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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that continues to puzzle the medical community. Despite the innovations we’ve been able to achieve in the modern age of STEM research, integration with smart tech and more, the cause of the ailment remains unknown. As of the current decade, the most typical course of treatment involves managing the symptoms of MS.
Traditional management of MS includes medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. However, recently, red light therapy has attracted attention as a potential supportive treatment for the condition, due to its ability to stimulate cellular mechanisms which can modulate immune responses and aid in tissue repair.
Explore how this treatment can help alleviate or manage symptoms of MS, with our team at ROJO Light Therapy US.
MS is the most common progressive neurologic disease in young adults worldwide. In the US, it affects 300,000 - 400,000 individuals. According to the National MS Society, the condition is an abnormal response of the body’s immune system against the central nervous system (CNS). It attacks the myelin sheath, a protective shaft surrounding nerve fibers, in a condition called demyelination, causing a slew of neurologic symptoms. Additionally, as the body attempts to repair this damage, it creates scar tissue or sclerosis, which further interferes with nerve transmission.
MS symptoms can affect any part of the body and can be unpredictable. For some, they come and go but for others, they only grow and worsen over time. The most common symptoms of the condition include muscle weakness, spasticity (muscle stiffness), sensory issues, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and pain. Individuals with MS can also experience stabbing pain caused by the improper sensory neuron signals coming from the nerves.
Inflammation is one of the driving forces behind MS progression as pro-inflammatory cytokines attract T-cells to attack the myelin in the CNS. This directly damages the neurons and glial cells in the brain and spinal cord.
RLT helps reduce chronic inflammation by boosting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10.
Supporting this, a 2016 study titled “Low-level laser therapy ameliorates disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis” demonstrated that a few RLT treatments significantly reduced neuroinflammation and lymphocyte levels. This resulted in decreased demyelination in the spinal cord and a slower progression of MS symptoms.
Demyelination is the main culprit behind the disruption of efficient nerve signal transmission. However, RLT shows great potential in preventing this degradation and promoting the restoration of myelin sheaths or remyelination.
This effect was demonstrated in the same 2016 study, where red light therapy blocked demyelination in animal models of MS while supporting neuronal repair. Another study, in exploring the efficacy of light therapy on autoimmune diseases, also showed that RLT helped restore mitochondrial function, increasing cellular metabolism and healing.
RLT also shows great potential in protecting brain health through its anti-inflammatory features and its ability to enhance mitochondrial function.
In one trial, mice treated with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) showed less severe MS symptoms and fewer relapses than untreated mice. Researchers noted that the treatment stimulated protective cell metabolism while down-regulating inflammation to create a powerful neuroprotective effect. All these functions are essential for nerve cell repair and survival.
The constant fatigue that MS patients suffer from is due to reduced cellular energy and high energy demands in immune-compromised cells. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) boost that RLT stimulates helps cells meet these energy requirements. This improves cellular functions and allows MS-afflicted individuals to have better energy balance and more stamina in their everyday lives.
Red light therapy has been known to be used by athletes and wellness enthusiasts to relieve symptoms similar to those that individuals with MS have. This includes muscle stiffness, decreased mobility, stress, and even a few mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
While red light therapy presents a strong potential as a supportive treatment for MS, more research is necessary to establish the mechanisms surrounding it, especially since MS tends to present differently in each individual. For those who do want to add it to their regimen, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about the treatment to optimise it for safety and the best outcome.
For more information about red light therapy benefits, explore our blog at ROJO Light Therapy US. Contact us for more information or inquiries.
