Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

What is infrared light therapy treatment?

Infrared light therapy treatment is used, among other things, for chronic pain in muscles and joints. Infrared light therapy also provides proven increased healing effect, proven effect against knee osteoarthritis pain and also increases endorphin levels.

What is Infrared Light Therapy?

Infrared light therapy is an alternative treatment technique that is used in the treatment of, among other things sore muscles and painful areas of the body. The treatment uses infrared energy that is converted from electricity. The infrared (heat) energy is delivered to the areas treated with a normal energy level between 800-1200 nm. Most appliances contain safety mechanisms that turn off the treatment if the temperature rises above 42 degrees. Infrared light therapy is also known as IR therapy or IR therapy.

Infrared light therapy has proven effective against chronic low back pain (Gale et al, 2006), knee osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis pain.

Here is an example of an infrared light therapy device that can be used for home use. Click the link below or here  to read more about this.

Read more: Beurer IL 50 Infrared heat lamp 300W

The devices are also in editions specialized for clinical use.

How does infrared light therapy proceed?

Normally, infrared light therapy or energy treatment can be applied directly to the therapist, but there are also covers that can be used - including for the lower back. With these covers, the user is encouraged to stay active when he uses the cover to get the most out of the treatment.

- What is a trigger point?

A trigger point, or muscle node, occurs when muscle fibers have departed from their normal orientation and regularly contract into a more knot-like formation. You may think of it as if you have several strands lying in a row next to each other, nicely assorted, but when placed crosswise you are closer to a visual image of a muscle knot.This may be due to a sudden overload, but most normally it is due to gradual failure over an extended period of time. A muscle becomes painful, or symptomatic, when the dysfunction becomes so severe that it becomes pain. In other words, it's time to do something about it.

Also read: - Muscle pain? This is why!

Also read: Ginger for muscle pain?

Also read: Hwhat is cupping / vacuum treatment?

Sources:

Gale et al, 2006. Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized, controlled trial. Pain Res Manag. 2006 Autumn; 11 (3): 193–196.

Nakkeprolaps.no (Learn everything you need to know about neck prolapse, including exercises and prevention).

Vitalistic-Chiropractic.com (A comprehensive search index where you can find a recommended therapist).