Did you ever wake up with a stiff neck and could hardly turn your head without pain? Or felt extreme pain from a rotator cuff injury in your shoulder that limited your range of motion, stopping you from moving your arm to do necessary tasks?

Almost everyone has experienced either one or both of these painful scenarios at some point in their lives. But if you had a Red Light/Infrared Therapy system at your disposal, just a simple and easy twenty-minute therapy session would be all that was needed to reduce your pain and stiffness and have you feeling a whole lot better!

Red Light/Infrared Therapy

Rather than taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil, Motrin IB, Aleve or Tylenol, muscle relaxants (or even corticosteroid or lidocaine injections for more acute and chronic cases of neck and shoulder pain) why not try Red Light/Infrared Therapy? Red Light/Infrared Therapy is non-invasive, painless, effective, simple, and very easy to administer by a health practitioner or by the patients themselves in the comfort of their own homes.

Red Light/Infrared Therapy is consistently dependable in its ability to provide fast and effective pain relief. And Red Light/Infrared Therapy also increases circulation, reduces swelling and stiffness, and stimulates, accelerates, and supports the body’s own innate healing processes, eventually regenerating nerves and tissues - something which pain relievers and muscle relaxants cannot possibly do.

Relieves Musculoskeletal Pain

Light therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for various musculoskeletal disorders, Including”delayed-onset muscle soreness. [1]  For more than forty-five years, peer-reviewed scientific studies have found that Red Light/Infrared Therapy, “has been shown to reduce inflammation and edema, induce analgesia, and promote healing in a range of musculoskeletal pathologies. [2] Acute conditions of the neck and shoulder such as whiplash injury or sprains and strains, and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis (a common cause of neck pain), Rheumatoid arthritis (which can contribute to shoulder problems), and frozen shoulder are amenable [3] to Red Light/Infrared Therapy.

Supports Cartilage, Tendons, and Nerves

Furthermore, medical research has found that “low doses of light have demonstrated the ability to heal skin, nerves, tendons, cartilage and bones. [4]  Red Light/Infrared Therapy’s success in supporting the body’s ability to heal cartilage, tendons, and nerves is especially important for those suffering from neck pain, which can be caused by worn joint cartilage and nerve compression; and from shoulder pain, which can come from the tendons surrounding the shoulder joint.

Proven to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Pain

Red Light/Infrared Therapy’s ability to effectively reduce pain in conditions affecting both the neck and the shoulders has been scientifically proven. For example:

Neck Pain: A 2009 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Lancet found that Red Light/Infrared Therapy, “reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain. [5]

Shoulder Pain: A 2014 systematic review focusing on light therapy treatment effects in shoulder tendinopathy concluded that Red Light/Infrared Therapy, can offer clinically relevant pain relief and initiate a more rapid course of improvement, both alone and in combination with physiotherapy interventions. [6]

Best Neck and Shoulder Pads

Whether you suffer from occasional or chronic neck and/or shoulder pain, Energia Medical offersfour pads that are perfect for treating both of these areas: the Small 90 Pad, the Long 180 Pad, the Large 264 Body Pad, and the 96 Shoulder/Knee pad. Here is what each pad offers:

Energia Medical’s Small 90 Diode Pad:

The size and rectangular shape of this pad make it ideal for treating the front or the back of the neck, as well as the shoulder area. At 9.8" X 4.5", this pad offers 90 LED’s: 45 infrared (850nm) and 45 red (660nm), with an output of 3,240 joules per 20 minute treatment. The small size of this 90 pad makes placement extremely easy, allowing it to also be used on practically every other area of the body. Other Uses: the wrist, hand, arm, elbow, stomach, back, calf, thigh, or jaw, making this pad the perfect therapy system for the whole family. For practitioners, this pad is the perfect starter pad for growing your Light Therapy system.

Energia Medical’s Long 180 Diode Pad:

The Long 180 Diode Pad offers 180 LED’s: 60 red (660 nm) and 120 infrared (850 nm), with an output of 6,480 joules per 20 minute treatment. This long and thin pad measures 5" X 16", and is excellent for the neck or up and down the shoulder around the rotator cuff. Other Uses: This pad can also be wrapped around the elbow; the knee; the leg; the foot; the arm; the wrist; and the ankle. Or used vertically down the length of the leg, or horizontally to treat either the front or the back of both legs or both thighs, or the tops or the soles of both feet.

Energia Medical’s Large 264 Diode Pad:

This large rectangular 8" x 15" pad is extremely easy to use to wrap over one entire shoulder, or if placed horizontally across the upper back, can reach both shoulders. It can also be used to treat the neck if the patient leans back upon it and there is a towel or other soft fabric behind the pad to better conform it to the neck. The Large 264 Diode Pad offers 264 LED’s: 120 red (660 nm) and 144 infrared (850 nm), with an output of 10,843 joules per 20 minute treatment. Other Uses: This pad can also treat both hands at once, or the feet by placing one foot or both feet directly on it, or the ankle area, the chest, the entire spine, the knee, or the upper and lower arm.

