When hip pain strikes, your quality of life can be impacted. Suddenly, even walking up the stairs or sitting can feel intolerable.
There’s a whole range of reasons why hip pain could flare - like an injury, arthritis, tendonitis, muscle strains, or more - but when it does happen, you need to be able to manage the pain.
This is where red light therapy comes in. Red light is a completely non-invasive technique that has what you’re looking for. It’s grown in popularity considerably over the last decade, with more and more research pointing to its effectiveness.
In light of that, let’s explore the link between hip pain and red light therapy. We’ve got all of the information you need, but for those who are looking for more of the science behind the two simply jump to the final section to see the correlation.
How Does Red Light Therapy Help Hip Pain?
Red light therapy involves wavelengths of light that penetrate deep beneath the skin to stimulate processes within the cells.
These wavelengths are part of the visible light spectrum and range between 620 nm and 750 nm. While it sounds like a new treatment option due to its increase in popularity over the last decade, the healing powers of light have been used for centuries.
Now, though, the treatment is much more accessible and you can access it through an at-home device or panels. Like with other areas of the body, red light can help hip pain hugely. Let’s get into the benefits.
Provides Crucial Pain Relief
Whether you’ve recently suffered a sprain or strain, have a fracture, or are dealing with arthritis in your hip, the pain can be unbearable.
One of the most well-documented benefits of red light therapy is its ability to act as a pain reliever. It does this by promoting the body’s natural pain-killing endorphins and blocking the pain signal transmission.
These two factors result in a rapid reduction in pain when the wavelengths of light are absorbed. When using the therapy consistently, you could feel a decrease in pain.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa reviewed five placebo-controlled studies that looked at the effects of red light therapy on rheumatoid arthritis patients.
They found that red light reduced pain by 70% and lowered the stiffness felt in the morning by 27.5 minutes.
Brings Back Mobility, Allowing You To Complete Ordinary Movements and Tasks Again
One of the sneaky effects of an injury, disease, or condition is the onslaught of inflammation in the troubled area.
This is the culprit that impacts mobility, making even the smallest of tasks feel challenging. This arises when the body is trying to protect itself from viruses and bacteria, but it makes moving harder and this happens throughout the span of the injury.
Red light has anti-inflammatory effects due to the modulation of cellular processes and immune responses. The wavelengths deliver essential nutrients to the hip which aids in reducing swelling and pesky inflammation.
Speeds Up Recovery, so You Can Get Back to Your Day-to-Day Quicker Than You Thought
As discovered by NASA (through seeing astronauts’ wounds heal quicker when light therapy is applied!) this form of treatment can speed up wound healing and recovery.
It does this by improving the circulation of vital components like nutrients and oxygen which allows for regeneration to take place, along with the repair of damaged tissues.
This is a naturally occurring process in the body, but one that is sped up by the light.
A Better Night’s Sleep
On the surface, you’d think hip pain only affects that one area. But, pain can actually bring on a vicious cycle. Two out of three people with chronic pain have trouble sleeping.
And this sleep is needed to give our brain and body time to repair itself and carry out the necessary functions.
When you regularly use a therapy like red light, this assistance with pain management can bring advantages to other areas of your life - including the possibility of getting a better night's rest.
The Science Behind Red Light Therapy and Hip Pain
We now know that red light is a pain reliever, speeds up the body’s recovery process, and lowers inflammation, but let’s get into the science behind it.
This is a heavier read, but we’ve got you covered! Let’s explore the science of red light and its connection to the hip - complete with the studies to back it up.
How Red Light Therapy Works for Hip Pain?
Pain Reliever
When the wavelengths of red light are applied through a device and onto the hip, they then stimulate a series of biological processes.
Firstly, it alters the nerve cell permeability to sodium ions. Secondly, it modifies nerve thresholds which makes the nerves less excitable to pain stimuli. Both of these actions help to block the pain signal transmissions, reducing nerve irritation and bringing on an endorphin release in the process.
As such, people report less pain at rest, with activity, and with their first morning steps after the use of red light therapy.
In a study that looked at forty patients who had suffered from chronic pain for over six years, the people who received light therapy saw a substantial improvement over seven weekly sessions.
The mean pain scores in the treatment group fell from 6.9 out of 10 at the beginning of the study to just 3 out of 10 by the end.
Inflammation Reduced
The primary cause of pain and reduced mobility in some people is due to the release of inflammatory substances by cells in response to local inflammation. This is brought on as the transduction of cell signals is stimulated to produce pain-causing substances.
Prostaglandin E2 is an offender in the pain-inducing process. In a study, light therapy was found to “effectively reduce” COX-2 content, “leading to the inhibition of PGE2 production, relieving pain, and swelling in joints.”
It was also found to “inhibit metalloprotein enzymes, alleviating the erosion and degradation of joint issues and components, preserving the normal function of joints.”
With red light promoting anti-inflammatory effects, the nasty side effects of this are lowered - including the pain that it can bring on.
Tissues, Bone, and Muscle Heal Quicker With Red Light
The cellular changes that are triggered by red light accelerate the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
This means enhanced tissue regeneration, collagen remodeling, angiogenesis, and nerve healing can all take place. In turn, this gradually relates to the rebuilding of strength, stability, and function.
One of the ways this occurs is through the enhancement of the mitochondrial function through the absorption of photons by mitochondrial chromophores. This continues to greater cellular respiration, resulting in an increased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
ATP is a powerhouse as it’s the source of energy that supports and drives the processes in living cells. So, when red light is applied, ATP can correctly go through the stages of glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.
In a study by NASA, U.S. Navy crews were supplied with LED devices. When used, these produced “more than a 40 percent greater improvement in musculoskeletal injuries and a 50 percent faster healing time for lacerations, compared to control groups.”
Medical Grade Red Light Therapy Device for Hip pain
Medical grade red light therapy (RLT) for hip pain can be delivered at home - removing the need to travel far and wide to expensive medical clinics to access the power of light.
Now, it can be found through RLT devices and panels. The choice will come down to why you’re using the therapy. If you’re looking for targeted relief, a device is the way to go as panels are much broader meaning the light won’t be able to focus on the hip alone.
With Kineon’s MOVE+ Pro, the wireless device was created as a solution for the CEO’s chronic pain.
The device is completely portable and includes 8 660nm deep red LEDs per module and 10 808nm infrared lasers per module.
It can be strapped around the hip, delivering key treatment while you can carry on with daily tasks and errands.
Unlike panels, the device can focus on specific areas to help you access the benefits whenever you need them most.
To join the thousands who are already using the MOVE+ Pro to help their pain, reduce inflammation, and encourage healing in the hip, check out the device here.
P.S. Read through over 800 reviews to see what our customers have to say about hip pain and red light therapy!
One user, who said she’s been suffering from knee pain for years and had developed a hip injury after falling, described the device as “life changing!”
“Limped for weeks and weeks and was desperately trying to find something to help with pain and inflammation and I was not able to sleep.
That’s when I saw an ad for the move + pro… best money I have ever spent!!! I use it several times per day and now I can sleep pain free!
“Highly recommend… you have nothing to lose!!!”
Hip Pain and Red Light Therapy: Your Questions Answered
Is Red Light Therapy Helpful for Hip Pain?
Red light therapy is helpful for hip pain as its benefits include alleviating acute and chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair.
If you’re suffering from arthritis in the joint, light therapy has been shown to improve joint function and reduce pain in individuals with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation and boosting cartilage repair.
In contrast, if you’ve had a hip replacement and are now facing the painfully long recovery times - RLT has been proven in clinical trials to provide a significant reduction in pain and a faster recovery time post-surgery.
It does this by triggering tissue healing and regrowth in the area. Similarly, the light increases blood circulation which ignites cellular activity and allows for more oxygen and nutrients to reach the injured hip.
How Often Should You Use Red Light Therapy on Hip Pain?
One of the best things about red light therapy is you can use it for hip pain as often as you’d like. In fact, it can be used frequently without adverse effects.
However, we don’t typically recommend using RLT for hours at a time. Instead, just 10 - 20 minutes will do at least three to four times a week.
If you’re able to get into a good routine, consider implementing the therapy daily for a short session. Consistency is key with red light.
We wrote a full article on how often you can use red light therapy here.
Can You Treat Hip Pain at Home?
You absolutely can treat hip pain at home due to advanced technology which has made this possible.
This can be done through an at-home red light therapy device like Kineon’s MOVE+ Pro.
It’s a small device but it sure does pack a punch. The MOVE+ Pro is a game-changer for reducing pain, improving recovery, and lowering inflammation in the hip.
The red light therapy model comes with 8 deep red (660nm) LEDs and 10 infrared (808nm) laser diodes which means you get the benefit of both wavelengths in one portable and wireless device.
Best of all, you can strap the MOVE+ Pro around your hip (or any other areas that are causing you trouble) and go about your errands or daily activities.
We wrote a full article on using red light therapy at home here.
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