Why Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a holistic, simple and non-invasive therapy that can be done at home. It is widely used to treat everything from acute injuries to more chronic conditions such as arthritis. It works by penetrating into the skin and stimulating on a cellular level, increasing blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the area. 

 

Red light therapy has been widely studied for decades in humans and animals. Overall, it has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for a variety of conditions and ailments of the body. The specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light varies but the the concept remains the same. The light used during therapy is absorbed by the mitochondria in cells, which are the "powerhouses" of the cell. This absorption of light energy stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells and therefor increases blood flow and circulation to the area being treated.

A study published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology found that red light therapy reduced inflammation and promoted wound healing in cats.

Red light therapy has also been found to be effective in treating skin conditions in pets. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that red light therapy was effective in treating allergic dermatitis in dogs.

Another study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found that red light therapy was effective in treating skin conditions in cats, such as feline acne.

Use in horses has received a lot of attention. It is typically referred to as ‘equine light therapy’, various vets and professionals use red lasers/LEDs for treating a wide range of common concerns we see in today's horses. A lot of the literature looks at chronic pain in horses, which is surprisingly common. It is also widely used in rehabilitation from injury and in post opperative situations. 

Visible red light to the naked eye (660nm) is absorbed by skin layers efficiently and is best used for treating wounds and infections, stimulating trigger and acupuncture points. Blue light is also very effective at treating infection and for antibacterial purposes. Near-infrared light (850nm), which is barely visible to the naked eye, penetrates to a deeper level and is used to treat concerns of tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, and muscle.

References

Hill, P. B., et al. (2009). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of allergic dermatitis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 235(9), 1022-1026

Light Therapy Colors and Their Benefits, Jonathan Knight (read bio)

Verstraete, F. J., et al. (2011). Low-level laser therapy in the treatment of feline acne: a pilot study. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 13(11), 835-838.