at the time it was a shot in the dark, but anything to help endure the chronic pain and debilitation. I credit that device with keeping me sane. I recognize that this does not cure anything. It is merely pain alleviation, but if that’s what you’re looking for I heartily recommend this for deep tissue pain relief. Look over the size variety and the fda approval, and avoid ones that clamp on. I tried a knee one for an arthritic knee and that was worthless because it didn’t adhere tightly to my skin. Good luck and keep on keeping on! Attitude is more than half the battle.

Hi,
I do not know anything about red light, either. But I have a friend who raves about it and says it relieves her all over body pain secondary to arthritis.
But, I relate to almost EVERYTHING you are ranting about...it is not ranting to me but truth!
I have no idea of your age but I am 84 and spent over 30 years in chronic pain from sciatica caused by spinal stenoses that have been surgically repaired, finally, at 79 and when I returned from hospital I was 80! Now my back is getting stronger daily. But for the 30 some years preceding, I did yoga and AiChi in an aquatic setting along with swimming. When the 3 neurosurgeons who reviewed my last MRI asked me how I was still walking, I had no idea except for the fact that I did what I just noted and I worked in a warm water setting for a long time with children and adults with disabilities. I have no idea what you have done re your pain in hips and back, but I would be glad to show you what I do now and what I did for years to keep moving. I also am working remotely and live off the grid on the side of a mountain in Northern California hoping to stay here for the rest of my days....I need some time to finish some burning things....I feel like I am racing against an unknown competitor....it is death....I am too busy to go now...but no one knows really when their time will end, eh? I don't feel gloomy, just aware. Hope you get your relief and work that you will like. Working by remote is amazing! Better than I could have ever expected! Take care. Be well.
Susan

"Here is an article to read:
https://nicebeam.com/blogs/blogs/6-complete-list-of-fda-approved-red-light-therapy-devices&;
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Note that this article is misleading and is basically just dishonest marketing. NONE of the devices it lists as FDA Approved are actually FDA Approved. One has no FDA status, the others are FDA Cleared which is a much lower level of approval and simply means that the device is not likely to be unsafe to use.