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Space and Red Light Therapy (Here’s What You Need to Know)

Updated: Jun 19


The journey of Red Light Therapy (RLT) began in the 1980s with NASA’s research about the plant's growth in space. Researched by NASA, RLT helps wounds heal faster, reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes skin health by increasing collagen production. 


Using this therapy, athletes can quickly recover their muscles and perform even better. It also improves joint mobility, neurological health, and, of course, mood.


woman-receiving-red-light-therapy


How Red Light Therapy Had A Kickstart In Space? 


NASA scientists found that specific wavelengths of light, especially red and near-infrared light, were good for plant growth. 


The findings also improved the growth of plant photosynthesis. Due to this, researchers became curious about light therapy’s possible improvement on human health and performance in space. 


Later, they found that astronauts in space stayed longer and developed muscle atrophy, lost bone density, and decreased sleep capacity as the orbit prolonged. 


For light therapy, red and NIR were discovered and can penetrate human tissue, promoting the production of energy in the cells and tissue repair and regeneration.


Hence, in the 1990s, NASA furthered its experiment with humans for red light therapy. They used light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with special wavelengths of red or NRI lights. 


LEDs were placed at various locations designed to direct the light to penetrate astronauts’ body tissue. 


The result of the insurrection was a good improvement with LED therapy for wound healing because the first discovery NASA made led to faster recovery of wounds and reduced muscle spasms if affected. 



A Few Studies on RLT from NASA


In the 80s, scientists from NASA started looking at using light-emitting diodes to grow plants in space. 


They discovered that certain types of light, like red and far-infrared, are very useful in enabling them to grow better. 


This research has led to great advancements in the area of how wounds heal and tissues repair. 


Today, scientists apply red light therapy when they need someone to heal faster. Thus, NASA’s research for almost fifty years has been valuable.


When NASA continued to research LED technology, they discovered something unexpected. 


The lights seemed to help scientists' hand cuts heal faster. Therefore, this situation became the push to encourage scientists to engage in such activities. 


In turn, they were amazed by the benefits of red light therapy for humans. For this reason, they dedicated more time to exploring the field and enhancing its properties for better human healing processes.


In one of the studies funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA, the scientists used high-intensity red and near-infrared LEDs to facilitate healing in bone, muscle, and skin cells without oxygen. They used this technique on both malignant and rabbit cells, and the results were positive. 


When this method was applied to nurses of the U.S. Navy hospital, the musculoskeletal injuries increased by more than 40% while the healing time was cut short by more than 50% for those who did not use the therapy. 



Benefits


The following is a list of some of the beneficial effects of red light therapy :


  1. Enhanced Wound Healing


Red light therapy helps increase cellular activity and collagen production, thus providing faster healing to wounds, cuts, or injuries. 


It also enhances blood circulation and reduces inflammation, thereby allowing faster healing and tissue repair mechanisms. fit-reduced pain and inflammation. 


This is generally achieved by modulating inflammation and promoting the release of immune cells into the bloodstream.



2. Improved Skin Health


RLT is responsible for providing firmer, more elastic, and younger skin by generating greater collagen synthesis in the skin as well as elastics. 


It usually shrinks or erases skin wrinkles or frown lines, fine wrinkles of your skin in superficial layers. It has a similar effect to our unique Sculpting Facial Massage.


model-portrait


3. Muscle Regeneration and Performance Boost 


Red light therapy improves muscle recovery and growth, helping athletes return to high-level exercise more quickly than alternatives. 


With consistent use, muscle recovery, fatigue, muscle soreness, and inflammation all accelerate, and performance increases.



4. Joint Health and Mobility


RLT helps fight joint pain and enhance your range of motion (as long as you use the therapy devices correctly). 


This is done by reducing or eliminating inflammation in the joints, improving lubrification, or promoting additional cartilage growth.



5. Neuronal Health


Red light therapy might be good for your brain and have neuroprotective effects, which could: 


  • Enhance cognitive function

  • Improve mitochondrial function 

  • Increase cerebral blood flow

  • Support neuron growth and survival


However, more research is being conducted to figure out how valid and solid these claims are. 



6. Mood Enhancement


RLT is highly beneficial for keeping you at bay from being a depressive, manic swing, or having a seasonal affective disorder


It is also frequently used to modulate mood or bipolar disorders.



Intrigued by the potential of red light therapy? Costs can vary depending on factors like treatment location and duration.


Fortunately, online resources offer valuable insights. Consider exploring them to understand the typical cost range and available treatment options.


This will help you make an informed decision about whether red light therapy aligns with your wellness goals.



Red Light Therapy and Massage: A Powerful Duo for Wellness


Red light therapy and massage are both gaining popularity for their potential health benefits. When combined, they can offer an even more comprehensive approach to promoting well-being.


The Synergy:


  • Red light therapy can potentially prepare the body for massage by reducing inflammation and pain. This allows for a deeper and more effective massage experience.


  • Massage can further enhance the benefits of red light therapy by improving blood flow. This helps circulate the red light more effectively throughout the body.


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