FREE DELIVERY ACROSS THE UK AND NORTHERN IRELAND
It has been established that red light therapy (RLT) helps in frustrating autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and lower back pain, but did you know that infrared light therapy benefits extend to more severe autoimmune diseases such as lupus?
According to the UK’s official Lupus Organisation, around 1 out of 1,000 individuals nationwide have lupus, with 90% of the cases being female. While no cure for lupus currently exists, red light therapy may contain therapeutic effects on its symptoms.
Join the Rojo Light Therapy team as we discuss the possible clinical applications of red light therapy, its mechanism of action, and its effectiveness in helping treat lupus.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or Lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks itself, mistaking healthy tissue as a threat – causing inflammation and pain throughout the body.
There are four types of lupus: SLE, Cutaneous lupus, Drug-induced lupus, and Neonatal lupus – among these, SLE is the most common of the four. While the cause of lupus is yet to be revealed, some possible factors that may cause lupus include hormonal changes, environmental factors, and genetics.
Lupus commonly affects your skin, joints, and organ systems such as the brain, lungs, and heart. Symptoms may range from mild to severe conditions that severely inhibit day-to-day life, which include flare-ups, joint pain, rashes, and skin irritation.
So how does red light therapy help with lupus? While we have yet to find a cure for this disease, emerging research suggests that it can help in treating its symptoms, as RLT contains anti-inflammatory effects.
To provide further context, red light therapy uses both red and near-infrared rays (660-850 nanometers) to stimulate the mitochondria to improve adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. This surplus in ATP helps treat lupus as it plays a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory process and immune responses in SLE.Â
According to a 2017 study, patients afflicted with SLE consistently show ATP deficits in their mitochondria, which exacerbate the disease as it reduces the energy available for certain immune cells (macrophages) to clean up dead cells properly.
When these dead cells remain, they can break down and increase the likelihood of necrosis. This could lead to worse symptoms as the disease progresses.
Based on available evidence, there is a possibility that infrared light therapy benefits may help in treating lupus as it is a safe, non-invasive, and non-harmful option when compared to existing forms of treatment.
For example, some medications used to treat SLE include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, antimalarial drugs, etc. These medications can often cause adverse reactions to the body, though the frequency and severity may vary.
For example, NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can cause side effects such as indigestion, ulcers, and bleeding, and may even impair kidney function for patients with lupus nephritis.
Additionally, there's a common misconception that red light therapy uses UV light. However, the reality is farther from the truth – RLT devices use red and infrared rays, rather than ultraviolet (UV) light, which are known to trigger skin rashes, itching, weakness, and fatigue in lupus patients.
Red light therapy can also help reduce pain. Since pain and chronic inflammatory conditions such as lupus often go hand in hand, RLT devices may help minimise pain and improve recovery as they are believed to increase cellular energy (ATP production) and collagen production, which promotes healing and reduces inflammation.
According to one study exploring the effects of red light therapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis– another autoimmune disease– studies show the RLT reduced pain by 70%, reduced morning stiffness (a common symptom in arthritis), and increased tip-to-palm flexibility when compared to the placebo group.
According to emerging studies, red light therapy may help treat SLE and could have significant clinical applications for autoimmune diseases in general in the future.
However, while it’s tempting to reap infrared light therapy benefits sooner than later, we highly recommend checking with your healthcare provider first before trying them out yourself.
Depending on several factors and the severity of your condition, red light therapy may help in improving your condition, but it can also exacerbate symptoms – consulting with your doctor who can evaluate your health status helps avoid this situation.
If you have any questions, concerns, or inquiries about red light therapy devices, and how they work or are interested in taking one home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We will be happy to assist you.
