NFL Players bask in Red Light Therapy
06 Feb 2025 by Ted Escobedo 2 min read
NFL players are increasingly using red light therapy, also known as photo biomodulation and low-level laser therapy, to help them recover quicker and manage pain. It's a straightforward process where the body is bathed in a special red light designed to ease pain and heal muscles faster after hard exercise. The treatment is gentle, doesn't involve surgery or drugs, and is catching on because players see it could help them get back in the game sooner and perform better. Here’s how:
• Post-Game Muscle Recovery
RLT can be used post-game to stimulate mitochondrial function in cells — essentially boosting energy production at a cellular level, which may help muscles repair themselves more efficiently.
• Injury Management and Healing
RLT is believed to reduce inflammation and pain, which are common responses to injury. By potentially speeding up the healing process, RLT offers a promising adjunct to traditional rehabilitation practices.
• Enhancing Sleep Quality
Sleep quality significantly affects recovery and performance. RLT at specific wavelengths is theorized to influence melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep cycles. Properly timed exposure to red light might assist players in achieving deeper, more restorative sleep, which is crucial for physical recovery and cognitive function.
For everyday (non-NFL) people, red light therapy may be used for the following conditions. (Although extensive research is still needed to determine its efficacy.)
• Skin health: RLT can improve skin appearance by reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne. • Pain relief: RLT can help relieve pain and inflammation in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and Achilles tendon pain.
• Wound healing: RLT can help promote wound healing and tissue repair.
• Hair growth: RLT can improve hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia.
• Cancer treatment: RLT can reduce side effects of some cancer treatments, like radiation dermatitis and lymphedema
Source: https://www.bestqool.com/blogs/news/nfl-players-re...
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- Complementary Therapies