Living with lymphoedema can make everyday tasks an uphill battle. Simple activities like buttoning a shirt, walking, or lifting a grocery bag become challenging due to persistent swelling and discomfort. Beyond the physical hurdles, the emotional strain of managing the condition often feels relentless. While traditional treatments offer some relief, many are still seeking more lasting solutions. One promising approach is red light therapy.
Learn how red light therapy can provide long-term relief for those with lymphoedema with our experts at Rojo Light Therapy UK.
The lymphatic system is a crucial part of the immune system, responsible for fluid balance and absorbing dietary fats. When it’s compromised, blockages can form causing lymphoedema, a chronic and often debilitating condition. When lymphatic fluid isn’t properly drained, it builds up in tissues, leading to painful swelling.
Left untreated, lymphoedema can also lead to further problems such as long-term infections, limited mobility, fatty skin, and lymph fluid leaking out.
Currently, there is no known cure for lymphedema. Most treatments for the condition only slow it down or provide temporary relief. The most common approach is complete decongestive therapy (CDT). This involves wrapping the body in multiple layers of bandage, using compression garments, limb elevation, lymphatic drainage, and physical therapy. It can also involve medication and massages.
These approaches can help provide relief, however, they don’t address the blockage nor restore normal lymphatic flow. This is where red light therapy comes in with its ability to boost your body’s natural defences against the root causes of lymphedema.
Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular processes. Research indicates that this therapy offers several benefits that may support lymphatic function and reduce lymphedema symptoms.
Red light therapy enhances mitochondrial activity, leading to increased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that fuels cellular repair and regeneration. In the context of lymphoedema, this means cells can repair damaged lymphatic vessels and surrounding tissues more efficiently.
Red light therapy can induce vasodilation or the dilation of blood vessels which can also relax lymphatic vessels, allowing lymph fluid to flow better and more smoothly. In a study published in 2022, scientists have seen this very effect of photobiomodulation on the brain’s waste clearance system or the glymphatic system.
On a larger scale, throughout the whole body, red light therapy can help the lymphatic system clean out things like protein waste more efficiently.
Lymphangiogenesis is the process where existing vessels create new lymphatic vessels. More lymphatic vessels mean more paths for lymphatic fluid to exit instead of getting stuck in the body’s tissues.
In a 2015 study, scientists found red light therapy increased lymphangiogenesis in mice exposed to the treatment. The mice were divided into two groups, one receiving red light therapy and the other not. Those in the treatment group were exposed to red light therapy for 10 minutes each day over 12 days. The results showed that the treatment group had decreased lymphoedema demonstrated by their reduced tail thickness, reduced inflammation, and increased lymphatic vessel growth.
This means for those with lymphoedema, red light therapy can help improve lymphatic system function by encouraging the growth of new lymph vessels.
Unlike the circulatory system which has a heart to help pump blood throughout the body, the lymphatic system has none. Instead, lymph fluid is ushered around by movement. When you move, your muscles and joints push on the lymph vessels, keeping lymph fluid flowing smoothly. However, this process can be disrupted by inflammation, lymph vessel damage, injury, or surgery.
Red light therapy helps restore this system’s original function through its ability to accelerate healing. Combined with the treatment’s anti-inflammatory abilities, it can accelerate recovery, allowing your body to resume optimal lymphatic flow.
Managing lymphoedema is an ongoing journey, often filled with daily challenges. While traditional treatments play a vital role, integrating innovative therapies like red light therapy may offer additional relief and improve quality of life.
For those considering this therapy, Rojo Light Therapy offers advanced red light devices designed to support lymphatic health effectively and safely. Explore our range to find a solution that fits your needs and take a proactive step towards better managing lymphoedema. Contact us for further inquiries!
