Infrared light therapy offers a non-invasive approach for managing the pain and symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy. This condition involves damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, often resulting in chronic discomfort in the hands and feet. Infrared therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to target the root causes of neuropathic dysfunction at the cellular level. This treatment, known scientifically as photobiomodulation, improves nerve health and can reduce dependency on traditional pain medications.
What Neuropathy Is and Why It Hurts
Peripheral neuropathy is a collective term for disorders that occur when peripheral nerves are damaged, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The most common cause is diabetic neuropathy, resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels that impair nerve function and blood flow. Other frequent causes include chemotherapy-induced nerve damage and certain infections or autoimmune disorders.
This nerve damage manifests primarily as sensory symptoms like chronic, burning pain, electric-shock sensations, or a prickling and tingling known as paresthesia. Over time, patients may experience numbness, making them unaware of injuries, or muscle weakness and loss of balance. These symptoms typically start symmetrically in the longest nerves, affecting the feet and legs first, often described as a “stocking-glove” pattern. The pain results from damaged nerves misfiring signals or becoming hypersensitive.
The Science Behind Infrared Therapy
The mechanism by which infrared light influences nerve cells is called photobiomodulation (PBM), which relies on light absorption by cellular components. Infrared light, typically in the near-infrared spectrum of 780 to 1100 nanometers, can penetrate deep into tissues to reach the damaged peripheral nerves. This specific wavelength range is absorbed by the mitochondria, which are the energy-producing organelles within every cell.
The primary target within the mitochondria is an enzyme known as cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), the final enzyme in the respiratory chain. When CCO absorbs the photons from the infrared light, it dissociates inhibitory nitric oxide (NO) molecules that bind to it, a process that is particularly beneficial in stressed or oxygen-deprived cells. Removing this inhibitory NO allows the mitochondrial electron transport chain to run more efficiently, significantly boosting the cell’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
This increase in ATP provides the damaged nerve cells with the energy they need to repair themselves and regenerate. Furthermore, the released nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator, causing the blood vessels to widen. This vasodilation enhances microcirculation, delivering more nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood to the compromised nerve tissue, which is often starved of resources due to underlying conditions like diabetes. The overall effect is a reduction in inflammation and a restoration of cellular function, promoting nerve healing and pain reduction.
Practical Application of Treatment
Infrared therapy is delivered using specialized devices that emit light in the therapeutic near-infrared range. These devices primarily include flexible light-emitting diode (LED) pads, often referred to as Monochromatic Near-infrared Photoenergy (MIRE) devices, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) units, sometimes called Class 4 lasers. LED pads are generally used for wider surface areas, such as wrapping around the foot or leg, while laser units offer a more focused, higher-intensity treatment suitable for localized areas.
Treatment protocols vary but generally involve applying the light source directly to the affected areas, such as the soles of the feet and the hands. A typical session lasts between 20 and 40 minutes, and treatment is often administered multiple times per week. While clinical settings utilize high-power equipment for deeper penetration, home-use devices are available for daily maintenance and continued therapy. Consistent and frequent application is necessary for achieving sustained symptom relief.
Expected Results and Safety Considerations
Patients undergoing infrared therapy can anticipate several positive changes, including the reduction of neuropathic pain symptoms. Clinical data suggests improvements, including a decrease in burning pain and an increase in sensory nerve conduction velocity. This functional improvement can translate into better balance and a reduced risk of falls, enhancing the patient’s overall quality of life.
Infrared light therapy is a non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects, typically limited to a mild, temporary warming sensation in the treated area. However, safety considerations and contraindications exist to prevent complications. Treatment should be avoided over areas of active cancer or tumors, as the increased cellular activity could potentially be detrimental. Additionally, the therapy is contraindicated for use over the abdomen during pregnancy and should not be applied directly over implanted electronic devices, such as pacemakers or defibrillators, due to the theoretical risk of interference.