The feet are a body’s main source of mobility. With 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in each foot, they bear the weight of your entire body and absorb the force of all your walking, running, and standing. It’s no wonder that they can be strained by constant use, prolonged activities on hard surfaces, and the never-ending journeys taken in a single day.
The knowledgeable podiatrist at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, understands that when you have foot pain, your entire life can be disrupted. Foot pain, fatigue, tightness, and discomfort can make the simple acts of walking and standing extremely difficult. If you have chronic foot pain or pain caused by a specific foot condition, it’s possible that red light therapy may help. This non-invasive treatment for foot pain supports circulation, cellular energy, and tissue recovery in a natural, restorative way. Here, Dr. Weaver explains the benefits of red light therapy and the ways it can help diminish foot pain.
Red Light Therapy: What to Know
Red light therapy (RLT) uses wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular processes. This light energy stimulates what’s called the mitochondria—think of it as the “power plants” of your cells—to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that’s responsible for carrying energy.
When there’s an increase in ATP production, the cells in your tendons, ligaments, nerves, and muscles can function more efficiently. This energy boost supports the body’s natural ability to maintain comfort, flexibility, and tissue integrity.
RLT, also called low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), may help:
- Stimulate faster tissue recovery after too much stress and overuse
- Promote healthy circulation in the lower legs and feet
- Promote muscle relaxation and help ease stiffness
- Reduce the sensation of heaviness or tightness in the feet
Potential Benefits of RLT: Pain Relief
A primary area of research for RLT is pain relief, specifically when that pain is associated with inflammation. These studies show that RLT can help with the following:
- Reduce inflammatory mediators in tissues, which decreases swelling and pain signals.
- Reduce the pain from heel spurs, as well as plantar fasciitis—a common cause of heel pain. It does this by targeting the fascia—the thick band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes.
- Reduce pain without the side effects of drugs like NSAIDs because it works on tissue healing rather than masking symptoms.
RLT for Muscles
For athletes, sports trainers, and other high-energy exercise enthusiasts who hope to optimize their performance and strength, reduce soreness and stiffness, and improve their recovery time after workouts, RLT may be the answer. This therapy may be able to help with the following:
- Muscle recovery. Athletes and others are using RLT to help recover faster from workouts and physical fitness routines. They may also use it to reduce the risk of injury. Research suggests that RLT lowers the levels of an enzyme associated with achiness and muscle damage after intense physical activity, and that if used just before activity, the red light may prevent the enzyme’s ability to act.
- Improved performance and strength. Some strength trainers and athletes incorporate RLT into their fitness routine to improve muscle performance and grip strength, boost endurance, and increase speed. A few small studies suggest that RLT combined with exercise may also help muscles get stronger.
- Pain management. RLT may be used to help reduce pain and improve quality of life in people who experience chronic pain or are managing acute pain from an injury. RLT may offer relief from pain caused by acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
Some studies have shown that there is a potential for accelerated skin and tissue healing with RLT—depending on the wavelength of light, frequency, and duration of the treatment. One study suggests that during the first phases of wound healing, RLT could be beneficial.
Red light therapy (RTL) may accelerate wound healing by enhancing cell activity and tissue regeneration. When your injuries heal more quickly, it reduces the risk of infection and scarring potential. Clinical research consistently supports RLT as a beneficial addition to standard wound care practices.
Whether you’re an athlete managing a muscle strain or recovering from surgery, RLT can help your body heal more efficiently. RLT may reduce inflammation and pain and promote faster tissue growth. Many surgeons and physical therapists now recommend RLT, reporting improved patient outcomes.
Possible Reduction in Need for Medications
Because RLT targets inflammation and pain, some patients find that it helps reduce the amount of medication they need for their foot pain:
- They may use fewer pain medications (including NSAIDs), reducing risks like gastrointestinal irritation or kidney strain that come with long-term drug use.
- They may rely less on corticosteroid injections or other interventions if pain and inflammation can be managed conservatively.
- They may find that RLT provides relief without systemic side effects
- RLT doesn’t replace medication in all cases, but it can complement less-medication strategies, especially for chronic conditions. Dr. Weaver will talk to you about your specific situation and how RLT may affect your need for medication.
Other Possible Benefits
RLT may also help in the following ways:
- Boost circulation by promoting nitric oxide release, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues
- Increase cellular energy (ATP), speeding repair in muscles, tendons, and connective tissues
- Support diabetic foot ulcer healing with shorter healing times and higher healing rates when used as an adjunct to usual care
Using Red Light Therapy at Home
A potential benefit of RLT is that you can have the treatment at home. Once you meet with Dr. Weaver, he may prescribe in-home use of RLT for your convenience. Our podiatry clinic recommends RedVive RLT equipment. All RedVive lights are official FDA Class II Medical Devices as well as certified for electrical safety assurance. Here are some of the benefits of at-home use and what to know if you choose this strategy:
Benefits of at-Home Use
- It’s convenient and flexible. You’re able to have the RLT whenever it works for you—especially if you work and need to have treatment in the evening. You can also use RTL without making an appointment.
- There is potential for cost savings. Instead of seeing a doctor for repeated clinic treatments, at-home devices allow you to perform the treatments and potentially save money.
Limitations and Safety Concerns
- Results may be slower or less significant with an in-home device. This may be especially true for serious conditions.
- Measurable results are usually only seen over weeks and months of use.
- Eye protection is needed, and close attention to instructions is important to avoid skin irritation and burns.
- Medical consultation with a podiatrist is necessary before you begin at home, especially if you have a serious condition, such as a foot wound or diabetic neuropathy.