Red light therapy (RLT), or photobiomodulation, is increasingly explored as a non-invasive treatment option for various conditions. This technique uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular functions in the body. Kidney stones, medically known as nephrolithiasis, are hard deposits that form inside the kidneys, often causing intense discomfort as they move through the urinary tract. While RLT is not a proven method for dissolving existing stones, its established effects on pain, inflammation, and cellular health suggest it may serve as a valuable complementary approach for symptom management.
Understanding Kidney Stone Formation
Kidney stones are solid masses composed of crystallized minerals and salts. They form when the urine contains a high concentration of stone-forming substances and insufficient fluid to dilute them. The most common type is calcium oxalate, but other types include uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones. Formation is often linked to diet, hydration levels, and metabolic conditions.
The process begins with nucleation, where tiny crystals appear, followed by aggregation into a stone. While deposits can remain in the kidney without issue, they cause severe, wave-like pain, known as renal colic, when they move into the narrow ureter. This pain results from the obstruction, inflammation, and spasm in the urinary tract, not the stone itself.
The Mechanism of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy (RLT) delivers non-thermal red and near-infrared light to tissues in the body. The light typically uses wavelengths between 600 and 1000 nanometers, allowing photons to penetrate the skin and reach underlying cells.
The primary biological target for this light is the mitochondria, often described as the cell’s powerhouses. A molecule within the mitochondria, cytochrome c oxidase, absorbs the photons, stimulating the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). Increasing ATP production enables cells to function more efficiently and accelerates natural repair processes. This cellular energy boost also leads to beneficial effects, including a reduction in oxidative stress and the release of nitric oxide, which improves blood circulation in the treated area.
RLT Research for Stone Treatment and Pain Relief
Current research focuses primarily on two potential applications: managing symptoms and influencing the conditions that lead to stone formation. Direct clinical trials proving RLT can dissolve existing kidney stones in humans are limited or non-existent. However, RLT’s established cellular mechanisms suggest several ways it may be helpful as a supporting treatment.
Pain Management and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
The most plausible application relates to RLT’s known analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can mitigate the severe pain of renal colic. Red light exposure helps modulate the body’s inflammatory response, reducing the chemicals that cause swelling and pain around the irritated ureter. RLT may also stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving substances.
Cellular Health and Prevention
The hypothesized benefit for stone prevention is rooted in RLT’s generalized support for kidney cellular health. In animal models of chemically-induced kidney injury, photobiomodulation has been shown to reverse oxidative stress and restore cellular energy levels. Since stone formation relates to cellular damage and inflammation caused by crystal toxicity, RLT’s ability to enhance cellular repair could theoretically discourage new stone formation.
While there is no definitive evidence that external RLT can break down stones, improving blood flow to the kidneys may enhance the body’s natural processes for clearing debris and waste. This could potentially aid in the passage of very small stones. RLT should be viewed as a non-invasive, complementary option for symptom management, not a replacement for standard medical treatments like prescription medication or surgical lithotripsy. Any use of RLT for this condition should always be discussed with a healthcare professional to ensure it is used safely alongside a comprehensive treatment plan.