Are you tired of feeling sore and stiff after a workout? Have you been looking for ways to speed up your recovery time and get back to training faster? If so, you may have heard about red light therapy. This non-invasive therapy has been famous for the past decade as it helps improve athletic performance and speed up recovery times.

Red light therapy has gained popularity as a potential tool to aid in exercise recovery. The therapy can be used to reduce muscle soreness, improve athletic performance, and promote faster recovery after intense exercise.
In this article, we will explore red light therapy, how it works, and its role in exercise recovery.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a type of light therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and promote healing in the body. It's a non-invasive technique that has been used to improve skin conditions, promote tissue repair, reduce pain and increase blood circulation. These attributes help muscle tissue repair quickly and reduce the feeling of sore muscles.
Red light therapy is often used in conjunction with near-infrared light therapy, which uses different wavelengths of light that penetrate deeper into the body. Near-infrared light therapy has also been shown to improve muscle recovery, reduce pain and inflammation, making it an ideal treatment for athletes.

 

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy is a non-invasive form of therapy that uses low-level red and near-infrared light (660-850nm) to stimulate cellular activity in the body. The red and near-infrared light penetrate the skin and stimulate the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the mitochondria, which is the primary source of energy for cells. The light energy can also be absorbed by the mitochondria for use. This increased energy production can lead to a range of therapeutic benefits:

  • Improved circulation - When blood flow increases, the amount of nutrients and oxygen delivered to the tissues also increases.

  • Improved lymphatic drainage - Light therapy can stimulate lymph drainage. This helps the body rid itself of lactic acid.

  • Reduced inflammation - When blood flow increases, the inflammation is pulled away from the area.

  • Increased collagen production - Light stimulation can help increase collagen production for tissue repair, joints, and skin flexibility.

  • Increased endorphin release - Light stimulation also encourages the body to release the natural pain reliever, endorphin hormones.

 

Red Light Therapy for Exercise Recovery

Red light therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for exercise recovery. It is important to note that red light therapy is an excellent complementary recovery option. It is beneficial to use red light therapy along with other recovery methods: rest, nutrition, protein, hydration, active recovery, flexibility recovery and listening to your body.
Here are some of the ways in which red light therapy can help support the body recovering from exercise: