Please note! The text below does not serve as medical advice. This text is composed based on our own knowledge, customer experiences and various online sources.
Table of contents
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a common form of joint wear that occurs mainly in older people, but can also affect younger people. In this case, the cartilage in the joint wears away, which causes the bones to rub against each other.
This wear and tear causes pain, stiffness and swelling. Osteoarthritis occurs mainly in heavily loaded joints such as knees, hands (fingers), hips and the spine. The inflammatory processes that arise with osteoarthritis can further damage the joint.
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatism?
Although osteoarthritis and rheumatism cause similar symptoms, such as joint pain and inflammation, the causes are different.
- Rheumatism is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints themselves, causing inflammation.
- Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is caused by wear and tear, overload or genetic factors.
However, both conditions require targeted treatment of joint inflammation and pain relief to improve quality of life.
Infrared for osteoarthritis: How can it help?
Infrared therapy can be a valuable addition for people with osteoarthritis. Infrared light delivers heat directly to the tissue, which offers several advantages.
- Pain Relief : The heat stimulates blood circulation and helps to reduce pain and stiffness.
- Improved freedom of movement : The deep penetrating heat relaxes the tissue, often leading to improved joint mobility.
- Reduction of inflammation : Infrared light can help fight inflammation and promotes regeneration of affected areas.
The pleasant warmth can also help relax the muscles around the joints, reducing the pressure on the joints. When used regularly, infrared therapy can significantly improve the quality of life and freedom of movement in everyday life.
Red light for osteoarthritis: The difference with infrared
Red light therapy , also called photobiomodulation , is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red light (630 and 660 nm) and near-infrared light (830 and 850 nm).
Each wavelength penetrates the skin at a different depth and stimulates specific cell processes. The light in the red and NIR spectrum can penetrate the skin to a depth of approximately 5 to 10 millimeters, which means it can also reach deeper tissue.
Red light therapy offers several advantages for osteoarthritis and rheumatism:
- Promote blood circulation : Red light stimulates blood circulation in the superficial layers of the skin, which can improve the supply of nutrients to the joints.
- Reduction of inflammation : Red light can have an anti-inflammatory effect and support regeneration, which helps to relieve inflammation and joint pain.
- Muscle relaxation : The gentle heat of the red light relaxes the tissue, leading to general relief of the affected joint.
Red light therapy can therefore play an additional role in acute complaints or inflammation to specifically alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms.
Does light therapy have side effects?
Treatment with red and infrared light is considered to be mostly safe . However, like many other therapies, it can lead to certain side effects if used incorrectly.
Caution is advised for people with certain conditions or health problems; they should not use infrared phototherapy. For a detailed explanation, we recommend consulting our detailed file on possible side effects and contraindications.
Additional tips for relieving osteoarthritis symptoms
In addition to infrared and red light therapy, there are other approaches that can help with osteoarthritis:
- Exercise : Regular, gentle exercise helps keep joints flexible. Activities such as swimming or cycling are particularly good.
- Healthy diet: An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and healthy fats can help reduce inflammation in the joints.
- Weight Management : Every extra pound puts pressure on your joints. A healthy weight can reduce the pressure on your joints and thus reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
These complementary approaches, together with light therapy, may help to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve overall quality of life.
