I was getting hopeful reading all the posts on Red Light Therapy (and ready to maybe give it a go)..then read this. Now confused.

[Sane1]

healthybutsmart.com/evidenc...

[Bolt_Upright]

Great find! It was not all bad news in there. The way I read this is red light probably does work for some things. Just not all the things people in FB groups say it works for. I'm glad I am using a cheap $40 red light for now.

I found these bits in the article:

"In the end, all we know is that there are positive results of red light application on inflammatory conditions"

"One thing that can be said about red light therapy or LLLT is that it is safe. It may not help with your condition, but it won’t make it worse. There is no indication that you may suffer any side effects from it."

This is couched as negative, but seems kind of positive:

"Does red light therapy help immune function?

Direct evidence for an immune-stimulating effect of red light therapy was obtained in animal models and the focus of research has been an acute inflammatory response rather than actual immune function changes (23). Until there is evidence for its effect on humans, you’d better not consider this option." I followed the link (23) to this pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/229... "LLLT showed systemic and skeletal muscle anti-inflammatory effects in rats with HF"

"Conclusion

Red light therapy has been used for decades, and for decades it has been proved useful. The question is what it is useful for. It seems the claims that it has mysterious molecular properties and that its panaceaic effects are a result of those are unfounded. The panaceaic effects, themselves, seem to be overstated.

Red light therapy is helpful with pain and inflammation, as it has been used from the beginning. More than that, there is not only no consistent evidence, but no real mechanism to support the claims.

Does that mean we shouldn’t use it? No: it means it is an interesting device for pain, joint, and musculoskeletal inflammation and a few other inflammatory conditions. It is safe, cheap and devoid of side effects, as compared to other therapeutic strategies."

[Sane1 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Well thank you for putting that in perspective for me. Was hesitant to bother with trying if it would give me only the same results I get with my TENS. However you see this glass as half full...and I usually say "If it won't hurt and it might help..why not?"

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Sane1]

You are welcome. This is the red light I have: Red Light Therapy Device | Power Cord & Base Included | 24W | Red and Near IR ebay.com/itm/283586857898

[Sane1 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Thank you for your light link. The price and stats are right. I was thinking the light had to be more focused therefore had to be like a pad of some sort to put in a helmet or lay on the abdomen or even wrap an extremity...back to reviewing data.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Sane1]

Somebody here posted about taking this pad and wrapping it around their head: Bestqool Red Light Therapy Belt 660&850nm Flexible Wearable Wrap LED Therapy Large Pad for Back Shoulder Joints Muscle Pain Relief amazon.com/dp/B08ZMJMJGD/?c...

$160. I will stick with pointing my light at the back of my head for now. I got a utility light bulb holder at the HW store and taped it to an old microphone stand and keep it behind my recumbent bike. Wear your eye protection.

[Bitsy in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Hi Bolt-Upright, Check out redlightsonthebrain.blog/ta... also wellred.com.au

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Bitsy]

Thanks. That is a good site.

[Bitsy]

Give it a go, as the research says it can't hurt and it may even help. I have just started it and I am hopeful. Lots of positive anecdotal reports. I will personally document any benefits. So far feeling more energised and motivated after 2 weeks. Cheers

[TL500 in reply to Bitsy]

Which red light are you using? Thanks

[Bitsy in reply to TL500]

Hi TL500 I am using the bucket developed by the men's shed in Tasmania by Dr Catherine Hamilton and based on the current research of Professor John Mitrofanis a world leader in research into the effects of red and near infrared light in Parkinson's Disease and currently Professor of Anatomy at Sydney University. Dr Hamilton has developed an improved red light helmet. i.e. fits better and turns itself off after the appropriate time, in collaboration with engineer Ron Brown. The web address is wellred.com.au I hope this helps. Cheers

[TL500 in reply to Bitsy]

Thanks Bitsy. I bought one from her maybe

[TL500 in reply to Bitsy]

two years ago. I do use it regularly. I didn't feel the effects. I might try again. Thanks

[TL500 in reply to TL500]

Sorry typo. Didn't use it regularly.

[Bitsy in reply to TL500]

Also check out redlightsonthebrain.blog/ta...

[TL500 in reply to Bitsy]

Thanks

[Sane1 in reply to Bitsy]

Ditto TL500

[Bitsy in reply to Sane1]

Hi Sane1, I am using the bucket developed by the men's shed in Tasmania by Dr Catherine Hamilton and based on the current research of Professor John Mitrofanis a world leader in research into the effects of red and near infrared light in Parkinson's Disease and currently Professor of Anatomy at Sydney University. Dr Hamilton has developed an improved red light helmet. i.e. fits better and turns itself off after the appropriate time, in collaboration with engineer Ron Brown. The web address is wellred.com.au I hope this helps. Cheers

[beehive23]

tried it for years never felt a thing. hang tough..

[Bitsy in reply to beehive23]

Sorry to hear that beehive23 but check out the site well red.com.au I am using the bucket developed by the men's shed in Tasmania by Dr Catherine Hamilton and based on the current research of Professor John Mitrofanis a world leader in research into the effects of red and near infrared light in Parkinson's Disease and currently Professor of Anatomy at Sydney University. Dr Hamilton has developed an improved red light helmet. i.e. fits better and turns itself off after the appropriate time, in collaboration with engineer Ron Brown. Cheers

[Bitsy in reply to Bitsy]

Also check out redlightsonthebrain.blog/ta...

[TL500 in reply to beehive23]

Is it the same manufacturer?And what time of the day did you use it? Thanks

[Rhyothemis]

The article did not review a lot of the peer reviewed research on photobiomodulation for some reason. Also don't like the conclusion that it won't hurt - anything that has an effect could potentially cause harm. I am both very enthusiastic about the potential for benefits but also wary of potential harms.

Apparently time of day can influence treatment efficacy:

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[Bitsy in reply to Rhyothemis]

Hi Rhyothemis, check out Wellred.com.au Cheers

[saraoutwest]

This is what I use. I love it! I use in the morning wrapped around my head, then laid out flat over my stomach for 20mins. It feels real nice, and I do believe it helps. When I use it consistently my symptoms are better

Red light therapy wrap

[Sane1 in reply to saraoutwest]

Thank you. I was thinking along this line. I believe I have seen these on Amazon. I still wonder if the mode of delivery makes a difference. Prices seem to vary with mode.

[JAS9]

This discussion thread (link below) reports on the results of a small study that looked at improving color vision using 670 nm (deep red) light. One interesting result was that red light therapy done in the mornings showed some improvement, while the same therapy in the afternoon did not. Just shows that there may be other, as yet unknown, factors at play. I've moved my red light session to 8:30 am. I've heard it said that the eyes are like an extension of the brain. I had been feeling that I'd hit a plateau but maybe this will help. healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[Sane1 in reply to JAS9]

Keep us updated on how it is going with your change to mornings. As far as the "other, as yet unknown, factors at play.".. If anyone is interested there is planned another upcoming study "to determine whether light therapy can improve non-motor and motor function in Parkinson's disease, on top of current best medical treatment."clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...

[Bitsy in reply to JAS9]

Hi JAS9, check out redlightsonthebrain.blog/ta... and wellred.com.au

[Bitsy]

Hi Sane 1 another web address is redlightsonthebrain.blog/ta...

[Sane1 in reply to Bitsy]

I’ll check it out. Thank you.