Energia Medical’s Shoulder, Knee, and Elbow 96 Diode Pad:

The pad features 96 total LED’s with 48 Red (660nm) and 48 Infrared (850nm). This uniquely-shaped pad with a circular cut-out for the joint is flexible and versatile. The two built in straps allow for the best adjustment for the impacted joint. It produces 3,740 joules during the 20 minute treatment.

Therapy Pad Packages Save Time and Money

Energia Medical offers both home users and health practitioners the opportunity to save time and money by purchasing multiple light therapy pads in convenient packages:

• Expandable Starter System: A Large 264 Pad and a Long 180 Pad plus a 3-Port Controller
• Whole Body Core Package: Two Large 264 Pads plus a 3-Port Controller
  
• Whole Body Enhanced Package: Two Large 264 Pads, a Long 180 Pad, and a 90 Small Pad plus a 6-Port Controller.

 Additional Pad Packages are also available. Please contact us for more information.

In Conclusion

Whether you suffer from occasional or chronic neck and/or shoulder pain, Red Light/Infrared Therapy will bring quick and effective relief from pain and stiffness while triggering, accelerating, and supporting your body’s own healing processes.  Contact Energia Medical LLC at 860-707-4220 or via email to learn more about how Red Light/Infrared Therapy systems from Energia Medical can help you and/or your patients.  Energia Medical provides the best quality, most durable, and most powerful clinical-strength Red Light/Infrared Therapy systems available in today’s marketplace to successfully meet the needs of any individual, family, or health practice. 

References

[1] Lin YP, Su YH, Chin SF, Chou YC, Chia WT. Light-emitting diode photobiomodulation therapy for non-specific low back pain in working nurses: A single-center, double-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Aug 7;99(32):e21611. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021611. PMID: 32769919; PMCID: PMC7592994, p. 1.

[2] Cotler, Howard B. et al. The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol. 2015 ; 2(5): . doi:10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068, p. 1.

[3] Ibid., p. 4.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet. 2009 Dec 5;374(9705):1897-908. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1. Epub 2009 Nov 13. Erratum in: Lancet. 2010 Mar 13;375(9718):894. PMID: 19913903, p.1.

[6] Haslerud S, Magnussen LH, Joensen J, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. The efficacy of low-level laser therapy for shoulder tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Physiother Res Int. 2015 Jun;20(2):108-25. doi: 10.1002/pri.1606. Epub 2014 Dec 2. PMID: 25450903, p. 1.

Photobiomodulation, or altering cellular function using light, is an emerging treatment modality that is increasingly gaining clinical significance. [1] Research shows that light at a specific wavelength is able to penetrate the skin and promote cellular regeneration and tissue repair. [2] The benefits of Light Therapy are now also being explored on dogs, cats, and horses, with positive results. LED devices are being used on animals to address several health concerns such as musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic back pain.

Is LED Light Effective?

In 1993, NASA sponsored a study to investigate the effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on plant growth. [3] After receiving positive results, NASA decided to see if LEDs could be used for photobiomodulation therapy. In the late 1990s, their Medicine Program created NASA LED, a quasimonochromatic light source with narrow divergence and great power output. This was a handheld LED device that received FDA clearance in 2003.

Research in recent decades has shown photon emitters, like LEDs, to be efficient light sources for photobiomodulation, proving that treatment characteristics like wavelength, irradiance, and fluence, rather than the technical type of light source, are more likely to be responsible for the effects. [4]

How Does Light Therapy Work?

Photobiomodulation, phototherapy, or Red Light Therapy (RLT) is the use of red and/or infrared light to stimulate the body’s regenerative processes by increasing cellular proliferation. [5] Specific wavelengths of light are shown to stimulate fibroblasts, resulting in various health benefits. Mitochondrial photostimulation through LED has been shown to improve cellular functions by up to 200%, decrease wound healing time by up to 40%, and reduce pain by 47%. [6]

The Benefits of LED Light Therapy for Dogs

Since RLT is effective for the management of musculoskeletal pain and tendon and joint problems, it can be beneficial for several canine illnesses. [7]  One research project studied the effectiveness of photobiomodulation on chronic wound healing in 21 dogs. [8] After 15 days of usage, the results showed that when compared to the sham group, wound size had significantly reduced in all groups that received LED Light Therapy. The study suggested that photobiomodulation can improve wound healing and reduce treatment duration in dogs.

Osteoarthritis is a common health concern among aging dogs and hounds. A study showed that six weeks of RLT improved lameness, reduced pain, and lowered NSAID requirements in 9 out of 11 dogs with elbow arthritis. [9]

How is Light Therapy Helpful for Horses?

