In use in Europe and Asia for 20 years, infrared light therapy for treatment of chronic pain and soft tissue and nerve injuries is now catching on in the United States.

In my practice, photonic stimulation, also referred to as infrared light therapy, has reduced patients’ pain, stimulated nerve function and circulation, and promoted tissue healing. The infrared light therapy instrument that I use is a patented Food and Drug Administration-approved device that uses low-intensity infrared light to treat a diverse range of pathologies. I have found it beneficial for patients experiencing acute and chronic pain, soft tissue injury, and trigger points in nerve injury. It helps circulatory disorders by improving metabolism, circulation, and providing analgesic, ant-iinflammatory and anti-edematous effects as well as wound-healing benefits. Common treatable syndromes include arthritides, epicondylitis, headaches, disc problems, myofascial pain, neuralgia/neuritis, sciatica, restless leg syndrome, muscle spasm, trigger points, sprains/strains, swelling, Raynaud’s syndrome, Bell’s palsy, and postsurgical pain.

Light therapy can improve the function of neural pathways as well as stimulate the release of endorphins (natural pain killers). It can stimulate the autonomic nervous system, create a parasympathetic response, and reduce nerve-induced pain and muscle spasms. Light therapy has also been successful with musculoskeletal pain. In fact, light therapy may also relax tightened muscles so that the injured dysfunctional joint receives more fluid and more symmetrical movement.

The Light Touch
An infrared light therapy device emits small beams of light called photons to targeted areas of a patient’s trauma or pain. The theory is that many of the photons penetrate 2 cm to 3 cm into tissue, reacting with electrons to energize the dysfunctional sympathetic nerve cell membrane by setting off a chain reaction in the C-fibers nerve membrane.

This therapy has many advantages over other modalities that provide more short-term relief with increased circulation and a mild healing effect. It does not require gels, lotions, pads, or towels and can be used directly over the spine. It is even safe over metal or plastic implants, glues, sutures, pacemakers, and spinal-cord stimulators.

To get started with the infrared light therapy, I simply place the wand over areas such as trigger points, acupuncture points, and major nerve plexuses. Because it is a safe and painless treatment, infrared light therapy can be used with other modalities, such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation. With the device I use, patients generally do not feel much immediate sensation, though some will experience tingling, prickling or short, transient minor pain. I can increase or decrease the intensity and frequency of the photon beam depending on the patient, the condition, and the affected parts of the body. Depending on the problem, I typically treat a patient two to three times a week until the condition improves. Most patients generally notice improvements after the first week of treatment, others may take longer.

I was first introduced to light therapy at a seminar I attended, where the manufacturer gave me a trial product to use. The success of light therapy with my patients induced me to purchase my own device, and I now have three light therapy products in my practice. I have been using infrared light therapy at my clinic for 2 years, and it has become an integral part of my treatment regime. Even though it is a relatively new technology, I turn to it when other modalities fail.

Cases In Point
I treated a 21-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who had an acute onset of severe neck and shoulder pain. The average range of motion (ROM) in her neck and left shoulder was severely decreased. Her lower cervical spine, left trapezius muscle, and shoulder muscles were very tender.

After her first treatment, I decided to use infrared light therapy. I started with treatments at four points in her neck and down her left shoulder and arm, with an infrared intensity of 50% for a minute at each point. The patient reported no change after the first treatment. However, four treatments later, her pain was gone. After the sixth treatment, she felt good overall and I increased the infrared light intensity to 100% on the same points. I also started to focus on specific points on the sympathetic ganglionic chain on the left side of her neck.

With continued infrared light therapy treatments, the patient continued to feel better and more energetic. The patient’s mother said she had noticed a great improvement in her daughter. For example, she used to hold her arm at her side with the elbow extended and her arm internally rotated and hand/wrist in slight palmar flexion. This problem would typically lead to increased muscle spasms on her entire left side, eventually reaching to the right side. Her mother reported that since treatment, her daughter began to use her left hand and arm with less effort and was able to wash dishes with both hands. Also, her speech quality had significantly improved and her energy doubled.

Another case involved a 44-year-old woman who complained of constant lower right abdominal pain. The patient had suffered a stroke when she was 8 and had a slight left-sided hemiplegia—leaving her with limited fine motor skills, signs of spasticity, and finger and wrist flexion. Her entire left side revealed a marked hypoaesthesia.

She suffered with the abdominal pain for 6 years despite extensive diagnostic testing, which included magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and a total body bone scan. The pain increased with sitting and walking, and it tended to be worse around her menstrual cycle. I treated her with photonic stimulation three times a week for 2 weeks, and decreased treatment to twice a week after that. The patient is now pain free most of the time, with an increase in energy level. She can walk several hours without an increase of symptoms. She is able to use hand tools with her left hand and for the first time since she was 8, she has such improved skin sensation that she can feel raindrops on the left side of her face.

In yet another case, a 45-year-old woman with fibromyalgia responded well to the infrared light therapy. Prior to treatment, she reported pain and stiffness all over her body. Following infrared light therapy, her neck had more ROM and she felt less stiff. Her shoulders relaxed and softened, allowing her chest to open and breathe fully. In addition, she had more warmth and circulation in her hands and feet.

Although infrared light therapy has been used for 20 years throughout Europe and Asia, its popularity and validity is just beginning to catch on in the United States. As long as I continue to get positive results in my practice, count me as a believer. CP

Petra Eggert, DC, PT, owns IntraHealth, a clinic in Cupertino, Calif, that combines physical therapy, chiropractic, spa, and gym facilities. Eggert can be reached via email: petradcpt@hotmail.com.