Red Light Therapy: What is it, Why do it, and Its Benefits.

Imagine a therapy that harnesses the power of light to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and optimize your overall health. Red Light Therapy (RLT) is a natural solution to help you recover faster, reduce pain, and enhance your overall well-being. This innovative therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to energize your body at a cellular level. There are three major advantages of RLT, which include increased production of ATP, increased production of collagen, and reduced inflammation. Three key factors when it comes to a healthy body. 

How RLT Works: 

Red Light Therapy (RLT) uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate deep into your body’s tissues and energize your cells at their core. This light targets the mitochondria, often called the "powerhouses" of your cells, which produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate)—the energy your body relies on for everything from tissue repair to fighting inflammation (which can slow healing). By boosting ATP production, RLT enhances your cells' ability to repair, regenerate, and function at their best. 

What is ATP, and why do we want more of it? 

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the primary energy source that powers every function of your cells. It fuels essential processes such as tissue repair, regeneration, muscle contraction, and overall cell performance. Essentially, ATP is what allows your cells to function at their best and supports vital activities that keep your body healthy and active.

What is Collagen, and why do we want to increase it? 

As mother nature takes over and we age, collagen decreases throughout the body. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and a critical component of connective tissues such as skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bones. It serves as a structural framework that provides strength, elasticity, and support to these tissues, making it essential for overall musculoskeletal health. Increased collagen production reduces the risk of injury while promoting 

healthier, more resilient joints.

Benefits of RLT:  

One of the most consistent effects of red light therapy is its ability to improve the healing process on top of training, making it particularly beneficial for:

• Reducing inflammation: Calms the body's inflammatory response leading to less irritation and more healing. 

• Promoting Tissue Repair: Accelerates tissue repair by stimulating ATP production in cells.

• Improving Circulation: Enhances blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to support tissue health.

• Reducing Muscle Soreness: Speeds up muscle recovery after exercise or physical strain by reducing inflammation and promoting cell production. 

• Injury Rehabilitation: Helps heal injuries faster through its anti-inflammatory effects. 

• Neurological Health: Reduces inflammation in the brain, potentially aiding in neurological conditions.

• Improving Sleep and Energy: Promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and boosts energy levels for better rest.

EMX’s mission is to provide a life without limitations through safe and effective exercise, and red light therapy is a nice complement to that. 

​​Sources: 

Huang, Y.-Y., Chen, A. C.-H., Narayan, D. S., & Carroll, J. D. (2014). Clinical applications of low-level laser therapy in neurorehabilitation. PubMed Central. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5523874/

 Kim, J. H., Jung, H. Y., & Kim, J. W. (2023). Photobiomodulation therapy as a potential treatment for arthritis: A review of mechanisms and clinical outcomes. PubMed Central. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10531845/