Since Red Light accelerates the healing process, it is found to be very useful in addressing various equine concerns such as soft tissue injuries, back pain, tendon problems, cuts, and wounds. [10]  LED Light Therapy also stimulates the production of collagen, inhibiting the formation of scar tissue, finding benefits in equine post-operative care. [11] Photobiomodulation also stimulates the production of Nitric Oxide, and may help address peripheral neuropathies in horses. [12]

Light Therapy can be used not only to address equine health concerns but also to keep your horses fit. Photobiomodulation through LED light can also be an advantage in sports performance for athletic horses. It can be either delivered as a pre-treatment before an event, as a post-treatment to address muscle soreness and other problems, or just to maintain the overall fitness.  [13]

Red Light Therapy for Cats

Research shows that red and infrared light radiation can activate cellular signaling pathways in mammals. [14]  LED light increases blood circulation, which results in providing more oxygen and nutrients to the hypoxic cells, resulting in accelerated wound healing. [15]  Since RLT is able to accelerate the body’s healing process and can enhance cellular activity, it can be used to treat a number of conditions in cats:

• Joint or tendon issues
• Muscle pain and soreness
  
• Osteoarthritis
  
• Infection
  
• Muscle strain and sprain
  
• Chronic low back pain

Light Therapy is a safe, painless, non-invasive, and side-effect-free treatment modality that can boost the health of your dogs, cats or horses. Energia Medical offers FDA-registered LED pads that can be strapped on or simply placed on your animals. These pads come in various sizes and shapes and can be used anywhere on the body. Our customizable pads have specific wavelengths of light including both red and infrared light. For more information, call us at 860-707-4220 or email Rob.

Citations

[1]Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang YY, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 Feb;40(2):516-33. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7. Epub 2011 Nov 2. PMID: 22045511; PMCID: PMC3288797.

[2]Calderhead, R. G. (2007). The photobiological basics behind light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy.Laser Therapy,16(2), 97-108.

[3]NASA. (2008).LED device illuminates new path to healing | NASA spinoff. NASA Spinoff.https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/hm_3.htmlNASA Spinoff.https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/hm_3.html

[4]Smith KC. Laser (and LED) therapy is phototherapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Feb;23(1):78-80. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.78. PMID: 15782040.Laser (and LED) therapy is phototherapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Feb;23(1):78-80. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.78. PMID: 15782040.

[5]Rohringer S, Holnthoner W, Chaudary S, Slezak P, Priglinger E, Strassl M, Pill K, Mühleder S, Redl H, Dungel P. The impact of wavelengths of LED light-therapy on endothelial cells. Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 6;7(1):10700. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11061-y. PMID: 28878330; PMCID: PMC5587748.

[6]Whelan HT, Smits RL Jr, Buchman EV, Whelan NT, Turner SG, Margolis DA, Cevenini V, Stinson H, Ignatius R, Martin T, Cwiklinski J, Philippi AF, Graf WR, Hodgson B, Gould L, Kane M, Chen G, Caviness J. Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on wound healing. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2001 Dec;19(6):305-14. doi: 10.1089/104454701753342758. PMID: 11776448.

[7]Anders, J.J., Ketz, A.K. and Wu, X. (2017). Basic Principles of Photobiomodulation and Its Effects at the Cellular, Tissue, and System Levels. In Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (eds R.J. Riegel and J.C. Godbold).https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119220190.ch5

[8]Hoisang S, Kampa N, Seesupa S, Jitpean S. Assessment of wound area reduction on chronic wounds in dogs with photobiomodulation therapy: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Vet World. 2021 Aug;14(8):2251-2259. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2251-2259. Epub 2021 Aug 28. PMID: 34566346; PMCID: PMC8448658.

[9]Looney AL, Huntingford JL, Blaeser LL, Mann S. A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis. Can Vet J. 2018 Sep;59(9):959-966. PMID: 30197438; PMCID: PMC6091142.

[10]Douris P, Southard V, Ferrigi R, Grauer J, Katz D, Nascimento C, Podbielski P. Effect of phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006 Jun;24(3):377-82. doi: 10.1089/pho.2006.24.377. PMID: 16875447.

[11]Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24286286; PMCID: PMC3926176.

[12]Keszler A, Lindemer B, Weihrauch D, Jones D, Hogg N, Lohr NL. Red/near infrared light stimulates release of an endothelium dependent vasodilator and rescues vascular dysfunction in a diabetes model. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 Dec;113:157-164. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.09.012. Epub 2017 Sep 19. Erratum in: Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Feb 1;131:443. PMID: 28935419; PMCID: PMC5699925.

[13]Ferraresi C, Huang YY, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance? J Biophotonics. 2016 Dec;9(11-12):1273-1299. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201600176. Epub 2016 Nov 22. PMID: 27874264; PMCID: PMC5167494.

[14]Karu TI. Mitochondrial signaling in mammalian cells activated by red and near-IR radiation. Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Sep-Oct;84(5):1091-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2008.00394.x. Epub 2008 Jul 18. PMID: 18651871.

[15]Frangez I, Cankar K, Ban Frangez H, Smrke DM. The effect of LED on blood microcirculation during chronic wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic patients-a prospective, double-blind randomized study. Lasers Med Sci. 2017 May;32(4):887-894. doi: 10.1007/s10103-017-2189-7. Epub 2017 Mar 25. PMID: 28342007.