Any successful treatment with red light therapy for peripheral neuropathy?

[1jay]

Hello, I am wondering whether or not it’s worth pursuing some sort of photobiomodulation (red light) therapy as a way of addressing idiopathic peripheral neuropathy which, in my case, means numb feet with burning soles at night. Has anybody had any success with these types of intervention, either through purchasing devices or attending clinics? I am in the UK. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

[4138]

hi there. I too have peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs and feet- absolutely terrible condition. I have had it for years now. This is the first time I have even heard about this treatment. I hope I can read any replies you might get. Chin up, and hope you get some useful response.

[Esperanto]

I am not particularly fond of the term "idiopathic" peripheral neuropathy. Essentially, it means that the cause of your neuropathy is unknown, which is crucial information to have. Most therapies focus on pain management, which is understandable as the pain can be excruciating. However, it is essential to halt the nerve damage to prevent further harm. Don't wait too long because long-term nerve damage (over a year) is usually irreversible.

Once your neuropathy has stabilized, you can explore potential repair options. While infrared therapy also seems to primarily focus on pain management, I don't have personal experience with it, but research suggests that red light therapy may help improve peripheral neuropathy symptoms by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting nerve regeneration. It is thought that the red light stimulates the mitochondria in cells, leading to increased energy production and cellular repair.

A very informative link from doctors doctors who apply this method: “Red Light Therapy for Foot Neuropathy: An Alternative Treatment to Reduce Nerve Pain”

gaithappens.com/red-light-t...

Or by do it yourself at home equipment: “Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy: A Comprehensive Review”

scienlodic.com/blogs/red-li...

One very cost-effective and highly effective method that I have personal experience with is sunlight exposure. Whenever possible, try to expose your legs to the sun. Additionally, combining this with barefoot walks on the beach, particularly on fine sand, can provide incredible therapeutic benefits. ☀️🏖️🍀

[brenanddave]

Hi, I have peripheral neuropathy also and mine is from pernicious anemia. If your doctor doesn't know what is causing yours you may want to go visit the PA and b12 def F/B page. My b12 melabsorbtion went undiagnosed for decades and now I am left with loads of nerve damage. I am SI b12 daily which has fixed many of my symptoms. My feet have been incredably painful over the past week after returning from a cruise and over doing things. I read and tried a solution that actually works silly as it may sound for the pain. I bath my feet in ice water for about 5 or 10 mins and then rub vicks vapour rub on them. Only thing that has been effective. x

[mariootsi]

I tried red light therapy when I went to pt. It didn't help at all. Maybe you will have better luck.

[1jay in reply to mariootsi]

Hello, thanks for responding. Please can you let me know how long you tried the red light therapy for and if you used an at home device. I imagine it would be a long haul to have any success so I am still investigating. Thank you.

[mariootsi in reply to 1jay]

I received red light therapy through my pt sessions. Went a couple of treatments. Pt and red light didn't help me at all

[1jay in reply to mariootsi]

Okay, thanks for your response. I hope you are coping well in some other way.

[mariootsi in reply to 1jay]

I'm not coping well. The pain is horrible.

[1jay in reply to mariootsi]

Oh so sorry. It certainly is a horrible affliction. I wish you well.

[mariootsi in reply to 1jay]

Thank u so much

[JonHU]

I would say that it is a good idea to follow up on whatever remotely promising and reasonable treatments there are. I say this because, for me, it was at least 2 years AFTER milder symptoms appeared that I was finally benefiting from diagnoses (and not with great certainty at first). And by then possibly, irreversible changes had already occurred. Also it is my understanding that it can take years to re-establish longer neural pathways, (from spine to toes, let's say) if at all.

[1jay in reply to JonHU]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Could you please say which treatments you have benefitted from, any experience of red light? I agree that nerves take a long time to regrow, if at all. Hope all is going well for you now.

[JonHU]

Whatever benefits there have been are slight, mostly temporary and sometimes I'm not even sure that they have even kept up with the sometimes progressive nature of the problem.

I'm using a "horse laser" handheld class 3a LLLT device marketed for horses, since the ones marketed towards humans are way too expensive. I use mainly to help with arthritis and plantar fascia scar tissue as a result of gait problems and bad podiatry. It also seems to help with some neuropathic pain, but it is hard to distinguish which aberrant sensations are caused by what condition.

Medical massage has been helpful, but also expensive and not covered by insurance. I would do this a couple of times a week if I could afford it.

[1jay in reply to JonHU]

Hi and thanks for your information. I am now regularly using a red light panel and hoping to see some improvement over long term use. It’s a long shot obviously but at least it lets me feel I am helping myself in some way! Best of luck to you.