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Athletes are no stranger to bone fractures, especially those in more extreme or high-contact sports - It’s simply one of the common risks of its place in the corpus of physical activities. Similarly, aging individuals are also aware of the underlying effects of age on aspects of their health - bone density, metabolism and rate of recovery immediately spring to mind. More often than not in treating these concerns, rest, physical therapy, and medication play an integral role. The good news? More treatments now can enhance the recovery process, one of which involves our beloved red light therapy (RLT).
In this article, the team at ROJO Light Therapy will take you through the mechanism of how red light therapy at home can boost bone recovery.
Most of the benefits of red light therapy come from its ability to push red and near-infrared light wavelengths beyond the skin’s surface to the tissues underneath, including muscles and bone. When the light energy reaches the cells, it interacts with the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells, and triggers an increased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is the energy currency of cells, which is essential in cell repair and regeneration.
Your bones have the ability to regrow and heal by themselves. However, as you age, your body naturally loses some of this ability. The cellular stimulation induced by red light therapy can help supplement this, as it can enhance osteogenesis or the process of new bone formation. RLT has been shown to increase osteoblastic activity, a crucial process for producing new bone matrices, and accelerating the repair of damaged bone.
Moreover, increased ATP production naturally supports the body’s healing mechanisms, allowing faster recovery and even increased bone density over time.
Athletes, especially runners and dancers, are prone to injuries called stress fractures, tiny cracks in the bone - the repetitive strain or overuse that is characteristic of these sports often causes this. Normally, these self-heal through a process called bone remodeling, in which old bone tissue is replaced with new tissue growth. However, this takes a lengthy time, depending on how severe the injury is.
By promoting osteoblast activity, red light therapy can help accelerate the healing process of this injury. Studies have found that red light exposure enhances osteoblastic differentiation, meaning more bone-forming cells are produced and activated.
Additionally, RLT has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain and swelling in the affected areas. By mitigating the body’s inflammatory response, RLT promotes a more favorable environment for bone repair.
Last but not least, RLT also promotes angiogenesis, or the creation of new blood vessels which promotes enhanced blood flow. With this, oxygen and essential nutrients are able to reach the affected site efficiently, promoting faster repair.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis are two of the most common age-related illnesses the aging population hopes to avoid. These conditions can significantly affect mobility and increase the risk of fractures. They also necessitate medication and lifestyle changes to manage.
Research indicates that RLT can help slow the progression of bone density loss through the increased activity of osteoblasts and reduced activity of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone breakdown. This encourages an increase in bone mineral density more than bone breakdown, meaning that RLT can also be a viable candidate for osteoporosis prevention treatments.
Bone repair is always a lengthy process and anything that could help accelerate it and get you back into your prime is a great advantage to have. Fortunately, red light therapy presents a powerful option for enhancing the bone healing process. Not only that but it can also support long-term bone health.
If you’re looking for an easy and convenient way to incorporate red light therapy into your bone health or overall wellness routine, we at ROJO Light Therapy provide high-quality, at-home devices designed for maximum effectiveness. Shop our red light therapy panels today or contact us for more inquiries.
