For those who rely on their voice professionally, the likes of artists, teachers, performers and more, vocal injuries can often be a great concern. More ordinarily, those of us who experience these maladies can experience frustration from simple throat infections or dryness after taking extended calls. The bottom line is that losing your voice can be beyond inconvenient, impacting your daily life and your capacity to engage in your professional and personal life.
When it comes to concerns like these, red light therapy benefits aren’t often at the forefront of available solutions, as many still opt for traditional methods such as hydration, rest, medication, and even surgery. However, when you take a closer look at the effects that red light therapy brings, the treatment offers a strong case as a potential complementary treatment for vocal recovery.Â
Learn more about it with our team at ROJO Light Therapy UK in this article!Â
The vocal cords are thin, elastic bands of tissue located in the larynx. To produce sound, they vibrate as air passes through them. Despite their flexibility, however, they are highly vulnerable to strain, inflammation, and injury.
Some of the most common causes of vocal cord damage include:
Prolonged speaking, shouting, or singing places significant stress on the vocal cords. When this happens repeatedly over a significant amount of time, the microscopic tears, swelling, and vocal fatigue can evolve into chronic conditions, especially when left untreated.
The interaction between the red and near-infrared wavelengths of red light therapy benefits and the mitochondria of the cells in vocal cords stimulate the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s fuel. This then provides those cells with the needed energy to maximise on the healing of microtears, restoring the former condition of the vocal cords.
Additionally, red light therapy inhibits the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which worsen pain and swelling after vocal overuse. By reducing this inflammation, red light therapy provides faster relief from hoarseness and vocal strain, helping your voice recover more fully.
The growth of vocal nodules and polyps often greatly concerns singers (for good reason). While these are typically benign, they can cause great discomfort and lower vocal quality (hoarseness, loss of vocal range, raspiness, etc). And while red light therapy doesn’t directly cure these issues, it can help create a sustainable environment for healing.Â
First, the treatment helps reduce oxidative stress, which causes cellular damage, in the vocal tissues. It stimulates an increase in antioxidant production, which fights off the free radicals behind the condition.
Second, red light therapy stimulates angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels. With this, circulation to the vocal cords can improve, nourishing the tissue’s cells and strengthening their ability to heal and rejuvenate. Overall, this aids in the reduction of existing growths and prevents their recurrence.
Vocal cord scarring is one of the most challenging vocal conditions to treat. The condition, which results from untreated injuries, surgeries, or prolonged strain, causes the vocal cords to lose their elasticity and vibratory capability.
The good news is that red light therapy benefits can encourage tissue repair and cellular regeneration by enhancing the activity of certain growth factors. This process helps the body gradually replace the rigid scar tissue with more flexible, functional, and healthier tissue.
To treat these two common vocal conditions, many people often reach for medication - red light therapy, however, also offers an effective solution.
As mentioned earlier, red light therapy helps fight inflammation. This not only reduces your discomfort from the condition but it also allows the vocal cords to heal faster and regain their normal function.
Moreover, the enhanced circulation prompted by the treatment also helps relax muscle tension in the neck and throat which also exacerbates the pain and discomfort you feel. By promoting relaxation, red light therapy further alleviates the strain that often accompanies persistent vocal inflammation.
If you’re struggling with vocal cord strain, chronic inflammation, or any similar vocal condition, red light therapy offers a practical and effective solution. Its ability to rejuvenate delicate tissues and reduce inflammation means your vocal cords can heal faster and for any accompanying treatment to be more effective. As always, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional first, especially if you’re a beginner to red light therapy.
If you’re ready to add red light therapy benefits to your vocal recovery routine, ROJO Light Therapy can help. We offer state-of-the-art red light therapy devices designed to provide maximum health benefits. Contact us today for more questions or inquiries!
